Mobile mayoral candidate Paul Prine said his grassroots campaign is gaining momentum, which is expected to lead to a strong showing in the August 26 municipal election.
Prine is running in a crowded race against political pundits who have held elected offices for years. However, as a former police chief, Prine said he has the experience required to run the city.
Prine said his most significant endorsements come from the public, not from politicians. He said he doesn't watch for political endorsements on any level because he has learned that politicians make moves based on their agendas, rather than what is best for the people.
"My endorsements are coming from the average everyday citizens," he said. "I don't get worked up over political endorsements because you have to remember that with a political endorsement, while they got voted in, there was a large portion of people that didn't vote for them."
The municipal election is non-partisan, but Prine has picked up support from both Republicans and Democrats in Mobile. He said that support is a direct reflection of his work in the community.
"We all have a public reputation, but we all have our character and integrity," he explained. "And I have been in public safety in my current role as a law enforcement officer for 30 years. So, the people that are supporting me across the demographic lines and across geo lines, ethnicity and race lines and political lines are people that have known me for 30 years, are supporting me because of the life that I've lived."
"You can't fake influence and you can't fake the people," Prine added said. "And people know when you're being authentic; they know when you're being genuine."
An online unscientific poll showed Prine in second place, only three percentage points behind Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson. After reviewing the results, Prine said he believes an opponent's team may have used technology to increase their numbers. He said that while it's a good strategy on his opponent's part, he was pleased to see that he was still a frontrunner.
Prine did not mention an opponent's name and stated that he would continue to run a clean campaign without attacking others. He said he is thankful his opponents have done the same.
While his background in law enforcement lends itself to public safety, Prine said during his campaign, he has also realized the need for Mobile to focus on catering to businesses.
"Virtually every contractor and business developer and land developer that I have talked with talks about the horror stories of the permitting process, of the zoning issues and all that go with building, developing, and contracting," Prine said. "And you know, it's one thing to have one person's perspective, but when that's the common thing amongst the business people in those specialty fields, then we have a problem."
The former police chief also aims to focus on workforce development by mirroring Baldwin County's program, which helps high school students become certified in specific trades before graduation. He believes that it could also lead to a reduction in crime.
If elected mayor, Prine vowed to facilitate growth in the business community
With nearly three months of campaigning left, Prine said his campaign will continue work at ground level, meeting constituents and learning more about what they want.
"I represent the average, everyday citizen that just wants good governance and somebody that's going to be a good steward of their money," Prine said.
Prine said he is thankful for all of the volunteer campaign workers, their enthusiasm and their nonstop work.
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