A longtime funeral director in Tuscaloosa will challenge businessman Cassius Lanier for his seat representing District 7 on the city council when voters go to the polls in March.

Oliver “Maurice” Sealey sent a press release to the Thread and kicked off the campaign Wednesday afternoon.

Sealey said he is a longtime licensed funeral director at Van Hoose and Steele Funeral Home on Stillman Boulevard and has lived in Tuscaloosa for more than 30 years.

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"Mr. Sealey is acutely aware of the needs and concerns of the community of Tuscaloosa," his announcement read. "It is this calling to represent the people of Tuscaloosa which has led him to seek the opportunity to serve their needs with compassion and care as their representative for District 7 on the Tuscaloosa City Council."

Sealey said he is an active member of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa and is married to Alfreda Prince Sealey. Before joining the funeral home, he spent time working for Aabama Power.

"Mr. Oliver “Maurice” Sealey is deeply invested in the community of Tuscaloosa," the announcement said. "And as the representative of District 7 on the Tuscaloosa City Council he wants to focus on building safe, walkable neighborhoods and restore and strengthen neighborhood watch programs to keep the community of District 7 safe while at the same time addressing the needs and concerns of the residents of District 7.

The challenger also pledged to hosting quarterly town halls to discuss the latest news in District 7, which he said he aims to revitalize into an excellent place to shop, do business and live.

(Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)
Incumbent Councilman Cassius Lanier (Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)
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Sealey seeks to unseat incumbent councilman Cassius Lanier, who is wrapping up his first term in office after unseating Sonya McKinstry in a contentious pair of 2021 races. 

Lanier is seeking re-election for a second term and campaigning on the progress District 7 has seen in the last four years and the promise of more to come after the council OK'd the largest tax incentive deal in its history to revitalize the old McFarland Mall property on Skyland Boulevard.

Tuscaloosa's municipal elections will be held on March 4, 2025. Check out our coverage hub for those races here.

Almost all other Alabama municipalities including Northport will host their own elections later in the year, on August 26, 2025.

For updates on those races and more, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.

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