An Alabama pastor is reconciling with his gubernatorial loss after running a campaign where he flippantly posted videos on social media smoking marijuana and hurling out profanities.
Candidate's Performance
JaMel Brown, 35, placed fourth in the Democratic primary for Alabama governor earlier this week, only generating about 4.3 percent of the votes. His campaign was riddled with unconventional policy proposals, from declaring himself a 'Trump Democrat' to restoring access to adult sites.
When asked why he decided to run for governor in a recent interview with AL.com, Brown replied: 'Number one, the shape of our state is at stake. And I'm just tired of seeing older white men and white women run our state government that needs to be on the front of a beach somewhere enjoying retirement.'
Background and Congressional Bid
Brown is a content creator in Montgomery and previously ran unsuccessfully for city council in 2023. Following his gubernatorial loss, Brown launched a bid for the US Congress to represent Alabama's 2nd District, which includes Montgomery.
'I'm a proud conservative Democrat who will listen, lead and deliver for our district. Alabama Values. Alabama Voice. Let's build a better future together,' Brown's campaign poster declared.
Registration for the race closes on Friday evening. The district has been at the forefront of a redistricting battle. The Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the redrawn map would stay in effect, but a lower court still has to review the redistricting. If the current map does not stay in place, Democrat Shomari Figures would be located in the 1st District, and a Republican would be favored.
Brown told AL.com that if his congressional bid does not pan out, he would consider challenging Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed.
Social Media Controversies
His social media page has generated significant attention for his outlandish policy proposals. On March 15, he shared a campaign poster advocating to 'Bring Pornhub back to Alabama,' adding that the policy represented 'Freedom. Choice. Common Sense.'
Brown posted a video of himself smoking marijuana, which is only legal for medicinal use in Alabama, to celebrate April 20. 'The soon to be Governor of Alabama is not about to let no broke b**chhhh blow my high on this Holiday,' he wrote.
In September, he shared a video in front of the Alabama Governor's Mansion, promising to 'bring fun back' to the residence if elected. 'YES I AM bringing TWERK TUESDAYS, WASTED WEDNESDAYS, THIRSTY THURSDAYS, FREAK NIK FRIDAYS, COOKOUTS, FAMILY REUNIONS, BBQS, POOL PARTIES, TRAIL RIDES, & MORE TO THE GOVERNORS MANSION!!!! ALL IS WELCOMED TO TURN UP,' he wrote.
Policy Positions
Brown told AL.com that he wants to remove taxes on groceries, raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour, legalize marijuana, legalize the lottery and enhance child support for single mothers. He also supports affordable healthcare, expanding rural broadband, protections for workers and releasing nonviolent offenders from prisons.
However, he told the Brandon and Christopher Show Podcast earlier this month that he voted for Donald Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Brown said he believed the Democratic Party had gone too far left, particularly on gay marriage and abortion. 'It's why the Democrats in Alabama will continue to lose because they're hypocrites. I believe in marriage between a man and a woman. Period,' he explained.
Brown told the podcast hosts that he was '100 percent against abortion' and supported legislation to require the Ten Commandments to be posted in public schools.
Accusations and Defense
Some Alabamians accused him of running a sham campaign and being paid by Tommy Tuberville, who won the Republican primary by 85 percent. Brown denied the allegations and told AL.com that over 15,000 people who did not think his campaign was a joke voted for him.
'If Tyler Perry could be a businessman behind closed doors and be Madea on the big screen, why can't JaMel be big daddy on a big screen and then in the church he's Pastor Brown, and then in the community he's community leader JaMel Brown,' he argued.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Brown for additional comment.
