Steven Reed

Steven Reed
Birthplace	Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama
Known for	First African American mayor of Montgomery, Alabama

Steven L. Reed is an American politician serving as the Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama. He made history as the first African American elected to the office of mayor in Montgomery, a city that played a central role in the American civil rights movement. Reed, a member of the Democratic Party, previously served as a judge on the Montgomery County Probate Court. His tenure as mayor has been defined by efforts to address public safety, economic development, and infrastructure in Alabama's capital city, while also navigating contentious political dynamics with state-level Republican officials. Reed's election in 2019 was seen as a significant moment in the history of Montgomery, a city where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in 1955 and where the Selma to Montgomery marches concluded in 1965. As mayor, Reed has faced challenges including gun violence, hospital closures, and debates over the role of state government in municipal affairs.

Early Life

Steven Reed grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, a city steeped in the history of the civil rights movement. His father, Joe L. Reed, is a prominent figure in Alabama Democratic politics who served for decades as a leader within the Alabama Democratic Conference, the state's largest Black political organization. Growing up in this environment, Steven Reed was exposed to politics and civic engagement from a young age. Montgomery, as the first capital of the Confederacy and later a focal point of the civil rights struggle, provided a complex backdrop for Reed's upbringing. The city's history — from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the Freedom Rides — shaped the political culture in which Reed was raised.

Career

Montgomery County Probate Judge

Before entering the mayoral race, Steven Reed served as a probate judge in Montgomery County. In this capacity, he oversaw matters related to wills, estates, and other probate court functions. His time on the bench provided him with experience in public administration and legal proceedings, and gave him a public profile in the Montgomery community that would later support his mayoral campaign.

Election as Mayor of Montgomery

In 2019, Steven Reed ran for mayor of Montgomery and won, becoming the first African American to hold the office in the city's nearly 200-year history. The election was regarded as a landmark event, given Montgomery's role as a crucible of the civil rights movement. Reed's victory came in a city where the population is majority African American, but where no Black candidate had previously been elected mayor. His campaign focused on themes of unity, public safety, and economic development.

Tenure as Mayor

Public Safety

A recurring challenge during Reed's tenure as mayor has been the issue of public safety, particularly gun violence in Montgomery. In October 2025, a mass shooting occurred in downtown Montgomery, drawing statewide attention and prompting responses from both Reed and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. Reed issued a public response to a statement from Governor Ivey regarding the incident, reflecting tensions between the mayor's office and the state government over how to address violent crime in the city.

The issue of crime in Montgomery has become a politically charged subject, with Republican commentators and state officials calling for more aggressive law enforcement measures. A February 2026 opinion column in 1819 News, written by Katherine Robertson, argued that "Republicans want to save Montgomery" while "Democrats say it doesn't need saving." The column stated that "if Reed wants the state to stay out of his city's business, then he should immediately admit he has a problem and publicly embrace a pro-law" enforcement approach. This commentary illustrates the broader political dynamics surrounding Reed's administration, with state-level Republicans frequently criticizing the Democratic mayor's handling of crime in Montgomery.

Reed has maintained that the city is taking steps to address public safety and has pushed back against what he has characterized as outside interference in municipal governance. The tension between the mayor's office and the state government reflects a pattern seen in other states where Republican-controlled legislatures have clashed with Democratic mayors of major cities over issues of crime, policing, and local autonomy.

Jackson Hospital Veto

In October 2025, Reed drew significant attention when he vetoed a city council resolution aimed at helping Jackson Hospital, a Montgomery medical facility facing bankruptcy. The resolution had been unanimously approved by the city council, making the mayor's veto a notable act of executive authority against the wishes of the full council.

Reed subsequently released a statement explaining his reasons for the veto. According to reporting by WSFA, the mayor outlined concerns about the resolution and its implications for the city's finances and governance responsibilities. The Office of Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed provided additional explanation for the veto, detailing the administration's rationale for opposing the council's effort to assist the struggling hospital.

The Jackson Hospital situation highlighted the broader challenges facing healthcare infrastructure in Montgomery and across Alabama. Hospital closures and financial distress have affected many communities in the state, particularly in areas with large uninsured populations. Reed's decision to veto the resolution, despite its unanimous passage, demonstrated his willingness to exercise executive authority even in the face of unified council opposition, and sparked debate about the city's role in supporting struggling healthcare institutions.

State of the City Address (2026)

In February 2026, Reed previewed his upcoming State of the City address in a media appearance on WSFA. During the preview, the mayor discussed topics that would be covered in the address, reflecting the priorities of his administration as it continued into its second term or later years in office. The State of the City address is an annual occasion for Montgomery's mayor to outline accomplishments, ongoing challenges, and future plans for the city government.

Relations with State Government

A defining feature of Reed's tenure has been the friction between his administration and the Republican-controlled Alabama state government. As a Democratic mayor of a predominantly African American city in a deeply conservative state, Reed has found himself at the center of recurring disputes over the extent of state authority in municipal affairs. Republican officials and commentators have criticized Reed's handling of crime and other issues in Montgomery, while Reed and his supporters have argued that the state should respect local governance and not seek to override the decisions of elected city officials.

This dynamic mirrors conflicts in other Southern states, where Republican legislatures have passed preemption laws or taken other steps to limit the authority of Democratic-led cities on issues ranging from policing to gun control to public health. In Montgomery's case, the city's unique historical significance as a birthplace of the civil rights movement adds an additional layer of symbolism to these political battles.

Personal Life

Steven Reed resides in Montgomery, Alabama. His father, Joe L. Reed, has been a prominent figure in Alabama Democratic politics and in the leadership of the Alabama Democratic Conference. Beyond these publicly documented details, Reed has maintained a degree of privacy regarding his personal and family life.

Legacy

Steven Reed's election as the first African American mayor of Montgomery, Alabama, represents a historic milestone for a city that occupies a central place in the narrative of the American civil rights movement. Montgomery, where Rosa Parks's act of defiance on a city bus helped launch the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, and where Martin Luther King Jr. led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in its early years, had never before elected a Black mayor prior to Reed's 2019 victory. The symbolism of this achievement has been noted extensively in local, state, and national media coverage.

Reed's tenure has also underscored the ongoing political and social challenges facing Montgomery and similar cities across the American South. Issues of public safety, healthcare access, economic opportunity, and the relationship between city and state governments remain central to the governance of Montgomery. Reed's navigation of these challenges, including his high-profile veto of the Jackson Hospital resolution and his responses to mass shooting incidents, has defined his administration and contributed to broader conversations about urban governance in Alabama.

As of early 2026, Reed continues to serve as mayor and to engage with both local and state-level political figures on matters affecting Montgomery's residents. His administration's trajectory and ultimate legacy will continue to be shaped by events in the city and the political environment of the state.