Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson officially declared her candidacy for Mobile mayor Wednesday, saying that making the city “safe and family-friendly” is a top priority as well as seeing through major developments started by outgoing Mayor Sandy Stimpson.

Hudson, a Republican commissioner for the past 15 years, said in a video announcement that she feels a “deep sense of obligation, love and respect” for Mobile, in officially announcing her candidacy during the Aug. 26 municipal election.

Hudson is the first mayoral candidate to formally announce her intention to run for the seat. If elected, she will be the first woman to hold the city’s top political post.

The mayoral race, unlike county commission contests, is non-partisan.

“These past few months, I have given a great deal of prayerful consideration to understand God’s plan for my life and to make important decisions about my future in how best I can serve the City of Mobile and the Mobile regional area which is linked so closely to the future success of our city,” Hudson said in the video announcement.

Her announcement comes one day before she is set to deliver a presentation during the Mobile Chamber’s annual State of the City/County Address.

“The city of Mobile is my home,” she continued. “It’s been very good to me and my family. It’s where I worked, volunteered, served in public office and lived nearly my entire life.”

Hudson also cited numerous past experiences that she said will prepare her for the mayoral seat. Hudson served on the Mobile City Council representing District 6 from 2001-2010 and said that experience with council included “shared goals” in supporting neighborhoods, city services, public safety and constituent concerns.

She also cited her time on the county commission, in which she led efforts to develop a city soccer complex and a future, $22.5 million aquatic center. She also touted her backing of other projects such as a drop-off recycling center, a senior center that is named after her, parks and recreational programs, music education in schools, litter abatement, mental health courts and for “directing more than $200 million” to road and bridge projects.

Hudson also thanked Stimpson for his time in office. Stimpson announced in September that he was not seeking a fourth term as mayor.

She vowed to continue supporting the projects that have begun during his tenure, specifically the construction of a new $300 million Mobile Civic Center and a $381 million, five-gate airport terminal at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. Both of those projects will be ongoing during the next mayoral term.

Hudson said she will welcome input from the outgoing mayor as the projects continue to develop in the coming months and years.

“He spearheaded efforts to build a new Civic Center and the downtown Mobile International Airport,” Hudson said, describing the projects as “transformative for our region and must be completed.”

“With your support, I’ll make sure these and major capital projects underway will be completed responsibly and with long-term benefits to our city,” Hudson said.

Hudson also said she wants to prioritize beautification of Mobile’s neighborhoods, and litter abatement. She also vowed to enhance and expand city parks as well as quality-of-life attractions – arts, culture and entertainment programming – that will enable Mobile to compete with growing cities nearby.

Hudson also said that public safety will be a priority and that she will “implement strategies” to retain police officers, adding that she had worked with two sheriffs – Republicans Sam Cochran and Paul Burch – during her tenure on the county commission “to provide the necessary funding and resources to keep our county safe.”

Hudson is the only candidate to file any paperwork to run for the open seat on Aug. 26. Some potential candidates – such as Hudson’s former county commission colleague and ex-U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl – have announced that they will not be running for mayor.

Mobile County District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis, who has pushed back on Stimpson before over views about crime in Mobile, said he has not made a “full decision yet” on whether he will give up his judicial post to run for mayor.

“I’m strongly considering it,” he told AL.com. “I’m getting closer to a decision but enjoying being judge and loving every minute of it.”