Voters removed a two-term mayor
Police Chief Nick Derzis defeated two-term Mayor Frank Brocato by about 11 points in August 2025, three council incumbents did not seek re-election, and the new administration promised a further forensic audit.
Where it stands
Settled
Hits residents
8/10
Years covered
2025–2025
Sources
3 linked
- 9,676 – 7,749
- Derzis’s mayoral vote margin over Brocato
- 3 of 7
- Council incumbents who did not seek re-election
As of 2025-08
As of 2025-08
What happened
In the August 26, 2025 municipal election, Police Chief Nick Derzis defeated Mayor Frank Brocato 9,676 votes to 7,749, a margin of about 11 points out of 17,425 cast. Council President John Lyda, Curt Posey, and Sam Swiney did not seek re-election. Robin Schultz and Ashley Lovell, both of whom had come to prominence opposing city decisions from the outside, won seats after campaigning on transparency and slower residential growth. Derzis campaigned on empty storefronts, government transparency, and stormwater flooding, and pledged to seek a full forensic audit of city finances. He was sworn in on November 3, 2025 alongside a new council and a new city attorney, Charlie Waldrep, replacing Phillip Corley; a new city administrator, police chief, and CFO followed within months. The election came after two years of public conflict between the mayor and the council, and after the Kroll findings became public in 2024.
Timeline
Derzis defeats Brocato 9,676 to 7,749; Robin Schultz and Khristi Driver win council seats outright; two races go to a runoff.
City of Hoover official election results (hooveralabama.gov) ↗In the runoff, Gene Smith wins Place 2 and Ashley Lovell wins Place 3.
City of Hoover official runoff results (hooveralabama.gov) ↗Derzis and the new council are sworn in; Charlie Waldrep is appointed city attorney.
Hoover Sun (hooversun.com) ↗
Who's involved
Nick Derzis
Former police chief; elected mayor 2025
Frank Brocato
Two-term mayor, defeated 2025
Robin Schultz
Founder of a resident-run meeting archive; elected councilman
Ashley Lovell
Organiser of the Tattersall Park petition; elected councilwoman
Charlie Waldrep
City attorney from November 2025
The other side
Brocato defended his record at a candidate forum, saying of the Kroll report that “it’s over with,” and that no fraud, misrepresentation, or misuse of funds had been found.
Open questions
- Turnout as a share of registered voters is not stated in the official results certificate.
Sources (3)
- 1Aug. 26, 2025 official municipal election resultsCity of Hoover · Aug 26, 2025 · hooveralabama.gov
- 2Sept. 23, 2025 official runoff resultsCity of Hoover · Sep 23, 2025 · hooveralabama.gov
- 3Derzis, new Hoover City Council sworn into officeHoover Sun · Nov 3, 2025 · hooversun.com
Last checked July 29, 2026