After coming in second in August’s general election, former judge Spiro Cheriogotis narrowly defeated opponent State Rep. Barbara Drummond in the runoff to become Mobile’s 109th mayor. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Cheriogotis received 25,106 votes, or 51.42 percent, to Drummond’s 23,715, or 48.58 percent. Celebrating at a venue in downtown Mobile, the mayor-elect thanked “everyone who donated, prayed and believed that we can write a new chapter for this city.”
Cheriogotis will begin his four-year term on November 3.
“From the very beginning, we said this would be a campaign for Mobilians, run by Mobilians,” he said. “We believed the wisdom and strength of the people of this city and tonight the people have spoken.”
Cheriogotis out-earned all of his competitors in fundraising, amassing more than $1.7 million in campaign contributions, compared to Drummond’s nearly $600,000. He also received many key local endorsements, including from former Mobile mayor Mike Dow and incumbent Mayor Sandy Stimpson, who is retiring after 12 years in the office. Stimpson joined Cheriogotis on stage Tuesday night and handed him a ceremonial baton to symbolize the transition of power.
“From this point forward, we are not looking back,” Cheriogotis said. “What’s next for this city is a city that works for everyone. A city where neighborhoods are safe, where opportunity is real and where fun can be had.
“I will listen to the people of this city and serve them every chance they give me to do it. We’ve proven that when we’ve come together as a city, as a people, and go all in, Mobile can do great things.
“Tonight is only the beginning.”
At her own campaign event, Drummond congratulated her opponent and said she would be returning to Montgomery to continue the work she’s been doing in the state legislature representing District 103 since 2014. She is the chairwoman of the Alabama Democratic Caucus.
As reported by AL.com, Drummond told her supporters: “I want to thank Mobile because we gave a hell of a run,” she said. “I want to thank each of you and I certainly extend my congratulations to our new mayor, Spiro Cheriogotis.
It is time for Mobile to come together. We had a good run and it was very, very tight, but we didn’t prevail, guys.”
Cheriogotis said he plans to spend a significant amount of time with Mayor Stimpson in the interim before he’s sworn in, and doesn’t expect many of his initiatives to wait until “the first day” to begin. He said he plans on working with Rep. Drummond in her capacity representing his constituents in Montgomery and expects public safety to be his top priority, working closely with the Mobile Police Department and Mobile Fire and Rescue Department to that end.
He said he’s also focused on public transit as a transformative initiative to benefit all Mobilians.
With his ceremonial baton in hand, Cheriogotis paid tribute to Stimpson, who was all smiles and cheers on stage with his wife, Jean.
“You have turned this city into something some people thought was not possible,” he said. “You pulled this city back from the brink and I intend to keep it as far away from it as I can.”
