Tensions Rise as Sheriff Paul Burch Intervenes in Prichard 2025 Mayor Election

Prichard, AL – Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch has inserted himself into the upcoming Prichard municipal elections, drawing criticism from some residents who view his comments and actions as an overreach of his authority. While Sheriff Burch has stated he will not endorse a specific candidate for mayor this summer, he has made it clear that he does not support the re-election of two-term incumbent Jimmie Gardner.

The public disagreement between Sheriff Burch and Mayor Gardner, a former police chief himself, intensified following a June 4th shooting in which a 2-year-old boy was injured. Sheriff Burch labeled the incident “gang-related” and described it as the “tip of the iceberg” regarding his concerns about Mayor Gardner’s leadership.

“Every municipality has a problem somewhere, even in public safety and crime, but we don’t have a problem bad enough for a county sheriff takeover,” stated Ryan Barnes, a Prichard resident. “Paul Burch is acting as a dictator, and as if he care for Prichard. Let us not forget this the same officer before being promoted and becoming Sheriff that killed a young black man in Happy Hill.”

Sheriff Burch has cited concerns from citizens regarding the Prichard Police Department, claiming his office receives weekly complaints about a “lack of service.” He also alleges that citizens have been unable to reach the mayor at City Hall to express their concerns.

Mayor Gardner responded to Burch’s comments by saying, “I’m not going to talk behind Paul at all. He doesn’t have a vote in this city. I’m the mayor of this city and he’s the sheriff in the county. At the end of the day, I’m not falling for this kind of stuff.”

Sheriff Burch has indicated that some potential mayoral candidates have expressed interest in contracting with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office for full-time policing services, raising questions about the future of the Prichard Police Department.

Burch also claimed that Prichard Police failed to respond to reports of gunfire in the vicinity of the June 4th shooting.

“We love our city, we don’t need no Sheriff takeover,” said Diane Jones, a Prichard resident. “We need real leaders in office to help us get through this. We need new Chief of Police, New Detectives, and a plan to fight crime. All you see in Prichard is officers having coffee, hanging with friends, and using city patrol cars to make money on the side in other cities like Mobile.”

Burch even addressed a question regarding the possibility of calling in the National Guard to assist with public safety in Prichard, highlighting the severity of his concerns.

The mayoral race includes several candidates vying for the city’s top elected seat. In addition to incumbent Jimmie Gardner, Lorenzo Martin, a former Prichard City Councilman who lost to Gardner in the 2020 election, is running along with Anthony Clarkbanks, Rodney Clements, Carletta Davis, Terrance Harris, and Helen Wright.

“Our election is our choice,” stated Robert Jones, a Prichard resident. “We don’t need no one who is not of our community, who do not align with our values and beliefs to dictate our elections.”

The comments and actions of Sheriff Burch have clearly ignited controversy within the Prichard community, raising crucial questions about local leadership, public safety, and the role of external agencies in municipal affairs. The upcoming election promises to be closely watched as residents decide the future direction of their city.