After 16 years, Juandalynn Givan: ‘I’ve been one hell of a legislator’

This is an opinion column.

I remember my first encounter with Juandalynn Givan clearly. We were at Parker High School on Birmingham’s west side for a public event. I pulled out my phone to snap a few photos to potentially accompany a column. A woman standing next to me, someone I recognized, asked to see my device. She proceeded to scroll through the images, hitting delete on every shot where she didn't like her appearance. It was a moment that, years later, perfectly encapsulates the personality of the woman who spent 16 years representing District 60 in the Alabama House of Representatives.

That tenure is coming to a close. In the Democratic primary held this November, Givan lost her seat to political newcomer Alicia Escott Lumpkin. Official tallies showed Lumpkin securing 52.2% of the vote, while Givan trailed at 33.55%. Birmingham Fire Department captain Nina Taylor rounded out the field with 14.9%.

A Legacy of Legislation

Givan was one of eight veteran lawmakers to fall in the recent primary. Despite the polarizing nature of her career, she points to a clear record of legislative accomplishments. Her portfolio includes work on human trafficking laws, legislation targeting exhibition driving, and the well-known brunch bill, which gave the Birmingham City Council authority to permit early Sunday alcohol sales.

Reflecting on her departure, Givan remained defiant. "My body of work speaks for itself — I’ve been a hell of a legislator," she told 205focus.com. "No one will be able to take that from me."

The Political Battlefield

The path to her defeat was marked by significant friction. Givan faced a challenge from a candidate heavily backed by her longtime political rival, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. The race saw intense campaigning, including attack ads funded by a PAC tied to the mayor's camp.

This follows an already tumultuous political cycle. Last year, Givan challenged Mayor Woodfin directly, ultimately receiving 4% of the vote in an election where the incumbent won with nearly 75%. Givan, who framed her mayoral run as a response to the city’s high homicide rates, later expressed regret over the tenor of that race, describing it as a "dirty" contest.

Looking Ahead

Between her mayoral bid, a run for the U.S. House of Representatives—where she finished 8th in a crowded field—and this latest defeat, Givan has seen her share of tough cycles. Campaign finance reports through late April indicated that Lumpkin raised over $118,000, significantly outpacing Givan’s $43,500.

However, Givan isn't bowing out quietly. She recently posted a social media update showing her dancing with the caption, "I’M STILL STANDING…STILL I RISE." While she is currently taking time to reflect on what she calls a "losing season," she insists that her spirit remains energized. Whether she returns to the ballot remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: her next chapter will be distinctly her own.