Ever since former Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine fell short of the runoff in the August election for Mayor, speculation has spread through the community that he may run for office again. Since Prine’s resume is heavy in law enforcement, the best guess was that he might run for Mobile County Sheriff.
Mobile’s County Sheriff is up for election in the May 19 Republican primary. Now, it is official. Paul Prine announced his candidacy for Sheriff of Mobile County on Monday.
“After thirty years of dedicated public service and recently retiring as Chief of Police for the City of Mobile, I am proud to announce my candidacy for Mobile County Sheriff in the 2026 election. The safety and security of Mobile County’s citizens must remain a top priority. The Sheriff’s Office not only bears the responsibility of reducing crime in the county’s rural areas but must also take a proactive role in addressing the crime, and perception of crime, within the City of Mobile, which affects our entire region,” Prine said in his announcement.
“As Chief of Police, I led with integrity and achieved proven results in reducing crime while strengthening trust between law enforcement and the community. It is time for proven leadership that is tough on crime and committed to protecting every corner of Mobile County with integrity and honor. I hope to earn your trust, support, and vote.”
Prine will face first-term Sheriff Paul Burch, who last week announced his candidacy for re-election. Any other candidates have until January 23, 2026 deadline to qualify to run.
After an almost 30-year upwardly mobile career with the Mobile Police Department, Prine was appointed police chief in the Stimpson administration. He served for about two and a half years before major differences with Stimpson resulted in his departure.
Of his tenure as Mobile Chief of Police, Prine said:
“When I was appointed two and a half years ago, Mobile was at an all-time high in crime. The police department had a poor rate of attrition. Now, we have reduced crime, and attrition is at a 35-year low.”
In the campaign for Mayor, Prine sometimes used Biblical scripture and told his personal testimony of salvation through Jesus Christ. It has not always been that way.
Prine said when he was 19, he had walked out on God. That lasted until age 30. He was shot three times in the back, lost his left kidney, and almost died in the line of duty.
“Even though I had not been following Him, I called on Jesus.”
Jesus answered. Prine recovered, and his law enforcement career continued on an upward trajectory. Now, Prine is 54.
Prine later filed a lawsuit against the city over “being forced out.”
Mobile County’s previous Sheriff Sam Cochrane went from Mobile Police Chief to Mobile County Sheriff.
The winner of the Republican primary will face the Democrat nominee in the November 3rd general election.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected].
