Just a day after Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch announced he would not seek a third term a council member has thrown her hat into the ring.

City Councilor Graham Smith is launching her campaign to succeed Welch as mayor of Mountain Brook. Smith won her 2022 city council seat with 74% of the vote in what was the highest turnout municipal election in Mountain Brook history.

The Mountain Brook municipal election will be held on August 26, 2025.

“I’m excited to announce my candidacy for mayor of Mountain Brook,” Smith said in a statement. “It has been a tremendous honor to serve as your city councilor, and after a lot of reflection, I believe the time has come to step up and continue the work that has made this community so special.”

Graham was born in Long Island.

She served as U.S. Senator Richard Shelby’s legislative director for 4 years and worked in the Office of Advancement for the University of Alabama.

In 2002, Smith graduated from Washington and Lee University in Virginia then went on to earn her MBA at the University of Alabama in 2007.

Smith is a longtime volunteer and board member for multiple local organizations including the Mountain Brook Planning Commission, Friends of Jemison Park and the Alabama Trails Foundation.

Smith has lived in Alabama for 17 years, 14 of those in Mountain Brook

Currently, Smith is a stay-at-home mom and community volunteer, which includes serving on the Mountain Brook city council.

Since joining the council, Smith has worked closely with city leaders on solutions to infrastructure challenges, local business support and quality-of-life enhancements.

Smith also praised outgoing Mayor Welch and City Manager Sam Gaston for their service, saying they leave behind a city in a position of strength.

“Their departure presents us with a new opportunity. As our city enters this next chapter, I’m committed to keeping our momentum going — a Mountain Brook that continues to be safe for our families, vibrant for our businesses and provides excellent services to the taxpayers,” Smith said in a statement.

“I wasn’t born in Mountain Brook… I chose Mountain Brook…We are blessed with an incredible town and that’s exactly what I plan to continue fostering as your mayor.”