As part of the Mobile Chamber’s 2025 Election Guide, we invited each candidate running for Mobile City Council and mayor of Mobile to respond to a series of questions to help inform our members and the public ahead of the August 26 municipal election. 

The Mobile Chamber’s 2025 Election Guide is a nonpartisan resource focused exclusively on the mayoral and city council races that will shape the future of Mobile. These local leaders are instrumental in setting policies that impact economic development, infrastructure, public safety and overall quality of life.

While the Chamber does not endorse candidates, our goal is to provide voters with clear, factual information about those seeking public office, especially those committed to job creation, workforce development and fostering a strong, pro-business climate.

We encourage every voter to be informed and engaged. Your voice and your vote are vital to shaping Mobile’s future.

Meet the Candidates from each district for Mobile City Council:

District 1 | District 2 | District 3 | District 4 | District 5 | District 6 | District 7

Meet the Mayoral Candidates:

Spiro Cheriogotis | Barbara Drummond | Connie Hudson | Paul Prine

The responses from the City Council candidates are printed in their entirety and have not been edited.

If a candidate’s responses do not appear, the candidate did not respond.

District 7 Candidate’s Full Name

Robert E. Battles, Sr.

Gina Rhea Gregory

Campaign Website/Social Media:

Robert E. Battles: www.battlesfordistrict7.com

Gina Gregory:

voteginagregory.com – website
ginagregoryformobilecitycouncildistrict7 – facebook
voteginagregory – instagram

Current Occupation:

Robert E. Battles: Retired

Gina Gregory: fulltime City Councilmember District 7

Previous Public Offices Held (if any):

Robert E. Battles: Former School Board Commissioner district 4

Gina Gregory: Mobile City Council District 7

Why are you running for Mobile City Council, and what qualifies you to represent your district effectively?

Robert E. Battles: I’m running for Mobile City Council to increase the quality of life for district 7, and to make sure every neighborhood receives adequate representation. Since 1985 when the first city Council was installed, I was the first administrative assistant to Dr. Charles A. Thompson from 1985-89. The purpose of the Zogby Act was to ensure that African Americans had leverage to change the City of Mobile in District 1-3.

Gina Gregory: The easy and expected answer to this question is that I have 20 years of experience serving the citizens of District 7 and the City of Mobile. I am the most qualified candidate in the race, with a proven record of successfully bringing projects to fruition, supporting my constituents and building relationships in the district and citywide. I am a consensus builder with a strong rational, practical voice on the Council. I believe my constituents appreciate and support me because I have always supported and worked for them – no matter where they live, no matter their race/ethnicity or gender. But, here’s what makes me good at this job: I care. I see myself as a servant leader – not a politician. I’m in this position to make the lives of my constituents better, to always advocate for them and to make our city better and at the end of the day to make a difference. That’s the real answer.

What do you believe is the most important issue or project in your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?

Robert E. Battles: The most important issue in District 7 is to follow the money. Since 2005 our representative has had access to over 100 million dollars, but yet Mobile Terrace, Hillsdale, and Princeton Woods has not benefited the from these allocated funds. Also $24 million dollars to widen Ziegler Blvd, $19 million to expand the tennis courts, but in Hillsdale over $500k has been allocated from 2022-2028 but was partially funded. In Mobile Terrace I found $0 allocation under the CIP Program to improve the quality of life with a new park, or assistance to senior residents to help improve the quality of life.

Gina Gregory: Safety is the number one issue and priority in my district and citywide. With the ever-growing concern and fear about the rise of gun violence among our teens and young adults, people are more hesitant than ever before to attend public events and sometimes to even sit on their front porches or walk to their mailboxes. If I had a magic wand, I would’ve solved the problem a long time ago. But there is no magic wand, no one answer to fix things. Fortunately, people citywide are waking up to the realization that gun violence in our city is everyone’s problem to solve and it takes a team mindset to do that. I am and will be part of that team, supporting, funding, and leading in every way as a city councilmember and as a Mobilian. You can’t have a good quality of life without good public safety.

When it comes to specific issues and projects in my district, I always prioritize and balance citizens needs with their wants. Needs include infrastructure updates while wants are focused on more and better amenities. The $4,000,000 in Capital Improvement Program funds dedicated to each of our council districts has made it possible to make a big dent in resolving and improving both infrastructure needs and more and better amenities in District 7. Without the CIP I couldn’t prioritize spending nearly $2,000,000 on resurfacing streets, or $600,000 on sidewalk repairs and filling in gaps, or another $600,000 to build a new playground or $300,000 to renovate a senior center. Once you begin adding up the costs to do these projects, you quickly understand that $4,000,000 is not nearly enough to do everything and why it’s so important to plan and budget ahead to bring these projects to fruition.

