Alabama, October 26, 2025
News Summary
The recent mayoral elections in Alabama revealed a mix of incumbents holding their ground and new candidates achieving historic victories. Notably, Birmingham’s Randall Woodfin was re-elected with a commanding 75% of the vote, while multiple cities saw police chiefs and first-time female mayors emerge victorious. The results signify a possible shift in local governance and show a growing trend towards diverse leadership in Alabama.
Alabama Mayoral Elections See Significant Upsets and Historic Firsts Across the State
Several mayoral elections across Alabama held in August showcased a mix of incumbents securing their positions and significant upsets that may alter local governance. Notably, while some mayors retired, new candidates emerged with historic wins.
In Mobile, Sandy Stimpson concluded his successful 12-year term, paving the way for a competitive election. His successor, Spiro Cheriogotis, won a narrow runoff, marking a significant change for the city. Along with Stimpson, Gary Fuller of Opelika and Joe Lee of Moody also retired, with Lee managing an impressive city growth from 1,500 to 15,000 residents over his 22 years in office. Both Fuller, credited with enhancing financial stability, and Lee leave behind substantial legacies.
Among incumbents who retained their positions, Birmingham’s Mayor Randall Woodfin was re-elected to a third term, winning 75% of the vote against eight challengers. Similarly, Vestavia Mayor Ashley Curry secured reelection with an impressive 87% of votes. Dothan’s Mayor Mark Saliba achieved a third term with a six to one victory margin, while Eddie Lowe in Phenix City won a fourth term unopposed. Tommy Battle and Walt Maddox were also elected without opposition in previous years.
Notable first-time victories included the election of Graham Smith in Mountain Brook as the first female mayor and Jennifer Andress in Homewood, who secured 71.42% of the vote. Katie Burns and Lisa Davis were elected as the first female mayors of Cleveland and Columbiana, respectively, with Davis obtaining nearly 80% of the votes. Additionally, Ben Short triumphed in Trussville, overcoming two opponents.
Upsets were significant in cities like Hoover and Ozark, where police chiefs unseated incumbent mayors. Nick Derzis, Police Chief, defeated Frank Brocato of Hoover with 56% of the vote, while Charles Ward captured Ozark’s mayoralty with 72% of the vote against incumbent Mark Blankenship. Another upset occurred in Adamsville, where Nathaniel Byrd narrowly unseated incumbent Mayor Pam Palmer.
Candidates like Eddie Smith stepped into leadership roles, with Smith succeeding Fuller in Opelika after his tenure as City Council President. Kent Lawrence was elected as the new Mayor of Decatur post-Tad Bowling’s lengthy leadership. Other cities saw significant re-elections including Ronnie Marks in Athens for a fifth term, and Tracy Honea in Albertville for an unprecedented fourth term.
Election transparency played a pivotal role in Helena, where Billy Rosener was elected mayor, reflecting voters’ demand for integrity in local governance. The overall election results indicate a broader shift in Alabama’s political landscape and illustrate citizens’ willingness to embrace new leadership and diversity.
Election Overview
| City | Winning Candidate | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile | Spiro Cheriogotis | Succeeded Sandy Stimpson after 12 years |
| Opelika | Eddie Smith | New leadership following Gary Fuller |
| Birmingham | Randall Woodfin | Re-elected with 75% of vote |
| Mountain Brook | Graham Smith | First female mayor |
| Homewood | Jennifer Andress | First female mayor with 71.42% of the vote |
| Hoover | Nick Derzis | Police Chief unseated incumbent mayor |
| Ozark | Charles Ward | Defeated incumbent Mayor Mark Blankenship |
FAQ
What major retirements occurred in the Alabama mayoral elections?
Sandy Stimpson of Mobile, Gary Fuller of Opelika, and Joe Lee of Moody retired this election cycle.
Who was elected as the first female mayor of Mountain Brook?
Graham Smith was elected as the first female mayor of Mountain Brook.
What significant upsets occurred during the elections?
Nick Derzis in Hoover and Charles Ward in Ozark won against incumbent mayors, marking significant upsets.
Which mayor was re-elected with the highest percentage of votes?
Vestavia Mayor Ashley Curry was re-elected with 87% of the vote.
What role did financial transparency play in Helena’s election?
Voters prioritized financial transparency, leading to the election of Billy Rosener as mayor.
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Additional Resources
- Tuscaloosa News: Alabama Mayoral Elections
- AL.com: Spiro Cheriogotis Elected Mobile’s Next Mayor
- ABC 3340: Central Alabama Elects New Leaders
- WVTM 13: Alabama 2025 Municipal Election Results
- Google Search: Alabama Mayoral Elections 2025
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
