Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed trails Montgomery County Probate Judge J.C. Love by more than nine points in a head-to-head matchup, 46.6% to 37.5%, according to a Cygnal poll of 400 likely city voters obtained by the Alabama Political Reporter.
The survey, shared anonymously with APR, was conducted August 17-18 by the Montgomery-based Republican polling firm and carries a margin of error of 4.88%. The municipal election is in August 2027.
Half of respondents, 50% to 43%, said they would vote for someone other than Reed. A plurality, 47% to 41%, said the city is headed in the wrong direction. APR reported Love’s net favorability was “significantly higher” than Reed’s.
In a five-candidate field, Reed led with 34.6% to Love’s 26.1%, with nearly 20% undecided. Anthony Brock, who operates Valiant Cross Academy, City Councilman Andrew Szymanski and 2023 mayoral candidate Barrett Gilbreath each drew less than 7%, and none of the three reached 30% against Reed one-on-one. More than 47% of respondents had never heard of Szymanski, a sitting councilman. More than half had never heard of Gilbreath, who lost to Reed three years ago.
Crime was the top concern for 44.5% of respondents. Education was second at 12.6%.
Reed has spent the past year trading shots with state Republicans over crime in the Capital City.
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Reed, who won in 2019 and 2023, told APR multiple polls were taken and brushed this one off.
“Polls one year out (from an election) really don’t mean a whole lot,” Reed said. “It’s my understanding that multiple polls were done and if one came and showed one elected official ahead or not—that’s that poll. For me, we’re focused on the people of Montgomery and doing the work of the city. There’ll be a time for campaigning, but right now, we’ve got big issues ahead of us, such as the budget, saving a hospital, (increasing) public safety, reducing crime in our community and getting through a generational investment in our city. So we’ll let the political prognosticators discuss polls 11 months out. We’ll focus on the people of Montgomery and we’ll worry about campaigning when that time comes.”
Love was one of Reed’s opponents in the 2019 mayor’s race.
That November, Governor Kay Ivey appointed him to the probate judgeship Reed vacated when he took office at City Hall.
Love was re-elected in 2024. He told APR he has not decided whether to run for mayor.
“Montgomery residents approach me every day, and most of them share the exact same concerns—crime remains out of control, they feel unsafe, and areas of the city that were once filled with successful businesses and vibrant neighborhoods are falling into disrepair and being abandoned at an alarming rate,” Love said.
“They worry that if Montgomery continues in its current direction, Maxwell and Gunter and the jobs and tax base they provide could soon move elsewhere.”
“The folks who talk to me are looking for someone to step forward with strong leadership, a bold plan, and the grit and courage to make it happen,” Love said. “I’m listening to what they have to say, I’m considering their concerns, and I’m currently deciding how I can best serve our community going forward and help reverse Montgomery’s decline.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
