St. Clair County Revenue Commissioner

Elizabeth Mealer

Dot Wood

Pell City Councilwoman Dot Wood has qualified to run for St. Clair County Revenue Commissioner in the June 3 Republican Primary.

A small business owner for more than 20 years, Wood said she wants to bring her experience to the office and move it forward, keeping pace with one of the fastest growing counties in the state.

“In today’s technology driven world, there is no need to stand in a line at the county courthouse to do business with the Revenue Commission. I will implement a system that gives citizens the option of doing their business online,” she said.

Wood owns Dot Wood Appraisal, and she cites her business and governmental experience as keys to making the office more progressive and serving the needs of the county.

Wood is a two-term city councilwoman, and she serves as president pro-tem of the Pell City Council. She is the first woman ever to be elected president pro-tem and only the second woman in Pell City’s history to be elected councilwoman.

On the state level, she chairs the Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board, also the first woman to hold that office.

She is a member of the Pell City, Springville and Moody chambers of commerce, Pell City Planning and Zoning Board and Pell City Rotary Club, associate member of St. Clair Realtors Association and serves as chairman of Pell City Business and Professional Women Scholarship Fund.

“Throughout my adult life, I have always been involved in community and public service,” she said, “and I will put my experience and dedication to work for all of the people of St. Clair County.”

Why are seeking election to the revenue commissioner’s office? Seeking election because I want to bring the office up to the 21st century. I have been a small business owner for than 20 years, I want to bring my experience to the office and move in forward, keeping pace with one of the fastest growing counties I the state.

 Why should voters choose you instead of your opponent? I will be a full time Revenue Commissioner not part time and answers to the other questions.

 What changes would you make to the revenue office? In today’s technology driven world, there is no need to stand in a line at the                  county courthouse to do business with the Revenue Commissioner’s Office. When elected I will implement a system that gives citizens the option of doing all their business online.

 What would be your main goal if elected? Business on line and going paperless. The Revenue Commissioner office is running out of room to store files and data.

 Why is this race important to voters? To make the needed changes in the Revenue Commissioner office. I have a plan to save money and time for the Revenue Commissioner’s office.

Jenny Seals

Jenny Seals is a Republican candidate seeking re-election for the position of St. Clair County Superintendent of Education. Mrs. Seals has served as superintendent for over 7 1/2 years. Prior to serving as superintendent Seals has served the St. Clair County School System for 28 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal.  Jenny Seals is a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Moody and her son Bradley is a nursing student at Jacksonville University.

 In light of the current St. Clair County statement, “Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,” Seals’ administration has made great progress by providing 21st century technology, adding Advance Placement courses in every high school, six pre-kindergarten classes, and new career tech programs in the system. Seals focus for St. Clair County students remains whatever is in their very best interests. Even in the face of economic downturn during her two terms, Seals continues to maintain a fiscally conservative and responsible annual budget of approximately 80 million dollars. Having received grants totaling over $4 million, Seals continues to provide stability for the St. Clair County schools by nurturing partnerships with stakeholders of the schools.  Seals stated, “We believe our schools must move beyond a focus on basic knowledge of core subjects to one that promotes higher thinking enabled by our 21st century skills such as problem solving, collaboration, and creativity.  This is because the St. Clair graduate of today must be able to compete with students in a global market.”  I want to thank you for trusting me to lead this school system as your superintendent for the last 7 1/2 years, and I ask for your vote again on June 3.”

What do St. Clair County Schools mean to you? In 1963, I started first grade as a student in St. Clair County. I am proud of my heritage and my education. Now, after investing 36 years of service to the children and families of our county as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and Superintendent, I still have a zest for moving our school system to the next level. Personally, within the last 15 years, some of the most ominous tragedies of my life have occurred with the deaths of my husband and daughter. Being your Superintendent has allowed me to redirect my grief into passion. My passion is to equip this generation of St. Clair County students to develop their own life goals and be prepared to go beyond those dreams. The children that make up the schools in St. Clair County mean the world to me. Some have a clear aim line toward their goals, while it is our job to open the eyes of other students to all of the possibilities this world has to offer.

 If elected, as superintendent what is the biggest change/improvement you would like to see in St. Clair schools?  As with any large entity, improvements are always rising to the surface. As superintendent, I am always searching for funding to add to our already successful programs. Currently, my team and I are working closely with St. Clair County’s Workforce Development staff. Aligning our career and technical programs to present and future needs is essential. Because of this, we are writing grants and directing existing funds to opening new career and technical programs. Proudly, I announce the opening of St. Clair County’s Culinary Arts program this fall. This is an example.  I am also dedicated to providing funds to equip students to take advantage of Advanced Placement (AP) and/or Dual Enrollment courses. Knowing that these opportunities will confidently prepare our students for college and open doors to scholarships, it is one of my biggest passions. I am proud that teachers are meeting the needs of students both emotionally and academically. A challenging curriculum only allows our students to press deeper and work harder. One of my greatest joys is to visit our Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. You can see the light bulbs come on by the minute. We have written grants, allocated funds and petitioned the Alabama Office of School Readiness for more Pre-K classes. We have enough data now to show that the Pre-K (4) experience has greatly enhanced our students’ chances for success as they enter more sophisticated coursework. The bottom line with all of these initiatives is that I want all of our children prepared for their next steps in life. In my next term, should the voters continue to place their trust in me, I want to develop community/parent think tanks. Each community is different and has varied needs. I have always maintained an open door policy, but it will be my goal to get into the communities and listen to parents and citizens. We have much to learn from one another, and I want to tap into this power even further. This past year, as we began the process of developing our Five Year Strategic Plan, I held community meetings. It was refreshing to hear from our stakeholders. The information gained from these meetings not only informed our Five Year Strategic Plan, but has also been a catalyst for decision making this year. Transparency is important to me. As the largest employer in St. Clair County, the business end of our school system is vast. I want the public to be aware of current developments as we strive to meet needs in one of the fastest growing areas of Alabama. Our board meetings are open to the public, and unlike many other school systems around us, we still value the opportunity for the public to speak.  Finally, children and the opportunities we provide them has been my number one priority and will continue to be in my next term.