Now that the Ziegler Blvd. widening project is about 95% complete, another big project is finishing the renovation and updates to Langan Park, the city’s largest park and used by people throughout the region. Dredging is set to begin this summer. We have a plan in place for the park’s complete renovation, and we are working on that plan step by step.

A big infrastructure issue that impacts thousands of motorists, residents and businesses that we must address is widening Cody Road North from Airport Blvd. to the dead end at the Orchard Estates neighborhoods. That along with resolving and reworking the bottleneck at the Cody Road N. – Overlook Rd.- and Howells Ferry Rd. intersection tops my list. This project will take planning and funding from the City of Mobile, but also from our partners at Mobile County and possibly the State of Alabama. I have already started the discussion so that our City Administration and Mobile County are aware that it is a priority for the district.

Other issues on my list include:

• paving the remaining dirt roads in the district
• funding more resurfacing, concrete updates & repairs, and ditch maintenance
• supporting both multi-family and single-family housing developments
• supporting new businesses in the district
• installing speed bumps when neighborhood groups request them
• continuing to improve ball fields & installation of new lights
• funding grant applications for home repairs
• funding and working with neighborhood groups to make improvements

How will you work with the Mobile Chamber to attract and retain businesses in the City of Mobile?

Robert E. Battles: I will convene a meeting with Chamber President Mr. Bradley Byrne, to access the needs for business and corporation improvement, and deal with the City of Mobile to make sure minority businesses receive input and participation in DEBs and get their fare share.

Gina Gregory: I have always been a big cheerleader for recruiting and retaining businesses. That includes more than just agreeing to fund incentives. I listen, join meetings and travel when needed to sell Mobile and support new business while retaining existing businesses.
I am very supportive of the Chamber’s efforts to help our out-of-town businesses and developers navigate the City’s permitting and planning processes. Making things easier and less stressful is a very big plus and good for business!

What is your position on offering competitive, performance-based incentives to support existing industry expansion and new company relocation to the Mobile area?

Robert E. Battles: My position is to work with expanding companies through interviews, and with proposals to address their concerns and input in receiving performance contracts, and other accessibility with regard for race, creed, color, or national origin.

Gina Gregory: We’ve known for a long time that in the world of economic development you must “pay to play”. The question is how much to pay. I think the dollar amount or abatements should depend on what the new or existing business brings to the city and how the City of Mobile and Mobile County benefit in the long term.

How would you advocate for small business growth, especially in underserved areas of the city?

Robert E. Battles: I would convene with the Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Program, and contribute to that effect. Also to collaborate with Ms. Kidd Dept of Minority Business Program, to make sure equal access is available to all inquire.

Gina Gregory: Incentives should be offered to small businesses and to those willing to locate in underserved areas of our city. Small businesses are the backbone of our city and deserve the same consideration for incentives as big businesses. The City of Mobile’s budget includes a line item for economic development. To ensure small businesses are getting the help they need, we could earmark a portion of that money for them

Do you support streamlining permitting, licensing and development processes? If so, what specific improvements would you pursue?

Robert E. Battles: I would pursue for example Clarence Ball Corp applying for application to build affordable housing but was denied, due to citizens concerns about traffic, but the city council denied to hold over the applicant to address the community concerns in regards about traffic.The applicant offered to pay for a traffic study to study the negative impact the traffic would have on the community. I would make sure that all applicants receive due process of law for developments on a equal basis.

Gina Gregory: Yes! I continue to hear complaints about how long it takes to get a permit, red tape, that one hand or department doesn’t know or recognize what the other is doing, etc. I think bringing representatives of businesses together with City department heads and Chamber leaders to work out the issues and put a plan together is the route to take. The resolution may require changes in policy and/ordinances, and I am happy to lead the charge to make the changes needed.

What is your approach to infrastructure investment (roads, drainage, broadband, etc.) and how do you see it supporting economic growth in your district and throughout Mobile?

Robert E. Battles: I support infrastructure development which have been primarily supported by the Mobile City Council through the CIP Program to make the old infrastructure is repaired to protect the welfare and safety of the residents in District 7. It support economic growth by having the stability of the community and protect from caving infrastructure, it protect liability for businesses, so they can insure the safety and the welfare of their customers.

Gina Gregory: I work with our City Engineers to assess the district’s needs for road work, drainage repairs & cleaning and more. For resurfacing we use a street assessment plan, along with information collected from our citizens including complaints and requests. Then, I always drive & inspect the streets we’re looking at before making a final decision on each budget cycle’s resurfacing. This coming year we have a newly updated street assessment plan to help determine priorities for resurfacing. It takes the guesswork out of the equation and has really helped with our planning.

