Mayor Stimpson Endorsement of Cheriogotis Sparks Debate Over Favoritism and Future

MOBILE, AL (BuzzReport) – The Mobile mayoral race is intensifying as eight candidates vie for support, including the coveted endorsement of outgoing Mayor Sandy Stimpson. However, Stimpson’s recent announcement backing former district court judge Spiro Cheriogotis has ignited debate, prompting questions about whether the decision was based on favoritism or a just assessment of the candidates.

Gaining an endorsement from the sitting mayor is often sought by candidates hoping to boost their campaigns and potentially secure a win. Mayor Sandy Stimpson took several months before publicly announcing his support for a successor. His decision to endorse Spiro Cheriogotis, a former district court judge, drew immediate attention.

Responding to suggestions that his endorsement was a “done deal” from the outset, Stimpson stated, “That’s not a fair assessment to say it was a done deal. And as far as the done deal part of it is that, you know, it was very important to see how he would do as a candidate, and if he would get engaged, and could he get a team together. So, I’m comfortable now that I’ve had the right decision.”

Despite Stimpson’s explanation, some candidates and members of the community believe the endorsement was unfair, calling it “handpicked” and suggesting it was based on an agreement to keep the existing Stimpson administration in place. This perspective suggests that Cheriogotis might have been perceived as the candidate most willing to maintain the status quo, thus “earning” the mayor’s support.

Acknowledging that such a view might exist, the administration is reportedly trying to distance itself from this narrative. Stimpson himself directly addressed the accusation of a deal: “I’ve made no deal with Spiro. I believe that Spiro recognizes he does not have the knowledge to do everything, and that he will recognize the benefit of keeping people. There are some of the candidates that may not recognize that. They may think they’ve got their team, they’re just going to pop them in.”

The controversy around the endorsement unfolds amidst broader community frustration with Stimpson’s leadership and administration in areas like policing, transparency, and the handling of high crime rates. There are also concerns regarding a perceived lack of initiatives and resources aimed at helping poor and Black citizens overcome poverty.

Mobile resident Charles Moore voiced his distrust, saying, “I don’t trust Mayor Stimpson and never did, he has used people to enhance his agenda and policy, which has been more beneficial to one side of the city instead of all.”

Some observers view Stimpson’s endorsement as “the art of the deal,” suggesting it was offered in exchange for a commitment to preserve jobs within his current administration. It has been reported that County Commissioner Connie Hudson, another candidate in the race, also sought the mayor’s endorsement but allegedly refused such an agreement, opting instead to build her own administration.

Another resident, Faye R., a white female who identifies her family as above middle class, commented on the nature of the endorsement: “The endorsement was not about the people of the city, our high crime rates, and the progress of the city future, and the demographics of the city. I’m a white female and consider myself and family to be above the middle class in this city, however I believe the next mayor should reflect the demographics not friendship.”

Mobile recently annexed several neighborhoods to its west, increasing the city’s population. However, this expansion did not alter the fact that the city population remains majority Black. Many residents feel that the city council and the mayor’s office should better reflect the demographics of the city’s majority population.

Among the eight candidates running for mayor are four Black contenders with diverse backgrounds ranging from community activism to public service: State Representative Barbara Drummond, former Councilman Jermaine Burrell, former Police Chief Lawrence Battiste, and Pastor Michael Woodard.

Resident George Dale emphasized the importance of the voters’ choice independent of political maneuvering, stating, “It should be the people choice and decision not politics. I support the best candidate for the job, not favoritism and the status quo.”

The Mobile mayoral and council election is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2025.