One major contributing factor to the growth and development in Mobile over the last 13 years has been the relationship between city officials and the governor’s office in Montgomery.
As Mayor Sandy Stimpson is about to leave that office after three terms totaling 13 years, he wants to make as sure as he can that the relationship between the new Mobile Mayor and the Governor remains effective. On Monday, Stimpson and soon-to-be Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis met with Governor Kay Ivey.
From all outward indications, the three-way meeting was positive.
Stimpson posted on his Facebook page a short report of the meeting and the pleasant pictures of the three:
“I want to thank Governor Kay Ivey for taking the time to meet with Mayor-Elect Spiro Cheriogotis and me today,” Stimpson said.
“Mobile’s growth over the last 13 years would not have been possible without our strong support in Montgomery, and I’m confident that Mayor-Elect Cheriogotis will continue to develop and maintain these crucial relationships.
“As Gov. Ivey said, ‘Mobile’s success is Alabama’s success.’”
Ivey’s support has been vital during the Stimpson administration in economic development, including Airbus, Austal and the explosive growth of the Port of Mobile, now the largest port on the Gulf Coast.
Cheriogotis will take over from Stimpson at his November 3rd inauguration. In the future, the Mobile area will need support from Montgomery for the Interstate 10 Bayway, the safety improvements on Highway 45 to Citronelle, the extension of funding for the new Amtrak Mardi Gras service beyond the current three years, and the effective spending of Gulf of Mexico (GOMESA) dollars.
Ivey has one year and three months left in her final term, as she is term limited. She will go out of office in late January 2027. A new governor will be nominated in Alabama’s May 19, 2026 primaries and elected in the November, 2026 general election.
On city election night, September 23, 2025, Stimpson symbolically passed a baton to Cheriogotis, his endorsed successor and the Mayor-elect.
Cheriogotis has stated his intention to continue Stimpson’s legacy. Part of that mission will be a positive relationship with the governor.
Cheriogotis is a former District Judge of Mobile County. He defeated State Rep. Barbara Drummond in the Mayoral runoff. Cheriogotis and Drummond had earlier outrun former Police Chief Paul Prine and Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson to advance to the runoff.
As the outgoing mayor of Mobile, Stimpson had publicly endorsed Cheriogotis in May 2025 and supported his campaign.
Gov. Ivey recognized Stimpson in May 2025 for his service and also celebrated the completion of the Mobile Harbor Modernization Project in October 2025, an initiative she championed through her Rebuild Alabama plan.
By the time a new governor of Alabama is elected (November 2026), Stimpson will be the retired former Mayor. It would be a safe bet that Stimpson and Cheriogotis will meet soon with the frontrunner in the gubernatorial election, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville.
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 former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected].