We determine which drainage projects to undertake in which budget cycle in much the same way as we do resurfacing. Our engineers have mapped out areas for potential repairs – some that will run into the millions of dollars and other smaller repairs that don’t cost nearly as much but will still resolve a lot of issues. I work with them to determine which issues to tackle immediately, and which ones can wait. As always, we’re looking for the biggest “bang for our limited bucks”.

Everything we do is about the quality of life, from public safety to good roads, drainage and broadband internet accessibility. Without these it is impossible to attract new business to our city or to retain and grow existing businesses. So, our attention to using capital dollars only for capital needs is essential.

Public safety is a concern for residents and employers alike. What steps would you take to make Mobile safer and more business-friendly?

Robert E. Battles: I would establish a community public safety committee to gather concerns and information from citizens and businesses alike that have been impacted by crime. It is very difficult to talk about public safety if you don’t know a criminal, to address prevention programs, to provent any citizen from becoming an active participant in crime. In a last result , if you see something say something.

Gina Gregory: Public safety is the number one priority for city government. As city leaders our responsibility is to make sure we can recruit, retain and pay our First Responders. We must also treat these men and women with respect and give them the credit they deserve for putting their lives on the line every day to serve and protect us. They do their jobs well.

As a city leader, my role is to support, initiate, fund, and participate in efforts aimed at reducing crime and creating safe working environments. Making Mobile safe is a community responsibility. We all must step up and say it’s not OK to pull out a gun during a children’s dance recital in a crowded theater to shoot & kill someone over a disagreement. As city leaders we must be proactive in our support and participation in collaborative efforts to identify root causes of this violence and help resolve them for all our sakes. Nobody wants to move to a city or bring a business to a city they believe is not safe

What is your approach to new and affordable housing in Mobile, and will you support policies that encourage diverse housing options to meet the needs of the workforce and growing population?

Robert E. Battles: Yes, I would work with Bishop State Community College, The University of South Alabama, The Chamber, to determine how I can as a Council member to support their efforts to build affordable housing and a good community for all.

Gina Gregory: I support the development of all varieties of housing from multi-family to single family and at all price levels. We have a diverse community with many needs for housing that aren’t being met. One of the newer types of housing needs we’re hearing more and more about is “attainable” housing. That label covers people who are in the workforce, some are single while others have families, but they can’t afford to pay market price rents or to buy a house at market prices. Seniors are another group in need of safe, decent and attainable or affordable housing. I have one senior apartment complex under construction in my district and there is a long waiting list of people eager to move in.

I’m currently working with two different developers interested in purchasing properties and building single family homes in my district. Mobile is growing, developers are interested in building here and it’s good to see this growth on the northwest side of the city.

What role do you believe public transportation should play in Mobile’s growth, and how will you support improvements that connect residents to jobs education, and essential services?

Robert E. Battles: Our greatest concern in regards to transportation, as a former member of the Board of Director of the Mobile Transit Authority, the City of Mobile and the Transit Authority has just submitted a plan to address the transportation problems in the City of Mobile. I would address the areas in my district and throughout the city concerning the ridership, because most citizens need to get to work, medical appointments, and shopping. Now that the US House of Representatives has pass the President big beautiful bill, the impact on all citizens will be impacted by cuts transportation services.

Gina Gregory: Public transportation should be available, inexpensive and safe. It should reflect the needs of our community. It should not be a “one size fits all” approach. We need to consider park and rides, smaller vans/buses/shuttles, and shorter routes that fit the greatest needs of our citizens.

What is your vision for Mobile’s economic future, and how will your leadership help advance that vision citywide and in your district?

Robert E. Battles: By incorporating with the new mayor and city council members to access the economic help of our community, base on the impact the federal government cuts in program’s. From there we can access the needs of the entire city and economic plan for the city and district 7.

Gina Gregory: My vision for Mobile’s economic future is growth in a variety of sectors, sustainable neighborhoods, a walkable community with attractive and well used amenities, adequate housing and residents who feel safe and secure living in their city. My role as a city leader is to help make this vision become a reality.

Mobile Chamber’s 2025 Election Guide: Mayoral and City Council Races

The Mobile Chamber’s 2025 Election Guide is a nonpartisan resource designed to help voters prepare for the upcoming August 26 municipal election. This guide focuses exclusively on the mayoral and city council races that will shape the future of Mobile.

View the Mobile Chamber’s 2025 Election Guide.

Click the name of the mayoral candidate to learn about their positions and priorities:

Spiro Cheriogotis | Barbara Drummond | Connie Hudson | Paul Prine

Click the district to view the candidates for Mobile City Council to learn their positions and priorities:

District 1 | District 2 | District 3 | District 4 | District 5 | District 6 | District 7