
Tuscaloosa Realtor Eric Gaines Running for City Council Seat Again
A Tuscaloosa real estate agent is running for a seat on the city council and said after a disappointing loss four years ago, he is working hard to show voters he's the right man for the job this time around.
Eric Gaines is running to represent District 6, which includes a large swath of neighborhoods between Hargrove Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway. The district also boasts Bowers and Snow Hinton Parks and is home to Woodland Forrest Elementary School, Eastwood Middle and Paul W. Bryant High School.
It is currently represented by incumbent John Faile, who is seeking re-election for a second term.
Lisa Young, the President of the Tuscaloosa chapter of the NAACP, is also seeking the seat.

Gaines said in addition to selling real estate, he has also worked as a mortgage banker and a bail bondsman. He described himself as a family man married for 26 years, with five children and two grandchildren.
The candidate dropped by the Tuscaloosa Thread newsroom last week to discuss his campaign and the issues facing District 6.
This is the second time he has sought the office - Gaines challenged incumbent Eddie Pugh for the seat in 2021. Gaines was knocked out of contention during the March general election, and Pugh was unseated by Faile in a runoff the next month.
"What has driven me to get back into politics is when I ran in the last election, I don't think I put in quite 100 percent of my effort," Gaines said. "This time, I'll be putting in 110 percent effort."
Gaines said he had a more plank-driven platform in 2021, and in this race, he's running on a simpler message of unifying the residents of the district.
"I want District 6 to get connected," Gaines said. "Right no, there's one part of District 6 that's kind of upper class and then there's an underserved community. Apartments like Forrester Garden, Copper Creek. I want to bring all of us together and make it just one District Six."
Gaines said if elected, his top priority would be reducing violent crime
"It doesn't matter what side of town you live on - District 6, District 1, or north of the River, everybody wants public safety. You want to go out with your wife and kids and feel safe," he said. "Instead of struggling my shoulders saying, 'Oh, I don't know what to do,' I've got some actual, real solutions. We have to get involved in the community. The answer is not put more people in jail and throw the key away."
Gaines said his two favorite places in District 6 are Waffle House and Bowers Park, and said he was an open book - that anyone looking to talk to him or learn more can find him on Facebook, email electericgaines@gmail.com or call on his cell phone, which he asked to be shared here - 205-292-3436.
"Any question or concern, it's never too early, it's never too late," Gaines said. "I normally don't clock out until maybe 10 at night, and you can get me on weekends, even Sunday after church," he said. And I'll come talk to two people, 10 people or 100 people- anyone who wants to get to know me."
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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