 What qualifies you to be superintendent over the schools in St. Clair County? Ronald Reagan once said, “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.” This quote gets to the core of what I believe about leadership and how I have done business at every level of school administration. I have served the St. Clair County school system for 28 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. The last 7.5 years, I have had the blessing of serving as your superintendent. I believe that together we can accomplish great things. It has been my mission to build capacity within our people and build them into leaders. Financially, I have led our system through some of the most turbulent years we have seen in generations. I have worked to keep our system progressive while at the same time protecting us financially. Four years ago, I deployed a task force to begin saturating our schools with technology. Since then, we have placed more than 3 million dollars’ worth of computers into the hands of our students. In time, this is an initiative I plan to continue. Because of my long tenure as superintendent, I have developed a network of support from all over our state. It has been my fortune to be selected over the years to sit on state committees.  Finally, the major thing that sets me apart is experience. Each day for nearly eight years I have made decisions, but mostly I have trusted my team of educators to provide our children with safe and educationally challenging environments. So, like Ronald Reagan, everything good for St. Clair County schools happen because of “us” not “me.”

 What areas of education make you passionate about being superintendent? My passion comes from our students. This week I attended graduations and awards ceremonies. To see the hope in the eyes of our children pushes me to work harder and longer to provide more for them. Children need experiences in order to make connections to learning. A “just right” curriculum for every child is our goal. I work each day to be more creative in developing new courses for students and high quality professional development for teachers. Each year I meet with previous graduates to determine their levels of success both in the workforce and in college to determine what we can do to better prepare each class that comes through. There is a large weight knowing that I am responsible for the educational and safety wellbeing of almost 9,000 students and 1,200 administrators, teachers and support staff. They all have dreams of being better and flying higher. I hope they all know how much I appreciate their work, love them and pray for their happiness.

 What experiences/visions set you apart from your opponent? Experience sets me apart from my opponent. In the face of economic downturn during my two terms as superintendent, I continue to maintain a fiscally conservative and responsible budget of 80 million dollars. I have also received over 4 million dollars in grants. Only someone with experience can handle this day to day. My experience has allowed me to provide stability for our school system by nurturing partnerships across the county, region and state. It took 28 years to prepare me to be superintendent with many hard bridges to cross. Twenty-first century learning for our students mandates that we make changes and focus on student needs. Our programs will become more varied over the coming years and stakeholders will see opportunities surface, which prepare our students to enter and contribute to our workforce here at home. My team and I are working on professional development for teachers that makes them more confident planning instruction that cultivates critical thinking, helps students be more creative with innovation and know how to see a project to a successful completion.  Safety is another issue about which I am always educating myself. I deployed a team two years ago to plan with local authorities to determine the best route for ensuring clear communication in the unfortunate event of a school safety emergency. As a result, all of our campuses are on “Virtual Alabama.” Police and emergency personnel can access our buildings virtually to aide in a situation should it ever occur. Also, we have buzzer systems in place in each school to better monitor who enters and exits facilities. Our safety plans are more comprehensive and our people are knowledgeable as it pertains to handling emergencies.  I ask you to trust my experience, trust that I am passionate for your (our) children, and trust that I am always searching for ways to move from good to great. I have a deep love for our children and would appreciate the opportunity to continue the grand vision of preparing our students of today to be the progressive leaders of St. Clair County in the future.

Gail Countryman

Gail Countryman is seeking the Republican nomination for St. Clair County’s superintendent of schools in next week’s primary election.

She has 10 years of teaching experience in county schools and holds a master’s degree in educational administration.  “Because my experience in education has been spent at the school level, I have a unique perspective of the needs of the students and employees in the schools,” she said.

She is married to David Countryman and has three children and seven grandchildren.  “My husband and I own a cattle and poultry farm and an automotive repair garage,” Countryman said.  “Since we make financial decisions together about our businesses, I have ideas on making decisions about the finances of the school system. I want to be a good steward of tax payers’ money.”

Countryman is a member of Steele Baptist Church, where she teaches a children’s Sunday school class. “I have prayed about this decision and feel convicted to take this challenge. I know that God has great plans in store for the St. Clair County School System. I would appreciate you honoring me with your vote,” she said.

What do St. Clair County schools mean to you? I have lived in St. Clair county for 45 years. This is my home and I am proud of it. My husband, my children and I attended and graduated from the St. Clair County School system. I currently have grandchildren attending St. Clair County Schools; therefore I have a personal interest in the school system. I want high quality teachers and administrators of this county to love this system and have a desire to work here.  My heart and soul are invested in St. Clair County School System and if I am given the chance, I will make sure that St. Clair County is a system that sets a standard that other systems will strive to follow.

