SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Voters in North Huntsville made a significant change in their municipal runoff election, electing a new city council member and school board representative for District 1.
Michelle Watkins, a former school board member, defeated incumbent Councilor Devyn Keith by almost 400 votes. She earned 54.3% of the vote with 2,278 ballots cast in her favor, while Keith, seeking a third term, garnered 45.6% with 1,910 votes. Watkins had previously served on the Huntsville City Board of Education for eight years, representing the same district.
In the school board race for the seat previously held by Watkins, Chaundra M. Jones won 52.5% of the vote, collecting 2,113 votes to engineer Pat King’s 47.8% and 1,935 votes.
The city council race focused on differing views of North Huntsville’s recent economic growth. Keith emphasized the area’s new home developments and business expansions, while Watkins argued that many long-term residents have not benefited equally from the changes.
Watkins expressed her eagerness to bring more economic development to the district, noting the importance of inclusive growth. “It’s important to me that my community is included and not excluded,” she said, emphasizing the need for discussions with affordable housing managers to avoid displacing residents.
Keith’s campaign was clouded by past legal issues, including a guilty plea to two misdemeanor shoplifting charges from 2023. He also faced scrutiny for operating short-term rental properties violating city ordinances. Despite these challenges, Keith contended that his work on the council was unaffected by his legal matters.
In the initial election on August 27, Watkins had led Keith by just over 300 votes, but neither secured the required 50% majority to win outright. Reggie McKenzie, president of the North Huntsville Business Association, finished third with 9.6%.
In the school board race, Jones, a licensed social worker, and former Huntsville Council PTAs president, led with 39% of the vote, while King received 34%, with two other candidates trailing. Jones expressed gratitude for the voters’ support, acknowledging the significant role she would play in filling Watkins’ shoes. “We want our students to expand and grow,” she said, looking forward to enhancing educational opportunities in the district.
Voter turnout for the runoff election was 10.9%, slightly higher than the 8% turnout in the August municipal election.
Mayor Tommy Battle ran unopposed for his fifth term, while voters in West Huntsville re-elected Councilman John Meredith and School Board Member Carlos Mathews earlier in August.
The vote tallies remain unofficial until canvassed by the council on October 1, after which provisional ballots will be counted. The newly elected officials are set to be sworn in on November 4.
Watkins made history as Huntsville’s first Black female city council member, a milestone she acknowledged in her victory speech. In it, she called for unity among her constituents. “We must be united and not divided,” she said, pledging to serve all citizens of District 1.
While her victory is notable, it comes amid Keith’s vulnerability due to his legal troubles. Watkins, already a well-known and vocal leader in the community, was poised to capitalize on the incumbent’s weakened position, making her triumph less of a surprise.
