Citing a desire to create jobs, improve the economy and protect traditional conservative principles and values, State Rep. Jim McClendon (R – Springville) has announced he will be a candidate for the District 11 Senate seat, which comprises portions of St. Clair, Shelby and Talladega counties, during the 2014 election cycle.

“While I have enjoyed my 11 years in the Alabama House and our successful efforts to implement historic change, create thousands of jobs and promote conservative policies in state government, I know I can be even more effective as a member of the State Senate,” McClendon said.  I am known for standing for what I believe and I’ll work everyday to give the three counties of Senate District 11 the strongest possible representation.

Elected to the Alabama House in 2002, McClendon currently serves as chairman of the body’s Health Committee, where he recently helped pass landmark Medicaid reform legislation designed to save state taxpayers millions of dollars in healthcare costs.

He also served as chairman of the House Ethics Committee during the 2010 Special Session on Ethics; holds a seat on the Joint Prison Oversight Committee; served as Chairman of the Hospital Committee of the State Health Coordinating Council, and is House chair of the Redistricting Committee, which is responsible for drawing congressional, legislative and state school board districts.

McClendon is a retired optometrist who operated practices in Leeds and Moody and taught clinical optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  He served in the Navy Medical Service Corps in Vietnam, and received the Navy Commendation with the Combat V.

He and his wife, the former El Tate of Arab, reside on their family farm in St. Clair Springs and attend the First United Methodist Church of Springville.

The Republican primary for the District 11 Senate seat is schedule for June 4, 2014.