 If elected, as superintendent what is the biggest change/ improvement you would like to see in St. Clair schools?  The biggest change would be how the procedures are carried out at the central office. I would like for St. Clair County Schools to have more community involvement. I think the central office has lost the trust of our citizens. I want to build that trust and have more transparency with how the system operates.  Records show that my opponent has drastically increased expenses at the central office. I would rather spend our tax dollars building a strong foundation on the school level helping supply principals, teachers and support staff with what they need for our children. All employees and potential employees should be treated fairly and given equal opportunity to succeed based on performance and qualifications. Hiring should be focused on merit instead of politics. Other improvements or change that I would like to see in St. Clair County Schools would include ways to expand career tech to meet the demands of the job market, getting equal technology in the hands of the students in all schools, proper funding from the state, finding ways to meet the needs of an ever growing population of special education students and assuring equal sports facilities for all schools.

 What qualifies you to be superintendent over the schools in St. Clair? I earned my Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Alabama. I have taught in the classroom for ten years. Because my experience in education has been spent at the school level, I have a unique perspective of the needs of the students and employees in the schools. I have had the opportunity to learn so much from working in several different schools. Being exposed to a variety of administrative strategies and employees has shown me the strengths and weaknesses across the county. So, I feel that this qualifies me to know better what the school system needs. My husband and I own a cattle and poultry farm and an automotive repair garage.  We make financial decisions together involving our businesses, and this has prepared me to make responsible decisions regarding the finances for our school system. Through both my teaching and business background, I am qualified to lead our schools and excited about this opportunity.

 What areas of education make you passionate about being superintendent? As a classroom teacher, I have a passion for the children.  The children deserve our best effort. Every child should feel that they belong and their individual needs are met and given every opportunity to excel.  St. Clair County schools should celebrate individual abilities and interests. Too often the focus shifts away from the children when they really deserve our devotion. If we invest in our students and help our local schools maximize their potential, graduates from St. Clair County Schools will ensure a brighter tomorrow. They will be able to give back to our community and help future generations. It is imperative that we put our attention back on the children.  

What experiences/visions set you apart from your opponent?  I have a clearer understanding of the needs of the school system than my opponent because I have been in the classroom for the last ten years. I have seen first-hand the changes that need to be made. Because my opponent has been in the administrative position at the central office for the last eight years it would be easy to be disconnected from the needs at the school level.

My vision is to shift the priority from the central office and focus first on the children followed by the needs of the teachers and the support staff. Each child and employee should feel valued. I want our system to offer all children the opportunity to reach their full potential on an individualized basis and prepare them to be productive citizens of society.

Senate District 11

Jim McClendon

Why are you seeking election to the state Senate? Senate District 11 is one of the most conservative Senate districts in Alabama and deserves to be represented by the most conservative candidate. I could not sleep well at night knowing the citizens of this district and I were being represented by someone with a liberal voting record, and decades of being an elected Democrat.  Senate 11 deserves a true, lifelong conservative.

 Why should voters choose you instead of your opponent?  My track record as a three-term House member and a lifelong conservative is a clear indication to the voters of how I will represent them in the Senate.  My opponent voted against blocking Obamacare in Alabama, a clear indication of his long history of liberal leanings. My experience as a member of the leadership team in the House is invaluable.  My educational background is Springville High School, Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Houston. I have served as a Navy Doctor in Viet Nam, assistant professor at the UAB Medical Center, and private practice in Leeds and Moody.  My background and experiences are unique in this race. I served as chairman of the Ethics Committee and am currently chairman of the House Committee on Health, and also currently chair of the House Redistricting Committee.  I know the procedures, the players, and know how to get the job done.

 What are the major issues in this campaign? The most significant concern for the voters in this race is whether or not their elected senator is a reflection of their political philosophy.  Smaller, more efficient government, lower taxes, individual responsibility, and enhanced job opportunities are cornerstones of my core values.

 What would be your main goal if elected?  My main responsibility is to represent the interests of those I represent. I have certainly proved my abilities by writing and passing legislation for the county commission, various cities, the coroner, the district attorney and countless others.  Parallel to that is the responsibility to the citizens of Alabama, to make decisions fairly, equitably, with adequate forethought, and consideration for all affected. 

 What specific local legislative issues would you give attention to if elected?  Assist the SCCO Economic Development Council with job creation by attracting new businesses and industry.  The secretary of commerce is a personal friend.  Infrastructure development is vital in job creation.  Coosa Valley Water is a key to our future growth and development and should be treated as such. Industrial parks attract both light and heavy industry.  Road repair and building is political football in Montgomery.  Obtaining our fair share of the funding is important.  Those cities, and the county, that wish a local option referendum for 7-day sales will be given that opportunity.  I assure you that opportunity will not be stalled in the Senate again. 

Jerry Fielding

Why are you seeking reelection to the state Senate?  I am committed to doing everything I can to fight for our families. I am honored to represent the people of the Eleventh District by fighting to create jobs and pass conservative reforms that will minimize the impact of Obamacare in Alabama, protect the life of the unborn, reduce the size of government, and cut wasteful spending out of state budgets. We have come a long way, but there is still more to accomplish.

 Why should voters choose you instead of your opponent?  In this campaign, liberal special interests are working overtime to gain control in Montgomery. When my opponent takes big money from the state’s most liberal organizations, it’s clear he will not represent the values of our district. I am the only true conservative candidate in the State Senate District Eleven race, which is why I am supported by the National Rifle Association, the Alabama Farmer’s Federation, the Alabama Forestry Association, the Conservative Christians of Alabama, and the Alabama Cattleman’s Association. I will continue to vote my conservative values in Montgomery and will not kowtow to liberal interests for the sake of raising campaign dollars.

