Sandy Stimpson
Sandy Stimpson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 108th Mayor of Mobile | |
| Assumed office November 4, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Sam Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 4, 1952 Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Jean Miller (m. 1975) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Alabama (BS) |
William S. "Sandy" Stimpson (born April 4, 1952) is an American businessman and politician who serves as the current mayor of Mobile, Alabama.
A member of the Republican Party, he was elected August 27, 2013, defeating incumbent Democratic Mayor Sam Jones.[1] In 2017, Stimpson was reelected over Jones in a rematch.[2] In 2021, he defeated Fred Richardson and Karlos Finley with 62.5% of the vote.[3]
Personal life
Stimpson is a 1970 graduate of University Military School, now known as UMS-Wright. He received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1975, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity.[4][5]
In 2017, Stimpson was found to be a paying member of the Comic Cowboys Mardi Gras group, a group which paraded with posters including derogatory remarks toward Black leaders and communities in the Mobile area. He later resigned from the group after his membership was publicly revealed.[6][7]
Stimpson is married to Jean Miller of Brewton, Alabama.
Career
Upon graduating from the University of Alabama, Stimpson began a 37-year career with Gulf Lumber Company, his father's company, and its successor, Scotch & Gulf Lumber. He was chief financial officer prior to leaving the company to run for office in 2012.[8]
"One Mobile"
Stimpson developed the concept of "One Mobile"[clarification needed] during his first election campaign. A nonprofit organization "OneMobile.org" was created in April 2014. It has since become defunct.
Mayor of Mobile
A member of the Republican Party, he was elected August 27, 2013, with 54% of the vote, defeating incumbent Democratic Mayor Sam Jones.[9] Stimson ran on a platform of public safety and economic development.[10][11][12][13] In 2017, he was reelected with 59% of the vote over Jones in a rematch.[14] In 2021, he defeated Fred Richardson[who?] and Karlos Finley[who?] with 62.5% of the vote.[15]
In 2017, Mayor Stimpson unsuccessfully attempted to decriminalize cannabis in the City of Mobile.[16] In December 2018, he, along with other city officials, was criticized for spending $108,000 on three artificial Christmas trees. The city's special events budget stipulates that any purchase costing more than $7,500 necessitates notification of the council. According to city officials, the trees have a 10- to 12-year life span so they are a long-term investment not falling under the special events budget. [17] In 2022, Mayor Stimpson appointed LGBTQIA+ liaisons to the City of Mobile. This is the first time openly LGBTQIA+ liaisons have served at the City level in the City of Mobile. In April 2022, he endorsed Pridefest 2022, and Translucent, marking the first ever city-wide Pride and Trans celebration.[18][19]
References
- ^ "Sandy Stimpson elected as Mayor of Mobile", wkrg.com, August 27, 2013
- ^ "Mayor Stimpson Wins Re-Election"
- ^ "Election Results". 30 April 2022.
- ^ “Sighs of Psi”, Uadke.org, October, 2013
- ^ Sawyer, Jessica (October 20, 2013). "From privilege to servant: Sandy Stimpson eager to bring lifetime of experience to new role as Mobile mayor". al.com. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Ire grows around racial satire in Mobile Mardi Gras parade". AL.com. March 3, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ Williams, Jasmine (8 March 2017). "Mobile Mayor admits involvement with controversial Comic Cowboys". Weartv.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ Official Biography, CityofMobile.org
- ^ "Sandy Stimpson elected as Mayor of Mobile", wkrg.com, August 27, 2013
- ^ "Mayor continues bold pledge: Mobile will be 'safest city in America by 2020.' Is it doable?". AL.com. August 17, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ Knowles, Alexa (April 3, 2018). "Will Mobile be the safest city in America by 2020?". fox10tv.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ "2017 crime stats shine light on Mobile's goal to becoming safest city in America". fox10tv.com. January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ "What’s next for mayor-elect Sandy Stimpson?", lagniappe.com, September 4, 2013
- ^ "Mayor Stimpson Wins Re-Election"
- ^ "Election Results". 30 April 2022.
- ^ "Mayor Stimpson Seeks to "Decriminalize" Marijuana Possession". 15 May 2017.
- ^ Fierro, Nicole (8 January 2019). "NBC 15 INVESTIGATES: Six figure price tag for Mobile Christmas trees". Mynbc15.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ "Home". mobpride.org.
- ^ "Mobile appoints first-ever LGBTQ liaisons". 3 February 2022.
