Republican gubernatorial candidate Bradley Byrne made a campaign stop in Leeds on Tuesday.

To highlight his message of helping small business, Byrne selected an appropriate site – The Pants Store in downtown Leeds.

Byrne, a native of Mobile, is a former probate judge of Baldwin County. He was elected to the State Senate in 2002 and then re-elected in 2006. In 2007, he was appointed to the Alabama State Board of Education, serving as the chief executive officer of Alabama’s two-year college system.

Mickey Gee, founder of the Pants Store, opened Tuesday’s event by introducing the candidate. Also on hand were representatives of the Alabama Retail Association (ARA) who announced their political action committee would endorse Byrne in the 2010 governor’s race.

Byrne said his platform would include “new jobs for a new Alabama,” highlighting the need for government to help small and medium businesses expand and provide more jobs for Alabama workers.

“It is very important for government to do the things we can to help (small and medium businesses) grow. Government has never grown an economy. Only businesses like this one (The Pants Store) can grow Alabama’s economy. We can grow our economy by helping them,” Byrne said.

Byrne also said he has signed a pledge that, if elected, he would not raise taxes. In fact, he said medium and small businesses should be giving tax cuts.

“Tax cuts will allow for these businesses to grow again. My plan will include tax incentives and breaks for those who expand their employee base,” he said.

He also said Alabama should use its existing assets to expand technology and industrial base.

“We have great assets in our state universities and two-year college programs,” he said. “We should be working with them to grow business and train Alabama workers.”

The candidate said he would continue and expand on the efforts of current governor Bob Riley in selling Alabama to potential employers around the globe.

“Where ever we can go and do things that will bring jobs to Alabama we are going to do it,” Byrne said.

Byrne spent some time answering questions. Responses included that he was not in favor of another election on an education tax and that the state must address the Medicaid problem, including saying no to federal regulations that he says will bankrupt the system and the state. He also said he would stand up to the powerful Alabama Education Association (AEA) when it comes certain costs.

“We are spending $1 billion of a $5.2 billion budget on healthcare alone. We cannot afford that anymore. Our education fund is turning into a healthcare fund,” Byrne said.

Gee said he supports Byrne because of the candidate’s commitment to small business.

“Small business drives our country; this is where you start to create jobs and (Byrne) has a plan to do just that,” Gee said.

Dianne Wammack, vice-chairman of the ARA, said she agreed that Byrne is the best candidate for small businesses.

“(Byrne’s) plan is an encouragement rather than a hindrance to small businesses and that is why the ARA feels he is the right choice for retailers in 2010,” Wammack said.

Byrne said by putting business first, Alabama could distance itself from the current economic downturn.

“I believe my plan will put us in the forefront of the economic recovery,” he said. “I am very proud that the University of Alabama is playing for national championship and my plan will make us number one in the nation in creating jobs.”