Sandra Gray Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Atmore, Prioritizing Community and Change

Atmore, AL – A move that resonates with a commitment to community betterment, Sandra Gray, a lifelong resident and seasoned community leader, announced her candidacy for mayor of Atmore, marking a new chapter in her over 30 years of dedicated service.

Gray, who has been married for 50 years to Wayne Gray—a retired employee of the Alabama Department of Corrections—brings with her a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted connection to the community. Together, they are proud parents to four children, grandparents to 13, and great-grandparents to five.

An active member of Mt. Gillard Baptist Church, Gray is a 1973 graduate of Escambia County High School and has furthered her education at Jefferson Davis Community College. Her career in education spans 20 years as a teacher’s assistant in Escambia County schools. In addition, she has successfully owned several businesses in the region.

Gray’s community involvement extends well beyond the classroom. She has played pivotal roles in various organizations, notably serving as the disaster relief coordinator for the American Red Cross across Escambia, Conecuh, and Butler Counties. As the co-founder and vice president of The Concerned Citizens of Atmore, she has actively worked to address community challenges and advocate for residents’ needs. Her positions on the boards of Community Action of South Alabama, Atmore Urban Development, Alabama VOAD, Escambia County Agency on Aging, Goodwill Easter Seal, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program further illustrate her commitment to public service.

Additionally, Gray hosts a popular radio show, “Urban Talk with Sandra Davison Gray,” broadcast weekly on 105.9 WBZR FM, engaging the community through discussion of local issues and solutions. 

In her recent announcement, Gray outlined her vision for Atmore, emphasizing job creation, business attraction, and educational improvement. She plans to collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies to provide affordable housing, enhance public parks and cemeteries, develop youth centers, and upgrade the city’s infrastructure. Notably, she underlined the need for more accessible infrastructures, such as wheelchair-accessible sidewalks and better-lit residential streets and parks.

Public safety is another cornerstone of Gray’s platform. She advocates for comprehensive crime prevention programs, promoting community policing initiatives, and establishing emergency preparedness strategies to tackle underlying social issues contributing to crime.

“I have the experience in community service necessary to be an effective leader, and I am aware of underserved areas that seemingly have been neglected for decades,” Gray stated. “I will work diligently to see that all areas of Atmore benefit from federal, state, and local tax dollars needed to improve neighborhood infrastructures. Together we will build our economy and create a city that works for all of Atmore’s citizens.”

The upcoming election for Atmore Municipal races is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26.