Can a Woman or Person of Color Be Elected Mayor of Tuscaloosa?

This morning, on our sister station 95.3 The Bear, area businessman Stan Pate took to the air with special guests Tuscaloosa District 7 Councilwoman Sonya McKinstry and contracting professional Robert Amason to discuss the future of the McFarland Mall property. Check it out.

During the conversation, it was divulged that the property would be developed into an entertainment and sports complex, complete with a 1,500 vehicle parking deck, concert venue, and more.

However, part of the conversation that can’t go without mention is the question of whether Councilwoman McKinstry would consider a run for mayor.

Pate did mention that he would provide financial backing for a qualified mayoral candidate, but let’s take a look into that idea for a moment.

There have been numerous conversations concerning the lack of advancement in particular areas of the city and how certain policies adversely affect some demographics. So, displeasure with city leadership has been vocalized. In fact, some pushed for Darryl McKinstry (the councilwoman’s husband who has served the city in numerous capacities) to run for mayor. He did not express a desire for that seat but did run a write-in campaign for the Tuscaloosa County Commission and gathered over 3,000 votes.

It is worth noting that the condition of the McFarland Mall property had been a topic for quite some time and that Pate has a reputation for being a bit stubborn—as he CAN be as long as he is the owner of his properties. There is no pushover in Stan Pate.

However, Councilwoman McKinstry was able to make a proposal and lay out a plan that made sense to the developer to the degree that he made a special announcement concerning what was about to happen.

Apparently, McKinstry is skilled at negotiation… As the wisest of women are. Older generations often contend that good women are able to give a man an idea in such a way that he believes it’s his.

Now, the councilwoman has not thrown her hat into the ring as having a desire to lead the city; but there is a question which lingers: Would Tuscaloosa support a qualified person of color to lead the city? Are politics run by race more than platforms?

An equally important question comes to mind: Would the city support a qualified woman in a run for mayor?

What are your thoughts?