Steven Reed 'thinking about' Montgomery mayoral bid

Steven Reed is a definite maybe for Montgomery’s mayoral race next year. 

“I’m thinking about it right now,” the Montgomery County probate judge said Monday, following a press conference with Democratic gubernatorial nominee Walt Maddox. “I’ll probably come up with a decision in the next few months.”

Reed, first elected probate judge in 2012, is running unopposed for re-election in November. Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, who has served in that office since 2009, does not plan to seek re-election when his term expires in 2019. That could set off a scramble for the position, as Reed acknowledged Wednesday.

“In a city such as this, with so many issues that we’re dealing with, there are a lot of people who are capable and able,” he said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of interest, whether you’re an elected official, whether you’re a grassroots community leader, or whether you’re in the private sector, from people who think they may have the best ideas to pull this city forward.”

As probate judge, Reed supported efforts to create a mental health crisis center to get those with mental illness treatment. He was also an outspoken opponent of then-Chief Justice Roy Moore’s attempts to stop same-sex marriage in Alabama in 2015, following a federal judge’s order striking down state bans on the practice. 

More recently, Reed found himself in a bitter controversy when Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, alleged that his ballot for July's runoff in Senate District 26 had been altered to show he voted in the Republican primary and prevent him from voting in the Democratic runoff for Senate District 26, where he was a candidate. Reed called the allegations “misguided and factually incorrect.” The Secretary of State’s office later blamed human error for the mistakes; other voters’ ballots were also altered. Knight was able to cast a ballot on his second attempt.

Among other factors, Reed said he was weighing “whether I can make a positive impact in the position and move the community forward.”

“I really like the fact we’re able to help people in a lot of different areas,” he said. “But I’m wondering if I can do a little bit more from the mayor’s position.”