Hudson Campaign for Mobile Mayorship Announces Leadership Team

March 10, 2025 - MOBILE, Ala. - Today, the Connie Hudson for Mayor Campaign introduced its campaign management team. The campaign leadership team includes Wiley Blankenship as Campaign Manager, Aqualyn Kennedy as Communications Director, and Dr. Raoul Richardson, PHD. as Community Outreach Director.

Wiley Blankenship is well known in our coastal area for his work building one of the greatest advocacy groups in south Alabama. This month, Wiley left his position as President and CEO of Coastal Alabama Partnership (CAP) to join the Hudson campaign. Wiley brings more than a decade of experience in growing the voice of south Alabama from government relations to economic development and regional collaboration. Growing CAP from its inception, Wiley played a pivotal role in advancing Coastal Alabama's competitiveness, spearheading initiatives to promote tourism, infrastructure investment, and workforce development.

"I'm excited to join the Connie Hudson for Mayor campaign and contribute my expertise to drive positive, meaningful change for every single resident of Mobile," said Blakenship. "Working with Commissioner Hudson over the years, I've been impressed with her vision and work ethic. Her record speaks for itself, but as a resident raising a family in the city, I greatly appreciate her commitment to improving our quality of life. As our next Mayor, I know she will keep the momentum going, and more importantly, I know that she is the only candidate with the experience to deliver progress on day one."

Aqualyn Kennedy is an experienced strategic communicator with over 20 years of experience in marketing and brand management, including her tenure at Procter & Gamble and the American Heart Association. She is also the co-founder of Kennedy Strategic Communications, where she has advised clients across industries on brand strategy, crisis management, and public relations. She is invested in the community through volunteer work with numerous non-profit organizations across Mobile. In her role with the campaign, Aqualyn will oversee communication efforts and collaborate with the team on unique and creative ways to carry the campaign's message across all of Mobile.

Dr. Raoul Richardson will spearhead community outreach efforts for the campaign, delivering the combined communications and field strategies across the city. Dr. Richardson has dedicated his years to community services. He has been engaged with dozens of area organizations, including President of Mobile United, the Mobile Area Interfaith Conference, the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission, the Gulf Coast Health Policy Coalition, and the University of South Alabama. Over the years, Dr. Richardson has built an impressive record of working with the County Commission, the Stimpson administration, and the Governor's office to support Mobile's community-based service groups.

"I am so excited to welcome Wiley, Aqualyn, and Dr. Richardson to our team," said Hudson. "Wiley has been a trusted leader who I know will do a great job of keeping our campaign focused on delivering the momentum Mobile deserves. Both Aqualyn and Dr. Richardson bring high-level expertise to the campaign team, and they will ensure that we maintain a strong message of experience and trust across Mobile. Over the last decade, I have worked hard as a County Commissioner to create strong partnerships and this team represents the exact kind of leadership I intend to lean on as we take Mobile to the next level."

The Hudson Campaign builds on Commissioner Hudson's extensive public service. With a wealth of experience on the Mobile County Commission and the Mobile City Council, Hudson has championed transformative projects such as the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility site selection, the expansions at Austal, the west-Mobile road expansion from I-I-10 to I-65 through Saraland and Theodore, our Mobile County Recycling Center, senior centers across the county, community centers and recreational parks including Mobile's Soccer Complex.

While the next mayor's first focus will be completing the projects currently underway, Hudson's campaign platform focuses on continuing economic development growth with an emphasis on keeping those jobs in Mobile to enhance the quality of life across all communities. Increasing public safety, prioritizing environmental initiatives and infrastructure improvements, expanding sports and recreational activities, and amplifying neighborhood beautification efforts lead the list of efforts Hudson will focus on in her first term.

To learn more about Connie Hudson's vision for Mobile or to join the campaign, visit VoteConnie.com. Contact the Connie Hudson for Mayor campaign team by emailing campaign@VoteConnie.com