Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson will not seek re-election in 2025

By ARTHUR L. MACK

MOBILE — Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election to a fourth term, citing plans to spend more time with his family.

Stimpson, who has served as mayor for 11 years, was first elected in 2013 by defeating incumbent Sam Jones and won re-election in 2017 and 2021 by wide margins.

“For the past 11 years, I have had a privilege beyond imagination and that is being part of the transformation of the city of Mobile,” Stimpson said in a press release. “Through the years, I believe God has answered countless prayers by blessing our city as things were accomplished that few thought possible — turning vision and hope into reality. I would not take this step if I did not genuinely believe Mobile is well-positioned for a strong future.”

Stimpson and his wife, Jean, have 14 grandchildren and will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next year.

“You have my assurance that during my remaining 14 months in office, we will not slow down,” Stimpson said.

Among Stimpson’s accomplishments are significantly improving the city’s financial strength, resulting in credit rating increases, adding thousands of residents through annexation, increasing pay for police, fire and city employees, creating jobs, further developing downtown and massive improvements to city infrastructure and parks.

The annexation included large areas of west Mobile. When the Orchard Branch, King’s Branch and the Cottage Hill Corridor voted in July 2023 to annex into the city, Stimpson hailed the decision that made Mobile the state’s second-largest city, next to Huntsville.

The city’s next municipal election is on Aug. 26, 2025, and the next mayor will take office on Nov. 3.

Major projects actively underway include construction of a new International Airport downtown and a new Civic Center arena, a new I-10 bridge over Mobile Bay and the development of Riverwalk Plaza.