What are the major issues in this campaign?  Voters across the Eleventh District are concerned about the rising influence of big-government in their lives. Whether it’s their rising insurance prices under Obamacare or threats posed to their religious liberties, my constituents want someone who will fight for them.

  What would be your main goal if elected?  Job creation is of great importance to our area. Alabama’s economy is growing faster than many other states because of our conservative-minded, pro-business reforms, and I will continue to make that a priority as I serve the people of the Eleventh District. However, we must continue to counter the harmful taxes and regulations of the Obama administration to ensure that businesses here at home will grow and provide quality jobs.

What specific local legislative issues would you give attention to if elected?  As a conservative Republican, I believe that less government is better. That’s why, unlike my opponent, I believe that local communities should have a say in laws that affect them. For example, when the people of Pell City come to me asking that they have an opportunity to vote on a Sunday alcohol sales referendum, I’m going to support their right to decide for themselves if that’s something they should allow or not.

Senate District 17

Brett King

 Why are you seeking election to the state Senate?  I believe this is God’s will for my life at this time.  Since I got home from college, the focus of my small law practice has been solving problems for my middle class clients, and I believe serving in the State Senate will allow me to make a difference on a much larger scale.  I have never run for office and have previously pledged to serve a maximum of 12 years. 

 Why should voters choose you instead of one of your opponents?  First, because I am most like them.  The people of St. Clair County deserve a State Senator who understands their way of life.  I live on a farm outside of Locust Fork, which is about the size of Ragland.  My education opened doors to live anywhere I wanted, but my wife and I thought the values our children would learn growing up in a small town would be priceless.  I always enjoy visiting Ashville and Ragland because the people there are like my neighbors.  Second, my qualifications are unique among the seven candidates.  I graduated from Locust Fork, Jeff State, Auburn, Yale, and the University of Alabama School of Law.  I have eight years of experience representing thousands of clients, including three municipalities, two water authorities, several churches, and dozens of businesses.  I am the second youngest candidate in this race.  I have three children (ages 3, 5, and 6).  It takes energy to keep up with them, run a business, and stay active in our church and community. I did all that last year while training for and running my first marathon (26.2 miles).  I am ready to commit that same level of dedication to the people of St. Clair County; they deserve it. 

 What are the major issues in this campaign? Education and jobs.  Making sure that every Ashville and Ragland graduate has the opportunity to pursue God’s purpose for their life is a personal concern for me.  My children will attend Locust Fork, a county school with resources comparable to those in St. Clair.  Promoting economic opportunities in our rural areas is something with which I have direct experience.  I have advised several clients as they built successful businesses that created jobs out in the country.  Whether the folks of St. Clair County choose to elect a leader or a follower is up to them.  Every candidate in this race is a Christian Conservative who possesses some level of God-given “common sense,” but I believe the voters should demand more.  Being just a “nice guy” isn’t going to get it done when the special interests start pushing their agendas in Montgomery.  A strong voice for rural St. Clair County must see three moves ahead, and be able to both draft and understand complex legislation, understanding the constitutional constraints of what can be done. 

 What would be your main goal if elected?  To be a strong, unapologetic voice for the citizens of St. Clair County and all of District 17.  To carefully consider and understand the true impact of all legislative actions on the working class people.  New laws often have unintended consequences.  Special interests often misdirect attention to an emotional point to accomplish their objectives.  My focus will always be on protecting our middle class, the backbone of our district.

 What specific local legislative issues would you give attention to if elected?  The first thing I would do is contact Stan Batemon or Paul Manning (whoever prevails in the commission chairman race) and find out what legislation they need.  Retired Judge Jim Hill, who will be a state representative, is a good friend.  I practiced in his court for years and look forward to working with him in the State House to advance the interests of St. Clair residents.  Either Robert McKay or Mack Butler will be a colleague as well.  I will take my lead on local legislation affecting St. Clair from those local leaders. 

Jim Roberts

Why are you seeking election to the state Senate? We all have seen enough wrong down in Montgomery.  I want to go down there and do something right.

 Why should voters choose you instead of one of your opponents? Most qualified and most experienced:

a.       The only candidate in the race whose draft number came up during Vietnam.  I’m a “mustang” – enlisted in the Air Force, and later became an Army Officer

b.      In the Air Force, assigned to the team that supports Air Force One.  After President Nixon resigned, given a presidential appointment to West Point by President Ford

c.       Attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where I studied civil engineering.  Honors for top five percent of the class during my senior year.  Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers

d.      Spent many years in the XVIIIth Airborne Corps as a Platoon Leader, Executive Officer of the largest Engineer Company in the Army, became a Company Commander responsible for 135 men, and about $10 Million of equipment

e.      Eventually became the Operations Officer for an Engineer Group, responsible for 5,000 soldiers through deployments overseas and in the United States

f.        Graduated seventh in a class of 180 at the University of Alabama School of Law, with honors for Law Review, Order of Coif, the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, and Top 10% of the class

g.       Became Mayor of my hometown, and served two terms. 

