Brandon Dean
Brandon W. L. Dean (born February 24, 1992) served briefly as Mayor of Brighton.
Dean attended Hueytown High School and Howard University. He worked on political campaigns in Washington D.C. while in college.
Dean was the apparent winner of Brighton's 2016 mayoral election, but the result was challenged in Circuit Court. As Mayor, Dean worked to repair and reopen city-owned recreation and senior housing facilities, to clear overgrown lots and to address unpaid contracts for services, including waste removal and health insurance for city employees. He issued memoranda to the Brighton Police Department urging reduced enforcement for marijuana possession and reduced cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
After reviewing the ballots from the 2016 election, Judge Eugene Verin struck a number of improper absentee ballots and determined that Dean had not received enough valid votes to avoid a runoff with incumbent Bobbie Watkins, and would have to vacate the office until a runoff could determine a winner. Dean subsequently dropped out of the runoff and announced that he was relocating to Washington D.C. to work for "Show Your Power", a non-profit focusing on ballot justice.
References
- Koplowitz, Howard (September 23, 2016) "Judge orders recount in Brighton municipal elections." The Birmingham News
- Hrynkiw, Ivana (September 25, 2017) "Brighton Mayor Brandon Dean ordered to vacate office, run-off election ordered." The Birmingham News
- Koplowitz, Howard (October 6, 2017) "Brandon Dean won't run in Brighton mayoral runoff as city faces financial hardship." The Birmingham News