A new type of leadership is what Gulf Shores resident and businesswoman Angie Swiger says is what the city wants.

Swiger announced her bid to run for the mayor of Gulf Shores.

“I think that people are looking for a change,” Swiger said. “I think we’ve had the same leadership for over 20 years – 21 to be exact – and I just think I can bring a different type of leadership style to the table that will be well received.”

After 11 years on the Baldwin County Board of Education (BOE), Swiger said she has the experience to move the city forward. She said it’s the people of Gulf Shores that breed her passion to serve.

“I think the biggest asset we have in Gulf Shores is our people,” said Swiger. “So, I enjoy serving them. Spending that many years on a board, I have a lot of experience in knowing how to work with other people on the board, knowing how to work with other governmental entities and with the public to make things better, to progress and move – I was able to move our school system forward.”

As a BOE member, Swiger led initiatives such as the Learning for Life Career Academy, foreign language instruction in elementary schools, and she pushed to increase technology in classrooms. She said she was able to make change by listening to those impacted by policy, such as principals and teachers. 

Swiger said she would focus on city departments in a similar way, by speaking directly to the “boots on the ground” to find out what assets are needed. That’s why she wants to form a new Citizen Advisory Committee if she is elected.

Using “The People’s Mayor” platform, Swiger said she believes a city should be governed by the people as opposed to being governed from the top-down. 

After hearing from her constituents, Swiger was inspired to run for the city’s top spot to ensure citizens feel heard and to protect the quality-of-life people enjoy in Gulf Shores.

“I think our residents often feel like everything is created for the tourists and the residents are kind of left behind,” Swiger said. “So, I want to make sure that we remember why the residents are here and who supports our community year-round.”

Swiger said she has a vision for the future of Gulf Shores and as a realtor, she recognizes the importance of managing growth.

“I want to put a moratorium on housing units on housing development until we can kind of get our hands around the infrastructure,” Swiger explained. “I want to make sure that we have the correct infrastructure to support the 17,000 residents who live here.” 

The Swiger family moved to Gulf Shores from Birmingham in 2003. Their home and family-owned restaurant was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Even though her family was out of their home for nine months, the experience made her realize how special the community was.

“The people were amazing,” Swiger said. “They were kind and resilient and they offered us their homes, they offered to take in our children, they brought meals while we were trying to put our business and our home back together. 

“So, that’s really what made me fall in love with Gulf Shores and it’s really what made me want to serve on the school board and now as mayor.”

Swiger owns a local real estate business. She and her husband have four children and attend Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church.