Bell Forced Into Runoff

Birmingham Mayor William Bell was forced into a runoff in Tuesday's municipal election, after trailing challenger Randall Woodfin.  With 99% of precincts reporting, Woodfin, the city's former school board president, took 15,656 votes, or 41 percent, to Bell's 14,011, or 37 percent.   The results were a stunning setback for Bell, who has eemayor in 2010.   Bell said the turnout failed to meet expectations.   He also congratulated Woodfin on his showing.   Woodfin said the results portend a "change election."   A largely desultory campaign was shaken up last week, when Bell ordered crews to conceal a Confederate monument in Linn Park.   Opponents accused Bell of pandering, and the move triggered a lawsuit from Alabama's attorney general, who said Bell broke a new state law protecting historical monuments.   Two city council members, Kim Rafferty and Jonathan Austin, were also forced into runoffs.   Austin, the council president, faces challenger Darrell O'Quinn; Rafferty is opposed by Hunter Williams.   The runoffs will be held Oct. 3.


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