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Five things you need to know about Walt Maddox

Walt Maddox won the democratic nomination for governor, with nearly 55 percent of the votes. His closest competitor, former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb held only 28.98 percent of the vote.

But now that the primaries are over, the real battle begins.

Maddox will face against incumbent governor and Republican candidate Kay Ivey in the November 6 general election.

With that in mind, Here’s five things you need to know about Walt Maddox:

5. While at UAB, he was a four-year letterman on the football team.

Maddox attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1991, and played on the college’s football team for four years. In his freshman year 120 players walked on and after four season Maddox was one of only 16 lettermen left.

“I’m very proud of that,” Maddox told the Tuscaloosa news. “I wasn’t that good, but I worked so hard to do it. I feel like I’ve spent my life trying to prove myself. I have this desire within me to do that. It gives me the drive to do well.”

Maddox was invited back in April of 2013 to coach a UAB scrimmage game to raise funds for the victims of the tornados that swept through the state on April 2, 2011 destroying parts of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Not only did the game provide Maddox with a way to help his constituents even more, but he also achieved a life-long dream of his, coaching football.

4. His background is in public education, which is a tradition in his family.

After earning his Bachelors degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration, from UAB, Maddox began his career in public education, a family tradition.

In 1996 Maddox served as a field director for the Alabama Educational Association, until 2001 when he was appointed to be the Executive Director of Personnel for Tuscaloosa City Schools where he served until he was elected as mayor of Tuscaloosa.

3. He garnered national attention for his role in recovery efforts after “tornadoes demolished one-seventh of his city” in 2011.

During his second term as mayor, tragedy struck the city of Tuscaloosa on April 27, when one of the worst tornado outbreaks in U.S. history demolishing one-seventh of the city. The recovery process has been long and hard for the city, but Maddox received national attention for his demeanor and leadership during the process.

“Though Tuscaloosa’s long-term recovery process has had its critics, Maddox emerged from the disaster beloved by his constituents, who saw a young and energetic leader guiding the traumatized community with a steady hand and calm disposition,” said the New York Times.

In commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the tornado that tore through Tuscaloosa, the City – under Mayor Maddox’s leadership – launched the website 5 Yrs Fwd, highlighting how recovery from the disaster has progressed.

2. He is the youngest mayor in the history of the city of Tuscaloosa.

In 2005, longtime Tuscaloosa mayor Al DuPont retired, and Maddox faced against city council member Sammy Watson in the election. The race resulted in a runoff later that year which Maddox won with 54 percent of the vote.

He was only 33 years old when he was elected Mayor of Tuscaloosa, making him the youngest mayor in the history of the city.

1. His favorite hobby is running, and he has completed 9 marathons and several half-marathons.

Running can do wonders for your overall mental health, immune system, and is an excellent stress reliever. Maddox’s favorite hobby is running; he has run nine marathons and several half marathons.

Only .5 percent of the U.S. population has run a full marathon, with even fewer people completing more than one.

Read the article on ALToday.com

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