HARTFORD, Ala (WDHN) — During a special call meeting Monday night, the Hartford City Council chose a new mayor to lead the city into the future.

The council elected Wendel Nolen as the new mayor on a 3-2 vote, according to former mayor Neil Strickland.

Nolen previously ran against Strickland in the 2020 mayoral election, but Strickland won with an 80-20% vote.

During the Monday, April 3 council meeting, Pro-Tempore Mayor and City Council Member for District 5, Ron Adams, who took over after Strickland abruptly left office, announced he would be stepping down and allowing the council to vote on a new mayor. During that same meeting it was revealed the city is in over $2 million in debt.

Nolen will finish out Strickland’s term, which ends in November 2025.