This is a very big election year for cities throughout the state. Most mayors and city councils are running this summer. In fact, the elections are right around the corner on August 26.
The marque race is for Mayor of Mobile. Mayor Sandy Stimpson is retiring as one of Mobile’s most successful mayors after three terms. Sandy Stimpson has clearly chosen Spiro Cheriogotis to be his successor. He has openly endorsed him and raised him money. The business community in the Port City is solidly behind Cheriogotis. He has raised a boatload of money. In fact, he has more campaign cash than all other candidates combined. County Commissioner Connie Hudson and Cheriogotis are fighting for a place in the runoff with Democratic State Representative Barbara Drummond. Either Hudson or Cheriogotis will probably win that runoff.
The other major race in the state is for Mayor of Hoover. Incumbent Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato is being challenged by the veteran Police Chief of Hoover Nick Derzis. This one is expected to be close.
Opelika will elect a new mayor, probably Eddie Smith. Their longtime Mayor Gary Fuller is retiring. He was a fantastic mayor for the legendary Lee County city. Veteran City Council President Eddie Smith, a retired banker and Opelika native, is expected to win. The business community in Lee County is supporting Smith, who has been Mayor Fuller’s longtime ally. They have worked lockstep together over the years.
Albertville’s outstanding Mayor, Tracy Honea, will be elected to an unprecedented fourth four-year term. Mayor Honea and his City Council have an excellent working relationship, which has enabled this Sand Mountain city to grow and prosper.
Wetumpka’s longtime legendary Mayor, Jerry Willis, will be reelected over token opposition.
Longtime Decatur Mayor, Tad Bowling, is retiring. This will be a good race to watch. Decatur insiders suggest Kent Lawrence may be the man to beat.
The Jefferson County City of Trussville has an open mayor’s seat. Either Lisa Bright or J.T. Smallwood are predicted to be the next mayor of this fast-growing prosperous suburban city.
In the upscale Jefferson County City of Vestavia Hills, Ashley Curry, has only token opposition in his reelection bid.
Another prosperous Jefferson County suburban city, Mountain Brook, will have a new mayor. City Council member Graham Smith is well liked and won unopposed for Mayor of Mountain Brook.
Another over the mountain, suburban city, Homewood, has an open mayor’s race. Jennifer Andress, a popular City Council member, is favored to become the first female mayor of the prosperous Jefferson County suburb. She is also known as a cross-country runner.
Enterprise Mayor Bill Cooper is running for another term in this fast-growing Wiregrass city. He is expected to be reelected. He is facing the same opponents he bested four years ago. Cooper has been instrumental in Enterprise’s prosperity.
The neighboring Wiregrass City of Ozark has one of the best mayor’s races in the state. Incumbent Mark Blankenship is being challenged by Police Chief Charles Ward. Chief Ward is a lifelong Ozark resident and a former top State Trooper. He is a law enforcement legend and is beloved in Ozark. He may very well be the favorite in this race.
Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone has become a legend in his town. He is the leader of one of, if not the fastest growing cities in the state. He is the founding Mayor of Pike Road. When he became Mayor in 2004, their population was 350 residents. Today, it has more than 10,000 citizens. He has overseen this remarkable planned growth and founded an entire school system over his 21-year tenure. He has a challenger for the first time; however, he should prevail.
Phenix City’s popular longtime Mayor, Eddie Lowe, is unopposed for his fourth term.
Anniston will elect a new mayor. City Manager Steven Folks is the best qualified. He has essentially run the city for the past six years.
Troy Mayor, Jason Reeves, will be reelected unopposed to a fifth four-year term as Mayor.
Andalusia Mayor, Earl Johnson, is running for another term. He will be headed for his sixth term as their mayor. He has served five full terms very successfully.
Dothan’s outstanding Mayor, Mark Saliba, was overwhelmingly reelected to a third term by a six to one margin earlier this month. This eclipses his father’s tenure. No mayor in Dothan history has served three consecutive terms.
Two of our state’s most popular and accomplished mayors, Tommy Battle of Huntsville and Walt Maddox of Tuscaloosa, were reelected without any opposition within the past year.
Who the mayor is of your city is probably the most important vote you will cast, so go vote next week.
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at [email protected].
