Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin officially kicked off his campaign for his third term on Saturday at Iron City.

About 250 supporters gathered with signs, applause, chants and dances to music from a live DJ to support the mayor’s campaign.

“We’re facing challenges that demand bold leadership,” Woodfin said. “I think it’s fair to say that Birmingham is at a crossroads. We can either keep pushing forward, fighting for good jobs, safer neighborhoods and real opportunity for every single family, or let outside forces and old ways of thinking hold us back.”

State Sen. Merika Coleman and county commissioner Sheila Tyson opened the event to support Woodfin’s candidacy.

Coleman called Woodfin a “visionary and bold leader.” She said he’s created 8,000 jobs during his administration.

“That’s 8,000 families that have some stability,” Coleman said. “That is 8,000 people now that can feel like they have a path to prosperity.”

She also brought up Birmingham Promise, an initiative that she said has allowed 1,600 students to go to college tuition-free.

Tyson said, “It’s our time to do what we need to do to help our future, to help our children.

“The only way we can do that is we got to get out and vote,” Tyson said. “That means you got to go get your neighbor, your church member, your nephew, even the people you don’t like at work.”

Tyson said Woodfin has had seven years to address problems that were created over decades, and that “he’s not a magician.”

Weeks earlier, Woodfin acknowledged he was running for another term. He hinted at his candidacy by sending text messages and email messages to his supporters after state Rep. Juandalynn Givan announced her candidacy last month.

Givan publicly criticized Woodfin for his handling of increasing homicides in Birmingham. Last year’s homicide rate was 152, the highest in almost a century.

Woodfin said the city has invested about $16 million in police recruitment and retention and $8 million in youth mental health, conflict resolution and financial literacy so that when children grow up “they can make better choices.”

“I’ve got a secret to tell y’all,” Woodfin said. “I’ve got a confession. I’m not Batman. Fighting crime takes more than one person. I am in a room full of foot soldiers that are committed to making sure that we continue to fight, address this issue and make this community safe.”

With the crowd chanting, “receipts,” Woodfin said an “army of volunteers” increased the number of children reading at third-grade level. He said in two years, the percentage rose from 53 percent to 81%.

Woodfin claimed other crimes have been reduced during his term as mayor, including robbery, assaults, burglary and auto theft.

Daniel Christiansen, president of Central City Neighborhood Association attended the event to hear Woodfin speak about his plans for his third term and meet his supporters “to ensure that Birmingham keeps moving forward.”

“The major reason that I support Mayor Woodfin is the number of excellent people he’s placed in city government,” Christiansen said. He hopes Woodfin “keeps those people engaged in executing the way they have been over the last few years.”

As of Feb. 5, Woodfin’s cash contributions minus expenditures are $628,731.66, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s campaign finance website.

Birmingham native Marcell Dareus, former Crimson Tide defensive end and retired NFL pro, is his biggest individual supporter this year, giving $25,000 in January. Real estate company City Trail View contributed $20,000 to Woodfin’s campaign.

Activist Kamau Afrika is also running for mayor.