2025 Highlighted Victories
Mayor, Anniston, Alabama
In May 2025, Vice Mayor Ciara Smith became the mayor of Anniston, Alabama, after elected leader Jack Draper resigned. Smith’s appointment was historic, as she became the city’s first Black mayor and its youngest at 26. Three months later, Smith ran for reelection against four opponents. It was time to make history again.
New Southern Majority sponsored billboard.
Leading up to the August election, New Southern Majority rented a billboard and ran a text campaign to remind Anniston’s voters to show up for Smith. They did. The former Anniston councilmember won over 57% of the vote, avoiding a runoff and securing her place as the chosen leader of her community.
Congratulations to Mayor Smith and the voters of Anniston!
Mayor, Greenville, Alabama
The city of Greenville, Alabama, had the same mayor for 25 years. Greenville City Councilmember Jae’Ques Brown knew it was time for a change. He ran for mayor against three opponents, including the incumbent, Mayor Dexter McLendon.
Brown secured enough votes in the August 2025 general election to advance to a September runoff against McLendon. That’s where New Southern Majority came in.
New Southern Majority supported Jae’Ques Brown through a texting campaign that reached about 1,800 Greenville voters. In September, Brown won over 58% of the vote.
Brown is Greenville’s first Black mayor and its first new mayor in a quarter of a century. His victory highlights the power of new leadership overcoming the status quo.
Congratulations to Mayor Brown and the voters of Greenville!
Mayor, Prichard, Alabama
The town of Prichard, Alabama, has faced a water and sewage crisis for decades. Local activist Carletta Davis resolved to do something about it. Her activism eventually rocketed her to the White House, where she attended Biden administration summits and convenings on environmental justice.
Then, Donald Trump became president of the United States. The moment demanded more. Davis decided to run for mayor of Prichard in 2025.
Centering the long-standing sewage crisis in her campaign, Davis garnered enough support in the August general election to proceed to a September runoff against the incumbent Mayor Jimmie Gardner, who sought a third term.
New Southern Majority bolstered Davis during her runoff by texting more than 7,000 Prichard voters.
Davis won the runoff with over 2,100 votes, while Gardner received just over 700. With this decisive victory, Carletta Davis became the first Black woman elected mayor of Prichard.
Even before officially taking office, Davis hosted listening sessions with the people of Prichard on the town’s future, showcasing her unwavering commitment to her community.
Congratulations to Mayor Davis and the voters of Prichard!
Mayor, Lake Charles, Louisiana
In early May 2025, Marshall Simien Jr. became the first Black person elected mayor of Lake Charles, Louisiana, in the city’s 250-year history. This was a long-overdue victory for equitable representation in a municipality whose population is 42.8% Black.
Securing this win was no simple feat. Simien’s opponent was the two-term Republican incumbent Nic Hunter, who boasted a well-funded campaign. All signs pointed to Mayor Hunter securing a third term in 2025.
But these kinds of stakes are what New Southern Majority (NSM) was built for.
After devastating natural disasters in 2020, low-income residents of Lake Charles were left stranded in flood-damaged homes, waiting for aid that never came. As their recovery stalled, the city issued condemnation notices while the mayor prioritized private development and the revitalization of Lake Charles’ business and entertainment districts.
Mayor Hunter’s bad policies provided an ample opportunity to remind people that, with the upcoming election, the power for change was in their hands.
NSM launched a full-scale campaign through our Independent Expenditure (IE) program. Mail pieces, digital ads, texts to voters and even volunteer phone banks made sure residents knew it was time to hold their mayor accountable.
Sample of postcard mailed to Lake Charles, Louisiana, voters.
Voters not only made history in May 2025, but they also chose a leader who would prioritize people over profit: Mayor Simien.
The race, however historic, was still extremely close. Only about 650 votes separated the two candidates, and voter turnout was just 32%.
When we say every vote counts, we mean it.
NSM is deeply grateful to have witnessed this election and helped empower Lake Charles voters to take charge of their political destiny. Progressive victories in the Deep South are possible, and Mayor Simien’s victory is proof.
Mayor, Brookhaven, Mississippi
Larry Jointer won his mayoral bid by just 37 votes.
In April 2025, Brookhaven residents who walked or drove down Brookway Boulevard saw a new billboard: LARRY JOINTER FOR MAYOR. Drivers on Highway 51 saw another billboard with the same message.
Where did they come from? Who put them there?
(It was us.)
Brookhaven, Mississippi, has a population of less than 12,000. Its residents are 53.9% Black, but Brookhaven has never had a Black mayor—until now.
Democrat Larry Jointer, a pastor in the community since 1995, won against three-time Republican incumbent Joe Cox in the city’s municipal general election on June 3. Only 37 votes separated the two candidates. And just four years prior, Jointer had lost to Cox by 27 votes.
Billboard in Brookhaven, Mississippi, supporting Larry Jointer’s mayoral bid.
New Southern Majority helped get out the vote for Jointer through the aforementioned billboards, phonebanking, texts and digital ads. We reminded the people of Brookhaven that they have the power to shape their city and create a brighter future for themselves and their children.
Congratulations to Mayor Jointer and the voters of Brookhaven!
Mayor, Horn Lake, Mississippi
Jimmy Stokes II is Horn Lake, Mississippi’s, first Black mayor.
Horn Lake, Mississippi, has a population of about 26,500. Its residents are 45.3% Black. But, like too many other places in the Deep South, Brookhaven has never elected a Black mayor.
Enter Jimmy Stokes II: member of Horn Lake’s Planning Commission since 2017 and New Southern Majority IE candidate.
NSM advertising in support of Jimmy Stokes II.
Republican leadership failed Horn Lake. Utility bills were high, schools were underfunded and there were no real plans to invest in the community. It had been 15 years since Horn Lake elected a new mayor, and it was time for a change.
New Southern Majority uplifted Stokes through phonebanking, text campaigns and digital ads. We reminded Horn Lake that they have the power to change their community for the better… and the first step is to cast their vote.
On June 3, 2025, Jimmy Stokes II won the city’s municipal general election by 83 votes.
Congratulations to Mayor Stokes and the voters of Horn Lake!