A lawsuit challenging whether the mayor of Bessemer actually lives in the city he has led for 16 years was tossed out by a judge, clearing the path for a two-person runoff on Sept. 22.
Darral Bethel, who came in third place in his run for mayor, filed a lawsuit Aug. 26 asking a circuit court judge to order all candidates, specifically Mayor Kenneth Gulley, to prove their residency.
Bethel’s case was dismissed Wednesday by Bessemer Division Senior Circuit Judge David Hodby. With his candidacy cleared, Gulley will defend his office against a challenge from Louise Alexander, a former state legislator and city council member…