Sandy Stimpson

Sandy Stimpson
Born	William S. Stimpson 4 4, 1952
Birthplace	Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Businessman, politician
Known for	108th Mayor of Mobile, Alabama
Education	University of Alabama (BS)
Children	4

William S. "Sandy" Stimpson (born April 4, 1952) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 108th mayor of Mobile, Alabama, holding office from November 4, 2013, to November 3, 2025. A lifelong resident of Mobile, Stimpson entered public life after a lengthy career in business, running on a platform centered on public safety, fiscal responsibility, and economic development. He first won election in August 2013 by defeating incumbent mayor Sam Jones, and subsequently won two additional terms, serving a total of twelve years as the leader of Alabama's third-largest city. During his tenure, Stimpson pursued ambitious goals including a pledge to make Mobile the safest city in America and oversaw improvements to the city's bond rating and fiscal standing. His decision not to seek a fourth term in 2025 marked the end of one of the longer mayoral tenures in Mobile's modern history, with Spiro Cheriogotis succeeding him in office.

Early Life

William S. "Sandy" Stimpson was born on April 4, 1952, in Mobile, Alabama. He grew up in Mobile, where his family had deep roots in the local business community. Stimpson was raised in a household of relative privilege, but accounts of his upbringing emphasize a trajectory that led him toward public service and community involvement later in life.

Stimpson attended the University of Alabama, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. His time at the university connected him with fraternal and alumni networks that he would maintain throughout his career. Following his education, Stimpson returned to Mobile and entered the private sector, building a career in business before eventually transitioning to politics.

As a businessman in Mobile, Stimpson developed familiarity with the economic landscape of the Gulf Coast region. His business background would later become a central element of his political identity, as he frequently cited his experience in the private sector as preparation for managing the operations of municipal government.

Education

Stimpson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. During his time at the university, he was involved in campus organizations, including membership in the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. His educational background in business provided the foundation for his subsequent career in the private sector and, later, in municipal governance. Stimpson has maintained ties to the University of Alabama's alumni community throughout his professional life.

Career

Business Career

Prior to entering politics, Stimpson spent decades as a businessman in Mobile, Alabama. His experience in the private sector was a defining feature of his public persona and formed a key part of his appeal to voters when he first ran for mayor. Stimpson positioned himself as an outsider to traditional politics, drawing on his management experience in business to argue that he could bring a results-oriented approach to city government. His business career provided him with connections throughout Mobile's commercial and civic communities, which proved valuable during his initial mayoral campaign and throughout his time in office.

2013 Mayoral Election

Stimpson entered the 2013 Mobile mayoral race as a challenger to incumbent mayor Sam Jones, who was seeking a third term in office. The campaign drew significant attention in Mobile and across Alabama, as Stimpson, a Republican, mounted a well-organized challenge against the sitting mayor.

On August 27, 2013, Stimpson defeated Jones in the municipal election, winning the right to become the 108th mayor of Mobile. His victory was seen as a significant shift in Mobile politics. Analysis of the election results indicated that Stimpson had built a broad coalition of supporters, drawing votes from across the city's diverse neighborhoods.

Following his election, Stimpson began outlining his priorities for the incoming administration. In interviews with local media, he discussed plans for improving public safety, fostering economic development, and bringing a more business-oriented management style to city hall. He officially took office on November 4, 2013, succeeding Sam Jones as mayor.

First Term (2013–2017)

Stimpson's first term as mayor was marked by several high-profile initiatives. Among the most prominent was his stated goal of making Mobile the safest city in America, a pledge that drew both attention and scrutiny from local media and residents. The administration took steps to address crime reduction through a combination of policing strategies and community engagement efforts.

Crime statistics during Stimpson's tenure became a recurring topic of public discussion. Local media outlets examined the city's progress toward the mayor's ambitious safety goals, with reports analyzing trends in violent crime and property crime rates. While the goal of becoming the safest city in America was widely viewed as aspirational, the pledge served to focus administrative attention and resources on public safety throughout Stimpson's time in office.

On the fiscal side, Stimpson's first term saw efforts to improve the city's financial standing. His administration pursued budget discipline and sought to demonstrate responsible stewardship of public funds, themes that would continue throughout his mayoralty.

The Stimpson administration also began work on long-term planning initiatives for the city. The development of the MAP for Mobile (Mobile Area Planning) initiative represented an effort to create a comprehensive plan for the city's future growth and development. This planning process engaged residents and stakeholders in discussions about land use, transportation, housing, and economic development priorities for the city.

During his first term, Stimpson delivered annual State of the City addresses in which he outlined his administration's accomplishments and goals. In his 2015 State of the City address, the mayor discussed the progress made in various areas of city governance.

