This page features official press releases, media coverage, and community updates from the campaign to elect Joshua Brown for Mayor of Bay Minette.
From local events to key policy positions, you’ll find the news and narratives shaping this movement straight from the source.
Bay Minette Accountability – Today, the Josh Brown for Mayor campaign issued a strong call for accountability and an open public debate, asserting that the incumbent mayor, Bob Wills, has repeatedly refused to engage with the community he was elected to serve or respond to the concerns they continue to raise. Campaign Manager Barbara Brown stated that the campaign has reached out to Mayor Wills on three separate occasions over the course of a week for an open public debate, receiving no response.
"The Citizens of Bay Minette deserve answers," declared challenger Joshua Brown. Brown highlighted concerns that Mayor Wills is allegedly "using his personal resources as well as city resources to flex as though he is doing great things for the city". This sentiment echoes past election cycles in 2016 and 2020, where "all these promises of what was coming to Bay Minette" were made. According to Brown, many of those promises were never kept. “Half of them weren’t true. Half of them were just more empty promises to remain in power.”
A key point of contention is the lack of transparency regarding taxpayer dollars. The Josh Brown Campaign questions why the mayor is "trying to flex his muscle and use taxpayer dollars to stay in power" instead of being more accountable to the people of Bay Minette. Furthermore, the establishment of a new entity, the "Bay Minette Development Group LLC," on July 18th, which is reportedly "moving forward with some of these new proposed projects to be implemented in Bay Minette," has raised questions about its transparency and purpose. Many people in Bay Minette question the timing of this new entity and ask, “Why now,” as opposed to the past 13 years of this current administration.
The Josh Brown campaign is demanding an open debate to discuss vital issues facing Bay Minette. These issues include public safety, funding for our police department, EMS, and fire department, as well as funding for water infrastructure. Additionally, they seek answers regarding the city’s business permits and licensing department, particularly addressing "why are there so many hurdles seemingly thrown in the way of new businesses trying to start up" and why new businesses "can't open on time due to certain licensing requirements that are allegedly unknown or additional work that has to be completed which stalls out the new business and causes them to expend more capital expenses". Bringing new businesses and corporations into Bay Minette is great; however, we must also support the small business owners we currently have if we want to see true growth in our city.
"Bob Wills is refusing to answer questions that the people are asking," Brown emphasized. Brown sees campaign season in Bay Minette as "the perfect opportunity to give true, honest answers, to be transparent, and to be accountable to the people who you are supposed to be serving”. Brown laments that "it is not happening," asserting that voices are being stifled, and people are being ignored while their "tax dollars" are spent. The community also expresses concern about potentially losing places where children currently play.
The Josh Brown for Mayor Campaign urges Mayor Wills to "listen to the people of Bay Minette for once”. Brown's message remains clear: "Our Voice. Our Campaign. Our Change.".
BAY MINETTE, AL - Joshua O. Brown, a lifelong Baldwin County resident and community advocate, officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of Bay Minette on July 5th, 2025. Brown is challenging incumbent Mayor Bob Wills, who has held the office for 13 years.
Raised in the Baptist churches of Baldwin County, Brown brings with him a deep love for his hometown and a heartfelt desire to restore its promise. “I’ve watched Bay Minette begin to thrive in my lifetime—and I’ve also watched it decline,” Brown said. “Over the past 13 years, we’ve lost key manufacturing like Standard Furniture, watched local businesses come and go, and seen our population shrink from 9,200 in 2020 to 8,500 in 2024. Yet we’re still being told that we’re growing.”
Brown believes Bay Minette’s potential is being stifled under the current administration, which he says has failed to invest in its people, workforce, infrastructure, and future.
“Growth without local inclusion isn’t true growth,” Brown said. “We’re watching jobs at Novelis and other major employers go to folks from outside our city—not because our people don’t want to work, but because they haven’t been given the tools, training, and access they need. Our current leadership is more focused on
excuses than on action.”
Brown is calling for an administration that prioritizes workforce development, tackles long-standing infrastructure issues such as drainage and road repair, and ensures Bay Minette residents—regardless of district location, income, or background—have access to opportunity. He’s also critical of what he calls a
culture of misinformation and false promises from the current administration.
“There’s no timeline for the shopping center. No timeline for the proposed Circle Ks. No timeline for real change,” Brown said. “We need less talk and more truth.”
But economic stagnation isn’t the only issue. Public safety has also become a growing concern. Bay Minette’s crime rate—including violent crime—is higher than both the state and national averages.
“We cannot build a thriving city on a foundation of fear,” said Brown. “Gun violence, theft, and drug-related activity are growing threats. Families deserve to feel safe in their homes, our seniors deserve peace in their neighborhoods, and our young people deserve alternatives to the streets.”
Brown believes the city’s current administration has failed to take these concerns seriously and has not invested adequately in community policing, youth engagement, or crime prevention initiatives.
Brown’s platform emphasizes transparency, servant leadership, and restoring faith in local government. He pledges to fight for small business growth, create youth engagement programs, and provide better resources and support for seniors, people with disabilities, and underserved communities.
“I’m not running for office to gain status or keep the powerful in power. I’m running for the single mother who’s tired of broken promises, for the young man who wants a career, not just a job, for the business owner who’s afraid to speak up,” Brown said. “If we want to talk about draining the swamp, we have one right here in Bay Minette—and it’s time we clean it out.”
Brown notes that his campaign is not about political party labels, but about restoring integrity and delivering results for everyday people.