(i.)     Inherited 7 lawsuits when we took office (several alleged multi-million dollar liability).  Eliminated all 7 lawsuits before the end of the second term of office, a total of only $10,000 paid by the Town as part of a settlement in 1 of the lawsuits

(ii.)     Discovered that earmarked road construction/paving funds were illegally being used to pay Town staff salaries during the previous administration.  Set up a 10% paving program pave all roads every 10 years, and to use the earmarked funds properly

(iii.)     Strengthened the ball park leadership to provide critical support for the youth sports teams and events

(iv.)     Solved several personnel problems that we inherited to bring peace and harmony to the Town Hall

(v.)     Attracted new businesses to the Town to increase sales tax revenues

(vi.)     The Town had an increase in home values that was no. 1 in Jefferson County for my 8 years a Mayor, and which exceeded the percentage of increase of places like Mountain Brook.

h.      On the Board of the Cullman-Jefferson Counties Gas District for 8 years.  President of the board for four years.  Contributed to the climate of running the company like a business instead of using the company as a political tool.

i.         Served on Congressman Bachus’ Service Academy Interview Committee for 20 years, which interviews and reviews the files of all Service Academy applicants to make recommendations to the Congressman for his nominations to the Academies.

j.        Served as my West Point Class Secretary.  Re-wrote the class constitution and by-laws

k.       Partner at Sirote & Permutt, PC, when it was the largest law firm in the State.  Represented BASF, Westinghouse, Prudential Insurance Company, Coleman Research Corporation, and a number of other companies in their litigation. 

l.         Partner at Townes, Woods, & Roberts, PC.  Represented Coleman Research Corporation, Mevatec Corporation, Thermo Electron Corporation, and a number of “mom and pop” companies.  Incorporated numerous small businesses, 501(c)(3) charities, and SBA 8(a) companies, and represented them in their litigation.

m.    Currently the managing member of The Jim Roberts Law Firm, LLC.

What are the major issues in this campaign?  (1) Jobs, (2) stopping Obamacare before the small business mandates go into effect, (3) better education systems and funding, (4) keeping taxes low, (5) Second Amendment rights, (6) states’ rights

What would be your main goal if elected? The development of small business enhancement programs, so that we can create more and better jobs to reverse the awful economic effects of the past 6 years

What specific local legislative issues would you give attention to if elected? (1) Economic incentives for all small businesses, including agricultural businesses, (2) improvement of roads and bridges to provide more and better access to our businesses and industries, (3) better development of industrial parks so the bring more good jobs to our communities, (4) protect and enhance opportunities for our existing businesses (e.g., Honda) to attract more investment from those companies which are already established

Joe Cochran

Why are you seeking election to the state Senate? To represent working families. 

 Why should voters choose you instead of one of your opponents? My background as a city councilman and mayor pro-tem along with 32 years in manufacturing gives me a clearer understanding of the needs of our district’s working families and how to fight for their interests.

 What are the major issues in this campaign? Educating our students not only for higher education but also to fill the growing void in skilled labor, good skilled labor jobs will serve our continued manufacturing recruitment and will help provide substantial middle class jobs for our next generation.

What would be your main goal if elected? Communicate the actual needs of our families into the Montgomery machine, help direct the focus onto our actual needs.

What specific local legislative issues would you give attention to if elected? Getting judges where they are needed as our population continues to grow into St. Clair and Blount Counties, the backlog of cases mounts. 

Secretary of State

Jim Perdue

Why are you seeking election to the secretary of state’s office?  I am seeking the office of secretary of state because I would like to bring into this office my experiences as a business owner, as a community leader with experience in business recruitment and development and as a probate judge who has hands-on experience in elections management, record integrity and personnel management.  The office of secretary of state is a unique fit for someone with my qualifications.  My desire is to become the first probate judge to enter this office and to bring the combined knowledge and experiences of every probate office in the state into this office.  As a past president of the Probate Judges Association and the association’s legislative leader, I have the opportunity to represent every county in the state of Alabama in Montgomery. As a Christian, I believe that the people that serve in public office need to bring their faith into government and return to the values that made this country great.

Why should voters choose you for the Republican nomination instead of one of your opponents?  I believe that the voters of this great state will vote for Jim Perdue because I have experience.  I have elections management experience, business experience as an owner of a regional construction company for 25 years, conservative leadership experience in government, and I have experience as a community leader in business development, especially as president of the Industrial Development Board when Sister Schuberts Homemade Rolls located to my hometown and the largest Hyundai tier one supplier located to my county. I have served as vice chair of the State Private Industry Council, chairman of the South Central Alabama Development Commission and Council on Aging and in many other community and state leadership opportunities.  In two words: Leadership and Experience.

What are the major issues in this campaign? The major issues of any campaign are who can best serve in the capacity of the office and solve the issues at hand and best represent the citizens of the State of Alabama. The major issues in this particular campaign are which candidate can solve the issue of overseas military absentee voting, business license filings and delays and effectively implement the laws passed by the legislature, such as the new voter ID law.  I believe my experience as a probate judge with the duties of the chief elections officer in a county, legislative experience representing every county in the state in Montgomery for several years as the association leader and my desire to solve these issues uniquely qualify me as the best candidate.

 What would be your main goal if elected? My main goal is to represent the citizens of the State of Alabama with integrity, conservative leadership and experience.  I want to continue to ensure fair and honest elections, limit government overreach as I have on the county level, provide solutions to the delays in business license filings, and provide proven leadership in Montgomery.

 Why should this race matter to voters? This is a very important election.  Every election is important.  Voters should not overlook this election.  I have carried the message across the State of Alabama that now more than ever before in the history of this country every decision we make, every thing we do, every vote we cast, matters. I am honored to part of the process that will determine the future of this state and country.  This race matters.

