On Thursday, the Democratic Mayors Association, DMA, announced its formal endorsement of State Representative Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, to be the next mayor of Mobile, Alabama.
DMA is a political organization comprised of Democratic mayors in cities with populations over 30,000. According to the organization’s official website, DMA is focused on mobilizing mayors on behalf of progressive issues and uniting them “with a common voice to take on the most critical challenges communities face.”
“Mobile is ready for new leadership, and State Rep. Barbara Drummond has the vision and experience to deliver it. From revitalizing Mobile’s downtown to championing public health and education in the legislature, State Rep. Drummond has spent her career bringing people together to get things done. Her election would be a historic win for Mobile and a major step in building long-term Democratic strength in Alabama,” said DMA President and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.
In announcing its endorsement of Drummond, DMA described the state representative’s campaign as “one of the most promising Democratic pickup opportunities in the South this cycle and a strategic investment in building long-term Democratic infrastructure in Alabama.” The organization also noted that Drummond would become Mobile’s first Black woman mayor if elected.
While the Mobile mayoral election is technically non-partisan, with party affiliation absent from the ballot, DMA acknowledged Drummond as the “clear Democratic frontrunner, backed by a growing Black electorate, organized labor, faith leaders, and community advocates.”
“Her platform reflects the priorities of Democratic Mayors nationwide: economic growth that works for everyone, safer communities through smarter public safety, modern infrastructure, affordable housing, and a stronger local economy powered by high-wage, future-ready industries,” the organization added.
The general election will take place on Tuesday, August 26, as Drummond faces off against former Mobile County District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis, Mobile County Commissioner and former Mobile City Councilor Connie Hudson, and former Mobile Chief of Police Paul Prine. If no single candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote during the general election, then the race will go to a runoff election on September 23.
This year’s mayoral election marks the first time there has been an open-seat contest for the Mobile mayorship in 20 years.
