A political action committee (PAC) campaigning for annexation in west Mobile has close ties to Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and the city administration, campaign records show.

Under Alabama law, public officials have the right to engage in political activities. But the close ties between the PAC and the mayor show just how important annexation is to the city’s administration, which has heralded the move as a needed expansion of the city’s borders.

On the Alabama Secretary of State website, Stephanie Alexander is listed as the chair of the One Mobile PAC, a committee formed to campaign for annexation. Alexander previously served as director of campaign operations and fund development for Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s re-election campaign in 2021, according to LinkedIn.

The PAC’s campaign manager, Katelanne Fadalla, took a leave of absence from her position as special assistant to Stimpson in order to lead the PAC’s efforts, according to Jason Johnson, a spokesperson for the city of Mobile.

The PAC has arranged several informational meetings in west Mobile for residents to learn about annexation. At those meetings, several senior city officials, including Stimpson, Police Chief Paul Prine, Fire Chief Jeremy Lami and Chief of Staff James Barber give presentations on the benefits of annexation. Mobile County Revenue Commissioner Kim Hastie has appeared at a few of the meetings in order to provide guidance for residents on how their taxes might change if they vote for annexation.