John Merill

Why are you seeking election to the secretary of state’s office?  I have been interested in this position since I first discovered what the responsibilities of the secretary of state’s office were when I was 14. This occurred at an old fashioned political gathering in Cleburne County. Since that time I have followed that office and the seven individuals that have served in that capacity since then. Over the last year I have spoken to five of the seven individuals and gained more meaningful insight into the responsibilities of the office and how they would serve differently today knowing what they know after their years of experience. I had a situation that was introduced to me by a constituent about a problem her family was having in July 2012 and after working with the secretary of state’s office I realized this might be a time for me to consider a run for this office.

Why should voters choose you for the Republican nomination instead of one of your opponents? I am the only candidate that has been to all 67 unique counties in the state and listened to the concerns of the people. I have a proven record of conservative leadership as being one of the most conservative members of the most conservative legislatures ever in the history of Alabama. My proven work ethic and dedication to being the best servant-leader to the people of Alabama separate me from my opponents.

 What are the major issues in this campaign? The main issues of this campaign are in the areas of elections, adoptions, and business licensure. Maintaining our elections integrity by providing honest and fair elections is very important to me. Adoptions are lengthy and stressful and we need to make the process for willing parents simple and efficient. Finally, getting a business license can take entirely too long and that impedes Alabamians’ businesses from thriving; I know that I can make the process easier and more expedient to help grow the Alabama job market.

 What would be your main goal if elected? My main goal would be to streamline the processes and responsibilities of the secretary of state’s office to be more transparent and accessible for the people of Alabama.

 Why should this race matter to voters?  State law gives the secretary of state over 1,000 duties, but the most important duties would be in the realm of elections, business licensing and trade marking, and adoptions.  First, the secretary of state is charged with providing honest and fair elections – when people try to impede on that process, they are breaking the law. Under my leadership, I will be sure that the people who are breaking the law will be identified, investigated, indicted when warranted, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  We will insure voter integrity through photo identification beginning June 3.  We passed this law, which I cosponsored, in 2011.  We will insure the electoral participation of our military service men and women, more than 56,000 Alabamians, which is not currently taking place the way it should. 

Business licensing and trade marking is important to all small business owners because the process of getting that license or trademark can be a hassle. I plan to bring fresh new ideas that would streamline that process making it easier and more accessible for business owners. We should be fostering business growth to help our economy by making it easier for new entrepreneurs to get their business up and running and to help existing industry and business accomplish their goals sooner.

Lastly in the area of adoptions – most foreign adoptions go through the secretary of state’s office. This process can be stressful and lengthy for willing parents – sometimes months before they actually get to adopt. I believe that in this area in particular we can make the foreign adoption process easier and faster under my leadership.

Reese McKinney

Why are you seeking election to the Secretary of State’s office? Having performed many of the same functions at the local level for more than 14 years uniquely qualifies me to serve as Alabama’s next Secretary of State.  I am not seeking to become Secretary of State as a stepping-stone to higher office, and I am not seeking this office for personal gain.  To me, public service should be viewed as a sacrifice, not an opportunity for self-service.

Why should voters choose you for the Republican nomination instead of one of your opponents? I see three basic distinctions between my opponents and myself:

Party Affiliations.  I am the only lifelong conservative Republican in this race.  I am proud to say that I have never been a member or leader in the Alabama Democratic Party, and I’ve never accepted campaign donations from AEA

Record of Conservative Reforms.  I have been nationally recognized for conservative reforms in elections administration.  Many of these reforms have been adopted across Alabama and the nation.  I am proud of these reforms, including bringing real transparency to the elections process.  I have also administered in excess of 50 elections, trained and deployed more than 1,000 elections volunteers, and helped to build trust across the elections process in Montgomery.       

No Learning Curve Necessary.  Even with bold initiatives to champion job growth and small business development through the Secretary of State’s office, my experience prepares me to hit the ground running.  I intend to make Alabama a leader nationally in election integrity initiatives, and I will be able to begin this effort on the first day in office.

 What are the major issues in this campaign? I believe Alabama can improve in two key areas:  elections integrity, and job growth.  I intend to draw upon my record as a national leader in developing conservative reforms in elections, and my experience as a small business owner to help Alabama achieve real improvement in these areas.

What would be your main goal if elected? My major goal, if elected, will be to fundamentally transform the office into a more efficient, more effective government office that provides unmatched service to the public.  I did this at the local level and I intend to do the same at the state level.

Why should this race matter to voters?  Elections integrity matters.  I have a tremendous record of bringing integrity to elections at the local level, and I will continue to build upon this record as Secretary of State.  Because the right to vote is our most precious right, it deserves to be protected and preserved through elections integrity initiatives.  Jobs matter.  Small businesses represent nearly 97% of employers, and they provide half of the jobs in Alabama.  I intend to champion small businesses as Secretary of State to push for pro-job growth initiatives that encourage existing small businesses and entrepreneurs to grow and stay in Alabama.

Senate District 3

Why are you seeking election to congress?  News radio and politics have always interested me. As a child while others my age were listening to the trendy music, my dad introduced me to a talk radio and I have since been a fan.  In 1997, I had the privilege of serving on the Bob Riley for Congress staff and knew that I wanted to serve the people and make a difference in Washington. So, a natural bent to politics has been in my “DNA”. However, the “heart” reason for my seeking election is for my children.

