Copeland Johnson, a 23-year-old, pre-law student, is running for Hoover city council, Place 2. He said his youth will bring a fresh perspective to the council.

Johnson said his campaign focuses on upgrading stormwater management, improving public safety, assisting small businesses and increasing funding for Hoover city schools. The candidate, who happens to be almost 7 feet tall, said he is excited to “stand tall for the city of Hoover.”

“I shouldn’t have to wait until I’m 50 plus to be the future, and so I’m deciding not to wait. I’m opting to do it now and contribute to the helpful perspectives of young residents under the age of 30, a demographic that often goes unheard,” Johnson told AL.com.

Johnson grew up in Hoover. He said he remembers sitting in the pews at the Church of the Highlands, walking through the Aldridge gardens, shooting hoops at the Greystone YMCA and eating “the world’s largest apple pie” on Hoover Day.

He said his love for the city is what drove him to run for city council.

“I was raised by Hoover. My family is here, and my future is here and I’ve grown up ready to protect this place with conviction,” Johnson said.

While at Spain Park High School, he participated in mock trial, the Youth in Government program with the YMCA and held leadership positions with Alabama Boys State, a youth government program.

“Most of my leadership skills come from being manufactured here and being a product of Hoover City Schools…If Hoover is known to tout the best education system, why not step out of the way and let your product do the work,” Johnson said.

In 2020, Johnson received a scholarship to study art at the University of Alabama. He has continued his studies at the university as a pre-law student.

Johnson said he will use his academic knowledge and research background to keep Hoover moving forward.

The municipal election for Hoover city council is on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.

The city of Hoover is not split into districts, so the city council is elected at large, which means all seven council members represent the entirety of the city. Sam Swiney, who previously held the Place 2 seat, is not seeking re-election.

Johnson is running against candidates like Kenneth Cox, a sports hall of famer, and Gene Smith, former Hoover city council president who owns personal finance companies, according to reports from the Hoover Sun.

But Johnson said he has something his opponents don’t.

“Experience without energy doesn’t seem to have gotten the job done on behalf of the citizens. The answer is to hire an enthusiastic worker, a researcher, a solution-oriented leader as your councilman. And I consider that to be myself,” Johnson said.