Last Thursday, Alabama state representative and Mobile mayoral candidate Barbara Drummond hosted an open “Ask‑Me‑Anything” (AMA) on the r/MobileAL subreddit, which her campaign described as “an online forum that functions like a digital town hall.” Drummond spent nearly three hours on the subreddit fielding questions about her mayoral candidacy and policy platform.
“I believe government works best when people can ask their leaders anything, anytime — and get a straight answer. This AMA is one more way to keep that promise of accessibility,” Drummond said in an official press release.
Drummond touched on a wide variety of topics and policy areas during the AMA, including her plans for economic development and job creation in Mobile. Responding to a user who asked if she would be as aggressive as current Mayor Sandy Stimpson when it comes to pursuing job creation, Drummond replied, “Yes — and probably even more aggressive.”
“I believe we have a real opportunity to take our approach to job creation to the next level by investing in a comprehensive workforce development strategy. That means partnering closely with our K-12 schools and two-year colleges to build a strong talent pipeline right here in Mobile,” Drummond wrote. “We have the industries. Now we need to make sure we’re preparing the next generation to take full advantage of those opportunities – not just attracting jobs, but creating a workforce that’s ready to fill them. That’s how we build a stronger, more resilient local economy that works for everyone. Part of my vision is to create a model where students – whether they’re in high school or between the ages of 18 and 24 – can access training pathways that lead directly into the industries already rooted in Mobile, as well as those we’re actively working to bring here. That’s how we build lasting opportunities, not just short-term growth.”
Drummond was also asked about her plans to improve education in Mobile, with one user asking, “What are your plans for working on our schools to compete with the likes of Baldwin County, Saraland, and Satsuma?”
“My focus isn’t on competing with Baldwin County, Saraland, or Satsuma – it’s on strengthening education across our entire region, because that’s key to our shared economic future,” Drummond replied. “If we want to attract major employers and build a sustainable economy, all of our school systems need to be healthy. That said, I’ve already taken concrete steps to support and strengthen Mobile County Public Schools, and I’ll keep that work going as mayor.”
Drummond went on to cite the work she has already done to secure greater investment in education across the state as a member of the state legislature, including $11.4 million in additional funding for the Mobile County system which she secured during the 2025 legislative session and her involvement in the Alabama Literacy Act.
“There’s still work to do, but I’m proud of where we’re heading,” she continued. “Just last week, Mobile County rolled out a Healthy Families Initiative to bring students who were disconnected during the pandemic back into the school system – and right now, we’re leading the state in successfully re-engaging those students.”
“Another area I’ll continue pushing for is mental health support. Too many of our students are dealing with trauma or difficult home situations, and we need to give them the tools to succeed – not just academically, but emotionally. I’ve fought hard in Montgomery to bring those dollars home to Mobile, and I’ll keep doing that as mayor,” Drummond added. “At the end of the day, education is the thread that determines our future. We’re not where we need to be yet, but we’re getting there – and I’m going to keep fighting for every child in this city.”
Drummond also expressed a desire to invest in quality of life through neighborhood revitalization in Mobile.
“If we want people to stay, to raise families here, and to truly love living in Mobile, we have to offer more than just jobs and basic services. We need to create real entertainment value,” Drummond wrote. “That starts with investing in parks, yes – but not just as green spaces. In cities across the country, you see parks doubling as cultural hubs, with concerts, festivals, and neighborhood events that bring people together. I’d love to see us embrace that same model here in Mobile. We also need to get creative about using our history – and our identity – as a foundation for entertainment and tourism. We say we’re the birthplace of Mardi Gras, but how do we bring that to life year-round?”
“I want to explore ways to turn that history into immersive experiences and permanent venues that give both residents and visitors something to be excited about,” she continued. “On the shopping and neighborhood level, I think we have a major opportunity to reimagine how we use space in the city – especially in areas where big commercial developments may not be feasible. We can start to build smaller-scale, walkable neighborhood hubs that bring restaurants, shops, and gathering spaces into communities that have gone without them for too long… This kind of investment in quality of life is central to building a city that people want to be part of.”
Drummond added that infrastructure investments and strengthening Mobile’s Capital Improvements Plan, CIP, would be essential to the kinds of revitalization efforts she hopes to pursue.
“We’re a beautiful, historic city, but we’re also an old city, and that means our infrastructure needs constant attention and serious investment. The CIP is the hinge pin for revitalizing neighborhoods and supporting the kind of lifestyle improvements I’ve been talking about throughout this campaign,” Drummond wrote.
“We need to be more aggressive and better funded when it comes to capital improvements – especially in older parts of the city that are hit hardest during heavy rains. Flooding and stormwater issues continue to be a major challenge, and that’s something I plan to address hand-in-hand with an expanded and more responsive stormwater management strategy,” she added.
Additionally, Drummond floated the idea of creating a dedicated performing arts center in Mobile.
“One of the big projects I’d like to focus on as mayor is the development of a dedicated performing arts center – a space that can uplift and showcase the incredible talent we have here in Mobile,” she stated. “We’ve invested in a new arena, and that’s important. But just as essential is creating a home for our cultural institutions – the Mobile Ballet, the Symphony, community theater groups, and more. A true theater arts center would not only support these organizations, but also give young people across the city, especially in marginalized communities, a chance to learn, grow, and perform.”
With respect to public safety, crime and policing in Mobile, Drummond emphasized the need for a better relationship between police and Mobile’s marginalized communities.
“I think in some areas, police training is top-notch – but there are key areas where we need real improvement. First and foremost, we need better training around cultural competency – how officers engage with marginalized communities. And just as important, we need stronger training for how police interact with individuals facing mental health challenges. Those two areas are critical,” Drummond wrote.
“And beyond just training, we need to return to true community policing. I’ll never forget a man at a community meeting who stood up and said, ‘I’m not calling the police. They never come.’ That’s heartbreaking – and it’s a trust issue. People should feel confident that when they call, they’ll get help, not harm,” she added. “We have some great officers out there, but every profession requires retooling and growth. That includes policing. If we want safer neighborhoods, we need to rebuild that trust – and that starts with rebranding what policing means and how it shows up in people’s lives.”
In general, Drummond used the AMA to express her desire to continue building on the successes of the Stimpson administration while also refocusing the city’s attention on revitalizing Mobile’s neighborhoods and communities if elected mayor. She described the Mobile mayor’s office as “a relay – with each administration passing the torch and building upon the successes of the last.”
“My vision isn’t about starting over. It’s about continuing that relay – carrying the torch forward and raising the bar,” Drummond wrote. “We’ll stay aggressive on economic development, but we’ll also prioritize collaboration across city, county, state, and federal levels. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful that regional approach can be, and I believe it’s the foundation for long-term success.”
