Bo Hicks, owner of Druid City Brewing Company and longtime community organizer, entered the race for the vacant Tuscaloosa City Council seat in District 5 on Monday. Hicks, a resident of the Alberta area for 16 years, said his campaign will continue the work of the late Kip Tyner, who served the district for three decades.
Local Roots and Business Experience
Hicks grew up near Lake View and Abernant, graduated from Brookwood High School in 1998, and later moved to Tuscaloosa for college. After becoming involved in the local music scene and service industry, he opened Druid City Brewing Company on 15th Street in 2012, following the state’s legalization of breweries and taprooms. The brewery has since expanded to a larger space, added the Ell’s Kitchen restaurant, and hosted hundreds of community events ranging from comedy shows to public forums.
Why He’s Running
“I want to provide a place where people feel safe and welcome and help grow several different communities in Tuscaloosa,” Hicks said. He highlighted his experience as a small‑business owner, a parent in the Tuscaloosa City Schools, and a regular presence on neighborhood sidewalks—he walks roughly 35 miles a week, totaling about 12,700 miles over recent years.
Hicks emphasized three core goals: supporting local businesses, advancing capital projects such as the $27 million University Boulevard East reconstruction, and improving public safety and walkability. He praised Tyner’s signature infrastructure project and expressed confidence that the ongoing improvements will benefit both residents and future development.
Campaign Outlook
Hicks joins two other candidates: Erica Grant, a District 5 member of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education, and Al Sommerville, a trucking‑company owner. All three say they share a commitment to continuing Tyner’s legacy. While acknowledging Tyner’s unique impact, Hicks stated, “I’ll do my best to make him proud and continue the work he started.”
Hicks also spoke about his family, noting his daughter is a senior at Paul W. Bryant High School and plans to stay connected to Tuscaloosa regardless of where college takes her.
What’s Next
The council race will move forward with a filing deadline in early November, followed by a primary election later this year. Voters in District 5 are encouraged to attend candidate forums and meet the newcomers as the city prepares for the upcoming election cycle.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
