Hoover City Council President Gene Smith on Wednesday announced that he is running against first-term incumbent Mayor Frank Brocato, who is seeking reelection at the helm of Alabama’s sixth-most populated city.
Smith made the announcement in a launch video on Facebook. He will hold a campaign launch reception Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. on the first floor of The Offices at Riverchase Galleria. Smith has already launched a campaign website, as well.
According to a campaign press release, Smith and his wife, Pam, are lifelong residents of Hoover.
He has served on the city council since 2004.
“Hoover is great because its citizens are great,” Smith stated. “I believe investing in our citizens is necessary to take Hoover to the next level.”
After graduating from Hoover City Schools in 1975, Smith reportedly went on to become a firefighter with the Hoover Volunteer Fire Department, where he was promoted to captain in 1985. He is also a business owner.
Smith and his wife have three children — twin daughters and one son — who have blessed them with five grandchildren.
In a Wednesday statement, Brocato responded to the challenger’s launch video.
“I look forward to meeting Mr. Smith on the campaign trail to compare my record to his, so the voters can make the best choice for Hoover next August,” the mayor said.
“Hoover has a world-class education system, nationally-recognized safety record, significant job growth and great quality of life. As Mayor, I work every day to continue to improve what we already have and prepare our city for the future,” Brocato added.
When elected in 2016, Brocato became the first-ever paramedic and fire marshal to serve as Hoover’s mayor.
At that time, he held the title of being the longest-serving member of the Hoover Fire Department (42 years). Brocato began his career with the fire department in early 1973 as a volunteer firefighter and retired from his position as chief fire marshal in February 2015.
Hoover’s municipal elections will be held August 25, 2020.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