“This election is bigger than Democrat or Republican. It’s about building a Bay Minette that works for all of us,” he said. “Whether you vote for me or not, if I’m elected mayor, I’ll be fighting for you. This is a Bay Minette First campaign.
Brown concluded his announcement by calling on voters to reclaim their voice, take ownership of the city’s future, and unite for a common cause: the revitalization of Bay Minette.
“We are the county seat. We are the heart of Baldwin County. It’s time we led by example. No more lies. No more status quo. The people of Bay Minette deserve better—and I intend to deliver.”
Joshua Brown for Mayor Campaign Kicks Off with Overwhelming Community Support
Candidate Pledges New Era of Transparency, Economic Growth, and Public Safety for Bay Minette
BAY MINETTE, AL – July 13, 2025 – The Joshua Brown for Mayor campaign officially launched its "Meet the Candidate" kickoff event on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Douglasville School of Arts & Recreation, drawing a significant and diverse crowd eager for new leadership in Bay Minette.
Under a festive red, white, and blue decorated pavilion, residents of all ages gathered to hear Joshua Brown outline his vision for a revitalized Bay Minette. The event, which included a warm welcome from Campaign Manager Barbara Brown, a powerful prayer by Deacon Eddie Brown, and a spirited Pledge of Allegiance led by Kaleb Beauchamp, demonstrated a strong sense of community and enthusiasm for change.
"It was truly heartwarming to see so many familiar faces and hopeful hearts united today," said Joshua Brown, a lifelong resident of Bay Minette, addressing the enthusiastic crowd. "For too long, our city has been asking for change, and today, we begin the journey to be the willing vessel for that change. Our Voice, Our Campaign, Our Change – that's not just a slogan; it's a promise to build a city where everyone has a seat at the table."
Brown emphasized his core platform, which includes:
Driving Economic Growth: Addressing the city’s stagnant growth and high poverty rate by supporting local businesses, attracting new investments, and creating better-paying jobs with benefits right here in Bay Minette.
Enhancing Public Safety: Combating the alarming rise in violent crime by implementing community policing initiatives and intervening to protect Bay Minette’s youth.
Promoting Transparent Leadership: Pledging an end to "decisions made behind closed doors" and ensuring open communication through modern tools, restoring public trust and fiscal responsibility.
Investing in Youth Initiatives: Creating safe spaces and opportunities beyond traditional sports to foster the success and well-being of the city's young people.
Ms. Golden Gray, Josh Brown’s former 8th-grade social studies teacher and a respected community leader, introduced Brown, calling him "a true son of Bay Minette, a dedicated community leader, and the next mayor of our great city."
Attendees enjoyed a lively fellowship with food and refreshments, and actively engaged with campaign volunteers at tables for yard sign distribution, merchandise, voter registration, and volunteer sign-ups. The positive atmosphere reflected a deep desire within the community for fresh ideas and a new direction.
The general municipal election for Mayor of Bay Minette is set for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
About Joshua Brown:
Joshua Brown is a lifelong resident of Bay Minette, Alabama. He holds a bachelor's degree and an MBA from the University of South Alabama. With over a decade of experience in business development and technology, including roles as Director of Sales at Local IT, LLC, and leadership positions with the Mobile Area Black Chamber of Commerce and Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Brown brings a robust professional background. He is deeply committed to his community, serving as a youth counselor, mentoring in local schools, and leading financial and technology literacy seminars.
The campaign invites all citizens to learn more about Joshua Brown's vision for Bay Minette by visiting joshbrownformayor.com and following the "Joshua Brown For Mayor Campaign" on social media.
BAY MINETTE, AL - Lifelong resident and seasoned business professional, Joshua Brown, officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Bay Minette, promising a transformational leadership focused on economic revitalization, enhanced public safety, and robust youth initiatives.
Brown, with over a decade of experience in business development and technology, including his roles at Local IT, LLC, and JBB Consulting, LLC, stated his platform is built on SMART economic goals-Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely objectives. He highlighted a concerning "0% net economic growth from 2013 to 2023" under the current administration, noting that new businesses have merely offset departures like Standard Furniture.
"It's time for fresh ideas and bold, business-minded solutions," Brown declared. His administration will prioritize strengthening local businesses and aggressively attracting new industries for job creation, leveraging city resources and partnerships with entities like the North Baldwin Chamber and BEDA. A key initiative includes hiring dedicated staff and forming a committee to secure grant funding for workforce development. Brown will also employ measures to bolster underutilized resources like the Career Tech Center to benefit all residents.
In addtion, Brown has addressed the "dramatic rise in Bay Minette's crime rate over the past 20 months," pledging to create a "safer, stronger, and more vibrant city" by addressing root causes of violence and ensuring community security. He emphasized his commitment to youth, vowing to "develop new initiatives and safe spaces" beyond sports and promoting programs for scholarships.
Infrastructure and transparency are also central to Brown's vision. He committed to "beautifying and revitalizing our city," addressing widespread flooding problems and prioritizing improvements to roads and utilities. He pledged "transparent leadership" and enhanced communication, using modern tools like social media videos and mass texting to engage all citizens.
Brown invites the community to join his campaign kick-off on Saturday, July 12th, at the Douglasville Pavilion. "Join me in building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Bay Minette
- a city where fresh ideas, economic growth, and robust youth initiatives will pave the way for a brighter future for every citizen," he concluded. There will be a future campaign event at the Kid's Park, to be announced at a later date.
The "Elect Josh Brown for Mayor" campaign committee is accepting contributions, with a donation link available via PayPal on their Facebook page.
Contact: Elect Josh Brown for Mayor Campaign
E-Mail: joshua@brownconsultingllc.com
