The same consultants who gave Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin a lopsided victory in his city's mayoral election last week are moving resources to Mobile for the September 23 runoff between State Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile) and former Mobile County District Court Judge Spiro Cheriogotis.
VoteShift has worked on campaigns for Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, Little Rock, Ark. Mayor Frank Scott and Memphis Mayor Paul Young.
Now, it appears that Drummond has hired the firm. According to expenditure reports with the Alabama Secretary of State's Office, Drummond's campaign has paid the firm nearly $249,000.
Woodfin's campaign paid VoteShift over $648,500 during the 2025 campaign cycle, and Woodfin secured another term.
After winning the municipal election without having to enter into a runoff, Woodfin announced his endorsement for Drummond.
The founder of VoteShift, Daniel Deriso, shared a social media post stating that the changes that Woodfin brought to Birmingham are on the way to Mobile. According to the post, those policies include "tuition-free college, legal protection and healthcare for LGBTQ+ people, mental health resources in schools," and more.
VoteShift claims to work for campaigns fighting for "racial equity, climate justice and a shared economic future." The firm focuses on affordable housing, voting rights and "safer communities."
However, Birmingham is listed among the most dangerous small cities in America, topping the nation in murders in 2024, with 73 murders per 100,000 residents.
Little Rock was number two on the list with 39 murders per 100,000 residents. Little Rock was also number one for aggravated assaults, with 1,457 per 100,000 residents.
Memphis was number 3 on the list of most dangerous large cities, with 43 murders per 100,000 residents. Memphis was also number one for aggravated assaults, with 1,942 per 100,000 residents.
Drummond is in the September 23 runoff with former Mobile County District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis. Municipal races in Alabama are non-partisan.
Drummond's other endorsements include the Southern Poverty Law Center's (SPLC) Action Fund and former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook).
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