A group Mobile’s mayoral runoff election took place on September 23, 2025 with voters choosing between Alabama State Representative Barbara Drummond (D) and former Mobile County District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis (R). The race has drawn attention from college students across the city who are considering how municipal leadership affects their daily lives.
Spring Hill College students face several local issues which directly impact their experience in the city. Housing affordability affects where students can live and how much of their budget goes toward rent and utilities. Many students live off-campus and attempt to navigate Mobile’s rental market while balancing education costs and part-time employment. One student, Imani Clark, senior at Spring Hill College, wants the new mayor-elect to focus on affordable housing because “As someone who is a commuter and wants to move out, it is difficult trying to find an affordable and good quality apartment.” Barbara Drummond plans to strengthen trust between police and residents, expand youth engagement programs, and increase investment in mental health services, while focusing on affordable housing, blight reduction, and infrastructure upgrades. She proposes launching a comprehensive master plan for affordable housing that would involve citizens in the process and preserve neighborhood character. Transportation infrastructure influences how students move around the city for classes, work, and social activities. Another student, Rosetta Ingram, senior at SHC, believes more transportation methods would benefit students; “It’s hard to maneuver around when you’re a college kid with no personal transportation. I’m sure it’s been harder for ones who haven’t lived here. I know it’s a money issue, but easier access to transportation would help greatly.”
Spiro Cheriogotis plans to focus on public transportation, economic development, and youth gun violence while supporting major infrastructure projects like a new bridge connecting Mobile and Baldwin County, and a new arena. He also proposes cutting business red tape, potentially waiving first-year business license fees, and improving stormwater systems and flood resilience. The voting process presents both opportunities and challenges for student participation. Some students report difficulty obtaining information about candidates and voting procedures for local elections. Unlike federal elections, municipal races often receive less media coverage and have limited online presence. Ingram states, “I’ve seen countless advertisements for the day and time of when to vote, but it’s challenging to figure out which polling station is compatible with your address.” Students’ connection to Mobile city politics varies widely based on their level of engagement and length of residence. Some feel integrated into the community and invested in local decision-making, while others view their time in Mobile as temporary. Caitlin Redd, senior at SHC, states, “Personally being someone who moved to Mobile it feels kind of isolating being in a new city. It can be hard to integrate into a new community and connect to politics and issues within the city without having roots here.”College students have specific perspectives on what they want the next mayor to understand about their needs and experiences. These range from practical concerns about city services to broader questions about Mobile’s appeal to young residents. Redd states, “I would like to see more opportunities be created and encouraged to grow in Mobile as it is such a diverse and growing community.”Current efforts to engage young voters in Mobile politics have been seen as lackluster by Spring Hill College students. Ingram stating, “There can be events put on to engage the younger crowd, to inform them of why voting is so important and who their options are. However, I do not see that very often.” Both mayoral candidates have addressed issues relevant to college students during their campaigns. The election outcome will determine Mobile’s leadership for the next four years and shape policies affecting the city’s student population. For your polling address or to register to vote, Visit www.mobilecountyal.gov/elections-voting/ for more information.