2017 Reelection

In 2017, Stimpson faced a rematch against former mayor Sam Jones in the municipal election. The campaign revisited many of the themes from the 2013 race, with Stimpson running on his record in office and Jones seeking to reclaim the mayoralty. Stimpson continued to highlight his "bold pledge" regarding public safety and pointed to his administration's fiscal management as evidence of effective governance.

On August 22, 2017, Stimpson won reelection, defeating Jones decisively in the rematch. The margin of victory was described as substantial, representing a widening of Stimpson's support compared to the 2013 election. Post-election analysis noted the significance of the result and examined its implications for the city council and the direction of Mobile politics more broadly.

Second Term (2017–2021)

Stimpson's second term continued the policy themes established during his first four years in office. The administration maintained its focus on public safety, fiscal management, and long-term planning for the city's development.

A notable achievement during this period was an improvement in Mobile's bond rating. The city's bond rating increase was reported by local media and represented a tangible indicator of the administration's fiscal management efforts. A higher bond rating generally allows a municipality to borrow money at lower interest rates, potentially saving taxpayers money on capital projects and other debt-financed expenditures.

The Stimpson administration also identified opportunities to use budget surpluses for city improvement projects. The mayor proposed directing surplus funds toward infrastructure and other capital investments, a move covered by local media. The existence of budget surpluses was cited by Stimpson's supporters as evidence of sound fiscal stewardship.

The capital improvement program, developed in conjunction with the broader MAP for Mobile planning initiative, outlined specific infrastructure projects and priorities for the city. These projects addressed needs in areas such as road maintenance, public facilities, and drainage infrastructure.

During this term, the administration also focused on workforce development and employment initiatives. The city launched efforts to streamline its hiring processes and attract talent to municipal government positions.

2021 Reelection

In 2021, Stimpson sought a third term as mayor. He faced challengers including Fred Richardson and Karlos Finley. Stimpson won the election with 62.5% of the vote, a commanding margin that reflected the breadth of his support among Mobile voters. The result demonstrated that Stimpson had consolidated his political position in Mobile over the course of two terms in office.

Third Term (2021–2025)

Stimpson's third and final term continued the work of his previous two terms. The administration maintained its emphasis on public safety, infrastructure improvement, and fiscal responsibility. The MAP for Mobile planning initiative continued to guide long-range development decisions, and the capital improvement program moved forward with various infrastructure projects across the city.

In 2025, Stimpson announced that he would not seek a fourth term as mayor, bringing his twelve-year tenure to a close. His decision not to run for reelection set the stage for a competitive mayoral race. Stimpson served until November 3, 2025, and was succeeded by Spiro Cheriogotis as the next mayor of Mobile.

Personal Life

Sandy Stimpson is a lifelong resident of Mobile, Alabama, where he was born and raised. He has four children. Stimpson has been described as having followed a path "from privilege to servant," a characterization reflecting his transition from a comfortable upbringing and successful business career to a career in public service.

Throughout his time as mayor, Stimpson maintained his connections to the Mobile business community and civic organizations. He has been involved in various community activities and organizations in the Mobile area. His roots in Mobile and his long-standing presence in the community were frequently cited as factors in his political appeal, as voters viewed him as someone deeply invested in the city's future.

Legacy

Sandy Stimpson's twelve-year tenure as mayor of Mobile represented a period of sustained focus on fiscal discipline, public safety, and long-term urban planning. His administration's improvement of the city's bond rating stood as one of the more concrete fiscal achievements of his time in office, reflecting efforts to stabilize and strengthen Mobile's financial position.

The MAP for Mobile initiative, launched during Stimpson's tenure, established a comprehensive planning framework for the city's growth and development that extended beyond any single administration. The associated capital improvement program provided a structured approach to addressing the city's infrastructure needs.

Stimpson's pledge to make Mobile the safest city in America, while not fully realized in a literal sense, served as a guiding aspiration for his administration's public safety efforts and drew sustained public attention to crime reduction strategies. The pledge became one of the most recognizable elements of his mayoral brand and prompted ongoing public discussion about policing, crime prevention, and community safety in Mobile.

His electoral record — winning three consecutive mayoral elections, including the 2021 race with 62.5% of the vote — demonstrated an ability to build and maintain a broad base of political support in one of Alabama's most diverse cities. His decision not to seek a fourth term in 2025 marked a voluntary departure from office, with his successor, Spiro Cheriogotis, taking the reins of city government.

The budget surpluses achieved during Stimpson's administration and the subsequent investment of those funds into city projects represented a tangible legacy of his fiscal management approach. His tenure was characterized by the application of business management principles to municipal governance, reflecting his pre-political career in the private sector.