Ben Short has been elected the new mayor of Trussville, defeating J.T. Smallwood and Lisa Bright in Tuesday’s municipal election and signaling a clear call for new leadership across the city’s government.
Short secured 3,477 votes (51.76%) to win outright, avoiding a runoff. Smallwood received 1,768 votes (26.32%) and Bright earned 1,473 votes (21.93%).
“I’m just extremely grateful,” Short said Tuesday night. “I love this community. I’ve been extremely blessed by this, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve them for the next four years.”
Short, who currently serves on the City Council, said the results reflect residents’ focus on accountability and long-term planning.
“I think it means Trussville desires communication, and they really believe that controlled growth and strategic growth is important,” he said. “That’s really it.”
Among his first priorities as mayor, Short said he plans to lead a full update of subdivision regulations and design standards to help manage the city’s rapid growth.
“If we get those in place, that’ll slow the growth to the rate at which we need, in order to ensure we’re not putting additional strain on our school system,” he said.
Short also pledged to improve transparency and fiscal education through monthly public updates.
“There’s a lot of confusion in municipal finance,” he said. “It’s not the same as everyday business. So I think educating the general public and getting that information to them is going to be key.”
New council elected
Voters also selected five City Council members, including several new faces:
Place 1: Ben Horton defeated Wayne Taylor with 4,364 votes (68.22%) to 2,033 (31.78%).
Place 3: Jaime Melton Anderson won with 4,430 votes (69.16%) over Leslee Hughes’ 1,975 (30.84%).
Place 4: Jim Miller narrowly held off Mildred Reed with 3,428 votes (52.98%) to 3,042 (47.02%).
Place 5: Kimberly Farr earned 3,913 votes (58.74%) against Anthony Montalto’s 2,748 (41.26%).
The newly elected mayor and council will begin their terms amid continued residential and commercial growth, with a focus on planning, infrastructure and responsive government.