My wife Lorra and I have been involved with Lee County Foster Children for several years and have had over 20 children in and out of our home. We have adopted six since our involvement and love every minute of it.

One morning I was listening to talk radio when I became overwhelming disgusted with the lack of common sense in Washington. I felt at that moment that if my children were ever going to have a chance a common sense change had to take place in Washington D.C.  My wife and I prayed about it and believe that God has led us to engage in the political arena during this season of my life.

 Why should voters choose you for the republican nomination instead of the incumbent? Our current District 3 congressional representative has been in office for 12 years. I refuse to bash him or negatively attack him, but I do encourage the voters to look at his record and allow it to speak for itself. His current Heritage Foundation rating is 54%. The Heritage rating is a system in which each politician is graded on the basis of his or her commitment to a conservative voting record.  We need a congressman that will truly represent the people and the values they hold important rather than being “sucked into” a system of “back scratching.”  We need someone who will stand firm and allow the voices of Alabama residents be heard regardless of the popularity of the vote.

What are the major issues in this campaign? As we have travelled the district, the major issue with which we are confronted is the Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare). While this is a media-induced worry, I believe that our issues are much more basic. Let me say at this point, I will continue to fight to repeal Obamacare when in office, but we must get our spending under control.

The four issues that I believe are critical and must be addressed quickly are  (1) Term limits: Our founding fathers never intended politics to become a career. Our first “people’s representatives” held regular jobs and worked for the people of their district by addressing the issues that were important to his constituents. The office was not a pleasure cruise or “get rich quick” scheme but an opportunity and honor to represent the people with which he worked, played, went to church with and socialized with. 

(2)  Cut Spending: At the present time, our national income is approximately three trillion dollars per year. Our current congress and White House administration is spending 3.5 trillion dollars per year. It does not take a “rocket scientist” to figure out that we cannot keep spending more than we are making. At present, each congressman makes a salary of approximately $170,000.00 per year plus a congressional office budget of $1.2 million dollars for staff and travel. When you multiply that amount by 435 congressional representatives, it is an astounding and ridiculous amount of money. My goal in the first year is to cut my salary and work with half of the allotted budget or less to prove it can be done. I will then call a press conference and shame the other congressmen into reducing theirs as well.
(3)  Reduce the size of Government: The federal government is too large and has weaseled their way into the common man’s everyday life. I believe that each state should be given the opportunity to govern themselves according to the needs and desires of their population. The federal government in an effort to bring about equality has overstepped its boundaries and is attempting to mold its citizens alike. A great example of overstepping federal regulations is in the area of education. While everyone should be entitled to education, not everyone is gifted or talented in the exact same way. We must remove the Department of Education and return the power to each individual state and the needs they discover among the people who live there rather than mandating a federal level of appropriate education.
(4)  The return of jobs to the United States: The U.S. has one of the heaviest tax burdens on corporation in the entire world. I believe that lowering the tax burden on large corporations gives them an incentive to move their business back to the U.S. and employ legal residents at an hourly rate that will allow a family to live a comfortable life within a reasonable budget. The United States has prided itself on the premise that hard work brings great reward. We must return to a system that rewards hard work. While there are those who have physical and mental challenges, many have been taking advantage of a system that was designed to assist them in crisis and not live the rest of their life at the expense of those who work hard.

What would your main goal if elected? Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” My goal, if elected, is to prove that change is possible by living it out first. Our children need to see that we are more than mere words but our actions speak volumes about our character and strength. By taking the first “hit” on the budget and by asking “why” rather than just accepting the status quo, I believe that change can and will take place. Will that change take place overnight? No, but if we do not start somewhere, we will never start anywhere.

With so many constituents unhappy with congress, what will you do to change that? As I stated earlier, we must be an example of what we want our country to look like. By serving with integrity and with a value system that represents the people, we have an opportunity to change the image of Washington. We are currently the laughing stock of the world because we have politicians who say one thing but yet live and make decision contradictory to what the people they represent believe and desire. It is time for a conservative common sense change exemplified by the leaders we elect. You as voters are the only ones who have the power to change the image of the U.S. Vote for men and women of value and integrity that will not be bought or persuaded to compromise because of influence or money. Start the change by voting on June 3^.

Mike Rogers

Why are you seeking reelection to Congress?  I am asking voters for their support today for the same reason I have always sought to represent east Alabama: because I am passionate about serving the people here. There are many challenges ahead of us as a nation, and I will continue to fight against the destructive policies of the Obama administration and restore our country’s economic prosperity and personal freedoms.

Why should voters choose you for the Republican nomination instead of your challenger?  I have had the honor and pleasure of getting to know so many across east Alabama. My constituents have made it clear that the Obama presidency has been a disaster for the Third Congressional District. This president’s failed policies are closing businesses, putting people out of work, and raising the tax burden and cost of living for my constituents. There has never been a more important time in our country’s history to send a conservative fighter to Washington, and that’s why I will continue to work against the liberal agenda of the current White House and work to restore economic prosperity and preserve individual freedom here at home.

 What are the major issues in this campaign? Hard-working men and women across east Alabama are suffering from the disastrous economic policies of a president who simply does not understand the private sector and refuses to answer to those affected by his wrongheaded mandates and lawless executive orders. Voters have asked me to continue fighting to repeal Obamacare and pass laws that will allow the free market to expand and create more jobs.

