Huntsville mayor headed for 5th term after no one qualifies to run against him

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The City of Huntsville will not see a change in leadership for the 16th straight year after Mayor Tommy Battle was the only candidate to qualify for the upcoming August election.

The city council voted to declare Battle as the mayoral winner during its meeting on Thursday night.

Huntsville citizens originally elected the 68-year-old in 2008, and Battle has held the position ever since. Battle has been reelected four times, most recently in 2020 when he netted nearly 80% of the vote.

The final date candidates could qualify for the municipal election was June 25, and Battle was the only candidate to do so.

“I am humbled and honored at the opportunity to continue serving this great city,” said Mayor Battle. “Council’s action gives us a chance to get a jump start on preparations for the coming term, to meet with our administration and be ready to start out of the gates quickly.”

City councils can declare an ‘unopposed municipal candidate’ as the winner after proper certification under state law in order to save resources and avoid using taxpayer dollars to open polls in unaffected precincts or districts.

Battle announced his intent to seek reelection during a kick-off event last October and promised growth will continue in Huntsville in ways that are both manageable and measurable. In that kick-off event, Battle said he intends to continue to focus on education, community investment and responsible government spending.

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Throughout his time as mayor, Battle has served Huntsville on a platform of job and economic development, improving infrastructure, and government fiscal management, among others.

Battle’s fifth term will officially begin on November 4.

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