Video Shows Tuscaloosa Councilor Kick Over Runoff Opponent's Sign

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Security video obtained by Tuscaloosa Patch appears to show District 1 Councilor Matthew Wilson vandalizing one of his opponent's campaign signs in the days leading up to the April 1 runoff.

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The timestamped video was taken on Saturday just before 4 p.m. and clearly shows Wilson, who is carrying one of his own campaigns signs. Wilson then walks over to a sign put out on the side of the road by the Joe Eatmon campaign and kicked it repeatedly before leaving the sign flat on the ground.

Unable to see the video link below? Watch it here.

“This is a prime example of dirty politics and someone unfit for office," Eatmon told Patch. "While my campaign spent the day talking to voters, this is what my opponent did. How obvious that it is time for new, responsible leadership for our community.”

Tuscaloosa Patch has reached out to Wilson for comment and will update this story accordingly.

As Patch previously reported, Wilson — seeking a second term on the Council — grabbed 408 votes (38%) in the March 4 municipal election, while Eatmon received 337 votes (31%).

ALSO READ: A Look At Fundraising Ahead Of Tuscaloosa's District 1 Council Runoff

Que Chandler, who finished in third place, received 331 votes (30%) before then endorsing Eatmon in the early days of the runoff campaign.

Wilson has a contentious public history with his two challengers in the March 4 municipal election and a monthlong runoff cycle has seen roughly $40,000 raised just about evenly between Eatmon and Wilson.

The colorful history connecting the candidates includes a 2023 incident that saw Wilson file a police report claiming he was harassed and intimidated on the Shelton State campus by Eatmon.

No charges were ever filed following the accusations, which would later emerge as a common theme with Wilson, while the report was made six days after the initial incident in question.

As Patch reported in 2023, targets of TPD reports filed by Wilson range from Chandler to former Tuscaloosa County NAACP President Jerry Carter. Both Chandler and Carter told Patch that no charges were ever brought up after the alleged incidents were reported to police.

The Tuscaloosa City Council District 1 runoff is set for April 1.

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