'Decided this right out of high school': 18-year-old Brandon Moss launches bid for Mayor of Alabama's Fairfield
Just weeks after receiving his diploma from Ramsay High School, 18-year-old Brandon Moss is charting a bold new course—running for mayor of his hometown of Fairfield.
Moss, the youngest candidate in a crowded race, is vying to succeed current mayor Eddie Penny, who is not seeking re-election.
The city's municipal elections are scheduled for August 26.
'I decided to do this right out of high school because I felt like I could be the change that I want to see in my city,' Moss told AL.com, speaking from outside a long-abandoned shopping center—a symbol, he said, of Fairfield's chronic neglect.
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Dressed in a suit and tie as he canvasses neighbourhoods, Moss stands out among his peers enjoying a typical summer break.
But for the teenager, the work has already begun.
'Fairfield for far too long has not had an innovative thinker,' Moss said. 'We need somebody who is able to connect our next generations and our past generations.'
The city of Fairfield, located just west of Birmingham, has faced major challenges in recent decades, including widespread disinvestment, vacant properties, high crime, and a declining population. Once home to thriving retail hubs, Fairfield now struggles with a shrinking tax base and relies on the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to bolster its under-resourced police force.
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According to 2024 Census estimates, the city's population stands at around 9,500 and continues to fall.
Despite the obstacles, Moss remains optimistic about Fairfield's future. His campaign will officially launch Saturday at a rally outside the same shuttered shopping center he toured earlier—located at 6550 Aaron Aronov Drive.
'I've seen the buildings fall apart,' Moss said. 'If we look through Fairfield, we see nothing but abandoned buildings where there could be something else.'
Moss envisions revitalizing the city by holding property owners accountable, engaging residents in surveys to understand their needs, and actively recruiting long-term businesses. He cited the recent opening of Carver Jones Market, the city's first fresh food market in nearly a decade, as an example of what's possible.
'This is not a job about glorification,' he said. 'It's about how I can help the people.'
Moss plans to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the fall, majoring in political science and public administration—fields he believes will complement his leadership goals.
Though his age has raised eyebrows, Moss is undeterred.
'Age doesn't guarantee wisdom or innovation,' he said.
His campaign manager, Marilyn Yelder, admitted she was initially skeptical but ultimately joined his team after witnessing his commitment firsthand.
Other candidates in the race include Councilmen Herman Carnes and Cedric Norman, former Midfield councilman James Reasor, and financial consultant Michael Williams.
If elected, Moss said his early priorities would focus on improving city infrastructure, tackling urban blight, and addressing Fairfield's financial challenges. He emphasized the importance of community engagement throughout.
'I want to talk to my citizens. I want to know what they need in their city,' he said. 'It's not about me. It's about the citizens.'
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