Prine Pivots to County Race After Mayoral Defeat, Announces Sheriff Bid

Mobile, AL (BuzzReport) – Former Mobile Police Chief Paul Prine formally announced his campaign for Mobile County Sheriff on Monday, signaling his third major political or professional shift in less than two years.

The announcement positions Prine, who was dismissed from his role as the city’s top law enforcement officer in 2024, to compete in the May 2026 Mobile County Primary. This is his second attempt at elected office this year, following an unsuccessful primary bid for Mayor of Mobile just weeks ago in August.

In a campaign statement released to the press, Prine emphasized his three decades of cumulative public service and his recent experience leading the Mobile Police Department as foundational to his candidacy. The central message of his platform is rooted in enhancing regional security and addressing persistent crime issues.

The candidate stressed that ensuring the safety and security of all Mobile County residents must remain the highest priority for the Sheriff’s Office. He argued that the role requires a broader vision than merely handling incidents in the county’s outlying and rural areas.

Prine insisted that the Sheriff’s Office must adopt a proactive strategy to address not only the quantifiable crime but also the perception of lawlessness inside the City of Mobile, contending that urban instability affects the entire surrounding region.

Prine’s attempt to lead the county police force follows a turbulent period. He was relieved of his duties as Police Chief earlier this year amid high-profile administrative disagreements. His quick transition into the mayoral primary campaign did not result in a nomination, forcing another strategic pivot toward the county executive branch.

The 2026 race promises to be a rigorous contest, with the Mobile County Primary often serving as the decisive election for key local offices. Prine now faces the challenge of translating his experience in city policing into a platform focused on county-wide jurisdiction and the unique demands of the Sheriff’s mandate.