Candidates Emerge As Northport Mayor Donna Aaron Won't Run Again

The eyes of the nation may be on the US Presidential election coming this November, but 2020 is also an election year in Northport, and all five of its city council seats as well as the mayor's office will be open for candidates to seek.

With months to go until the August 25th election, little is set in stone, but one thing is certain -- the city will have a new mayor.

Incumbent Donna Aaron announced on social media Wednesday that she will not seek re-election after one four-year term in office.

Aaron's announcement opens the field for challengers, and two familiar faces have announced their intentions to seek the office.

Bobby Herndon, the former mayor of Northport who lost a runoff election to Aaron by a mere 24 votes in 2016, has said he will seek the office again. Herndon was first elected mayor in 2008 and served two terms before his 2016 defeat.

Dale Phillips, a retired Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy and the former head of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, is also seeking the office. Phillips ran for the Northport City Council's District 5 Seat in 2016, but lost a tight race to current incumbent Jeff Hogg.

Office-seekers cannot formally file their candidacy in Northport until July 7th, with a cutoff of July 21st, so these announcements should be considered unofficial until the paperwork is filed.

For council seats, Christy Diane Bobo has said she will seek the District 1 council seat currently occupied by Tony Roberts. Restauranteur Woodrow Washington said he will challenge incumbent Jay Logan for his District 2 council seat. District 5's Jeff Hogg has said he will seek re-election. More announcements, including which incumbents will run for office again, are expected after the window for qualification opens in July.

Municipal elections in Tuscaloosa will not be held until 2021.

Stay tuned to this site and station for more coverage of the races in Northport as they develop.