Lashunda Scales

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

American politician (born 1971)

‹ The template Infobox officeholder is being considered for merging. ›

Preceded byGeorge Bowman

Born (1971-02-17) February 17, 1971 (age 55)

EducationStillman College
Jefferson State Community College

Lashunda Scales
Scales in 2025

Member of the Jefferson County Commission from the 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office November 13, 2018
Preceded by	George Bowman
Member of the Birmingham City Council from the 1st district
In office 2009 – November 13, 2018

Personal details
Born	(1971-02-17) February 17, 1971 (age 55)
Party	Democratic
Education	Stillman College Jefferson State Community College

Lashunda Scales (born February 17, 1971)^[1] is an American politician who has served on the Jefferson County, Alabama, Commission since 2018. A member of the Alabama Democratic Party, she previously served on the Birmingham City Council from 2009 to 2018. She unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Birmingham in 2021 and 2025.

Scales attended Stillman College, where she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.^[2] She also attended Jefferson State Community College, where she received an associate degree in applied science.^[3]

Career

Birmingham City Council

Scales first ran for city council in 2009, against incumbent Joel Montgomery.^[4] She went on to defeat Montgomery in the election.^[5] In 2013, she was charged with two felony indictments and six counts of using her position for personal gain and voter intimidation. The charges came from a 2011 ethics complaint by a former business associate.^[6] She agreed to a plea deal, and was placed on probation.^[7]

In 2014, she demanded that the Railroad Park Foundation director resign following an argument.^[8] She resigned her position in 2018 after being elected to the Jefferson County Commission.^[9]

Jefferson County Commission

Scales defeated incumbent commissioner George Bowman in a primary runoff election in July 2018.^[10] She faced no opposition in the November general election.^[11] In 2023, she voted to extend the county's support for the Magic City Classic for another year, though she had hoped to pass a three-year extension.^[12]

Mayoral campaigns

Scales launched her first campaign for mayor of Birmingham in January 2021.^[13] She was defeated by incumbent mayor Randall Woodfin on August 24, finishing in second place and receiving 20% of the vote.^[14]

She launched her second campaign in May 2025, stating that "help is on the way."^[15] She was again defeated by Woodfin on August 26, finishing in second place and receiving 14% of the vote. She conceded the race, but expressed concerns with the voting machines in her concession speech.^[16]

References

↑ "Lashunda Scales". BirminghamWatch. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ "Biography - Commissioner Lashunda Scales (District 1)". Jefferson County, Alabama. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ MacDonald, John A. (August 12, 2009). "Birmingham City Council elections: District 1 candidate Lashunda Scales". AL.com. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Sims, Bob (August 12, 2009). "Birmingham City Council elections: Incumbent Joel Montgomery to face 5 challengers in District 1". AL.com. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Crenshaw Jr., Solomon (August 13, 2021). "Scales Driven to Run After Watching Government in Action". BirminghamWatch. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Bryant, Joseph D. (June 4, 2013). "Birmingham City Councilwoman Lashunda Scales charged with ethics, voter violations (updated)". AL.com. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Bryant, Joseph D. (June 20, 2013). "Birmingham Councilwoman Lashunda Scales accepts plea bargain, avoids felony charges & retains office". AL.com. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Bryant, Joseph D. (April 26, 2014). "Birmingham councilwoman demands immediate removal of Railroad Park director after heated exchange". AL.com. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Price, Jamiese (August 16, 2018). "Birmingham City Council could have new look after resignation". WBRC. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Crenshaw Jr., Solomon (July 18, 2018). "A Major Shake-Up for the Jefferson County Commission: Tyson and Scales Snare Nominations, Assuring a Majority of New Members in the Fall". BirminghamWatch. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Koplowitz, Howard (November 6, 2018). "Jefferson County election results: Sheriff Mike Hale concedes to Democrat Mark Pettway". AL.com. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Crenshaw Jr., Solomon (February 23, 2023). "JeffCo Commission Agrees to Support Magic City Classic for 1 Year, Will Consider Longer Contract Later". BirminghamWatch. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Crenshaw Jr., Solomon (January 18, 2021). "Scales Announces Bid for Mayor". BirminghamWatch. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Wilson, Haley (August 26, 2021). "What's Next For Jeffco Commissioner Lashunda Scales". The Birmingham Times. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Bryant, Joseph D. (May 27, 2025). "Jefferson County Commissioner confirms she's running for mayor of Birmingham: 'Help is on the way'". AL.com. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ Posey, Sym (August 29, 2025). "Runner-up Lashunda Scales Raises Concerns About Voting Machines in Birmingham Mayor's Race". The Birmingham Times. Retrieved 8 January 2026.

External links

Lashunda Scales at Ballotpedia

v t e Political officials of Jefferson County, Alabama
County government	Jackie Anderson-Smith, Circuit Clerk Danny Carr, District Attorney Mark Pettway, Sheriff Gaynell Hendricks, Tax Assessor J. T. Smallwood, Tax Collector Angela Webb Weinberg, Treasurer
County Commission	Lashunda Scales, District 1 Sheila Tyson, District 2 Jimmie Stephens (chair), District 3 Joe Knight, District 4 Mike Bolin, District 5

Birmingham City Council

Jefferson County Commission

Mayoral campaigns

Related Articles