 What would be your main goal if reelected? The voters of east Alabama have made it clear that it’s time for government to get out of the way and encourage businesses to expand and put people back to work, and that would be my number one priority. This means fully repealing Obamacare and reducing the tax burden on Alabama’s families.

 With so many constituents unhappy with Congress, what will you do to change that? I will keep up the fight against President Obama’s liberal, big government agenda, and do all I can to help ensure east Alabama’s conservative values are heard loud and clear in Congress. I am also proud of my office’s constituent service, and will continue to listen closely to the voters’ concerns, which guide my efforts to fight for our Veterans, seniors and working families that may need assistance.

Public Service Commissioner

Jeremy Oden

Why are you seeking reelection to the public service commission?  In December 2012, I was appointed to the position by Gov. Bentley to fill the term of President Cavenaugh. I have always been interested in energy matters of our country. I had considered several times to run for the position but sought the reelection to my House seat. Energy will be and is one of the primary focuses of our country. We need cheap reliable energy that will sustain us and give the continued expansion we need in our country. Alabama is one of the states that industry is always looking at to expand or move into, we have to keep our energy rates low and affordable to continue the growth. I want to be a part of that discussion and influence the policy that will be changing energy production. 

 What is the primary role of the PSC? The primary role of the PSC is to make sure the energy production, gas supply and rates to consumers is lowest possible rate it can be, but also to have the reliability of the utility, to make sure it is there when you need it. Our other key role is to make sure the utilities are safe and secure. 

 What are the major issues in this campaign?  I feel the major issue is the to stay off the push and overreach from the federal government. President Obama has declared that he will change the production of energy in this country. He stated that with his energy plan our bills would skyrocket. We can see this in his administration’s rules and regulations coming down from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These rules will have direct impact on energy rates all over country. The fight against using coal in our energy production will increase the cost and we will loose jobs because of it. I will use the office to push back against these rules and to let the people know the impact of what it will cost them.

 Why should voters choose you instead of your challenger? I have the experience and the know how to do this job. I have studied many hours to learn more about our energy production in our state and country. I have been in the position and will continue to fight the over reach of the federal government. My goal is to continue the fight we have began of keeping low rates and reliable energy. I have already stood against many outside forces that want to change our way of production in the state. That is why many of the leaders in industry, manufacturing, farming and conservative groups have endorsed me in the race. But the PSC is also more that just energy. The PSC is a safety regulator as well. One of our jobs is to make sure the gas pipelines are safe and up to date. I have taken this part of my job seriously and began working with the utilities to insure the safety of our gas pipelines in our state. 

 Why should this race matter to voters?  It is frustrating to me that no more people know who the PSC is in our state. That is one of the reasons for my commercial and the way we did so that people will begin to look at the PSC and the importance of it. The PSC is working everyday to monitor the utilities in our state. We have an important role in our state and affect the consumers’ pocketbook more than many other agencies. The PSC has over 90 employees that every day look into the safety, regulations and control of utilities in our state. Each commissioner has a voice in those regulations, and we need good conservative individuals who know the arena, how to deal with the companies and with federal agencies. I have been that.  With my election, I will continue the job of serving the people of Alabama.

Terry Dunn

Why are you seeking reelection to the public service commission? I want to continue providing a truly conservative, independent voice for consumers within the state agency that regulates Alabama’s monopoly utilities. The other two members of the Public Service Commission have received tens of thousands of dollars from the coal industry – a longtime surrogate for the largest of the utilities, Alabama Power Company. I am not (and never have been) anti-coal. However, I am PRO-consumer, and that means using whatever fuel mixture will ensure rates are as low as they can be. With voters’ help, we’ll get there.

What is the primary role of the PSC? The PSC’s job is to ensure Alabama’s regulated utilities provide reliable service at rates that are fair and reasonable. I believe the Commission has a long history of favoring the utilities over customers, and I have worked hard to change that. We can keep our utilities strong while making sure they treat their customers fairly, and that’s what I’m committed to accomplishing during my service on the PSC.

What are the major issues in this campaign? Alabama Power Company’s profit margin is the highest in the nation. That’s a fact. When I called for the first formal rates hearings in more than three decades to determine how the PSC justified that profit margin, groups backed by the utilities began to spread lies suggesting that I am anti-coal and a tool of “radical environmentalists.”  That’s nonsense – a smoke screen designed to persuade the people of Alabama to think about anything other than the fact that they’re being treated unfairly. I’m confident that voters will see through the well-funded campaign of lies and keep the one PSC commissioner who’s trying to protect customers.

Why should voters choose you instead of one of your opponents? Listen to what my opponents are saying; it’s exactly what the utilities are saying. Look at where my opponents’ money comes from – it’s utility money, channeled through the coal industry. Unfortunately, the utilities’ influence over the PSC is an old story; indeed, that’s why I ran four years ago. I have fought hard for fairness, and I am the only candidate in this race who will look out for consumers. The others began cozying up to the utilities – and their money – from the day they entered this race. In short, I’m running on my record of protecting the public interest instead of the utilities’ interests.

Why should this race matter to voters?  Not long after I took office in 2010, the powers that be in Montgomery made it clear that I should quietly accept the status quo – a PSC that allowed the highest profit margins in the United States to remain in place for the past 30 years. I chose instead to do what I was elected to do, despite the smear campaign launched by the utilities in the hope of unseating the one commissioner who refused to join their club. I’m proud of my record, and with voters’ help, I’ll continue to fight for them every day.