District 4 special election: The game is on
By Chip Drago
Mobile Bay Times
The special election to fill the District 4 seat on the Mobile City Council will not be a party pooper after all.
Two candidates -- John Williams, a retired military officer; and Michael Sullivan, a computer programmer -- have qualified to run in the Jan. 23 election.
The two and perhaps others will vie to replace former District 4 Councilman Ben Brooks who was elected to the state Senate last month.
Williams is a retired U.S. Army major, and his wife, a dentist here, is a colonel in the reserves, as well. The couple attend St. Ignatius Catholic Church. He has served as president of the Riviere du Chien homeowners organization.
Williams is reportedly a frontrunner to receive Brooks' endorsement. He may also have lined up the support of the Mobile firefighters who have long figured prominently in city elections, particularly in District 4.
Less information was readily available about Sullivan who is employed with SSI, a successful medical billing software company headquartered here.
Sullivan and Williams emerged from the shadows as other prospective candidates have for the most part retreated into the shadows.
Brooks allies Marilyn Culpepper of the Mobile Historic Preservation Society and insurance executive Jim Bell have opted against a bid for the office. Patricia Mark, an assistant professor in the University of South Alabama communications department, gave some thought to running but also decided against it.
Reportedly, real estate executive Gavin Bender and Kim Barton, wife of state Rep. Jim Barton, have also decided to stay on the sidelines. Retired military officer Pete Riehm will put off his first try for public office and instead will favor Williams.
"I have decided not to run, but I have decided to support John C. Williams," said Riehm. "A retired Army officer, he is well qualified and possesses the leadership skills this position requires."
Although the election is non-partisan, local Democratic Party officials sought to persuade attorney Danny Mims to enter the race, sources reported. Mims is the son of Lambert C. Mims, a longtime Mobile city commissioner and former mayor under that form of government.
Still thought to be a prospective candidate is Mabin Hicks, a south Mobile printer and former city councilman who lost the seat to Brooks in the 2001 city elections. He later became a supporter of Brooks.
Statements of candidacy must be filed with Mobile City Clerk Glenda Morgan no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11.
If necessary, a run-off election would be held either Tuesday, Feb. 13 or Tuesday, March 6, depending upon Department of Justice approval under the Voting Rights Act.
The voting centers to be used for this special election are:
- First Independent Methodist Church, 4548 Halls Mill Road
- Morningside School, 2700 Greenbriar Drive
- Parkway Branch Library, 1924-B Dauphin Island Parkway
- Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1621 Boykin Boulevard
- Kate Shepard School, 1176 Azalea Road
- Laun Park Recreation Center, 5401 Windmill Drive
Any qualified elector who has resided within City Council District 4 for at least 90 days on Election Day, and has been a resident of the City of Mobile for one year, may qualify to run for this office by filing the appropriate forms and paying any appropriate fees.
