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Mobile Votes Today: A New Mayor and New Direction for the Port City

August 26, 2025 - MOBILE, AL. - Today, August 26, voters across Mobile will head to the polls to elect a new mayor for the first time in over a decade. With incumbent Mayor Sandy Stimpson stepping down after three terms, the race is wide open-and the outcome will shape the city's leadership, priorities, and tone for years to come.

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and voters must bring a valid photo ID to cast a ballot. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, a runoff between the top two finishers will be held on Tuesday, September 23.

A Four-Way Race for the Mayor's Office

Four candidates are vying to succeed Stimpson, each bringing distinct experience and vision:

• Spiro Cheriogotis: A former District Court Judge, Cheriogotis stepped down from the bench earlier this year to run for mayor. Backed by Stimpson and leading in fundraising, he's positioned as the continuity candidate, emphasizing law, order, and administrative efficiency.

• Barbara Drummond: A veteran state legislator and former city official, Drummond has deep roots in Mobile governance. Her campaign focuses on neighborhood investment, equity, and restoring trust in city hall.

• Connie Hudson: With 15 years on the Mobile County Commission and prior service on the City Council, Hudson is running on experience and regional cooperation. She's touted her record on infrastructure and community development.

• Paul Prine: The former Mobile Police Chief, Prine was dismissed by Stimpson in 2024. He's campaigning as a reformer, pledging to restore transparency and prioritize public safety.

Redistricting and New Polling Sites

This election marks the first under Mobile's new district map, adopted in 2023. More than 29,000 residents have been shifted into new districts, and over 19,000 were annexed since the last municipal election. Voters are urged to confirm their polling location at MyInfo.AlabamaVotes.gov before heading out.

Districts 3 and 5 are voting only for mayor, while other districts will also elect city council members. Notably:

• District 1: Incumbent Corey Penn faces nonprofit leader Herman Thomas.

• District 2: A three-way race between Reggie Hill, William Carroll (incumbent), and Samantha Ingram.

• District 7: Longtime councilmember Gina Gregory seeks a sixth term against former school board member Robert Battles.

What's at Stake

Mobile's next mayor will inherit a city at a crossroads. As Alabama's largest port and a regional economic engine, Mobile faces challenges in infrastructure, public safety, housing, and equitable development. The city's annexation efforts, population shifts, and changing demographics have added urgency to debates over representation and resource allocation.

The mayoral candidates have sparred over:

• Neighborhood investment: How to ensure all communities-not just downtown-receive attention and funding.

• Public safety: Balancing law enforcement reform with crime prevention.

• Economic development: Managing growth while preserving Mobile's character and affordability.

• Transparency and trust: Rebuilding confidence in city leadership after years of internal conflict and public scrutiny.

Final Thoughts

Today's election is more than a leadership change-it's a civic reset. With no incumbent on the ballot, Mobile voters have a rare opportunity to choose a new direction for their city. Whether you're focused on infrastructure, equity, or ethics, your vote helps shape the policies and priorities that will define Mobile's next chapter.

So if you haven't already, check your polling place, grab your ID, and make your voice heard. The future of Mobile starts today.

 
 

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