State Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) has received the endorsement of the Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) in his reelection bid to the legislature’s upper chamber, serving District 21.
Allen, a lifelong resident of Tuscaloosa, holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Alabama.
In 1994, Allen was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives serving District 62, during which AFA says he protected the interests of his alma mater and acted as the leading advocate among elected officials for the area’s Mercedes-Benz plant.
Upon serving four terms in the legislature’s lower chamber, Allen was elected to the Alabama Senate in 2010.
In announcing the endorsement of Allen, AFA president and CEO Chris Isaacson pointed to the senator’s pulpwood industry experience as being beneficial to his service in the legislature.
“Gerald grew up working in the pulpwood industry around Tuscaloosa and as a landowner himself sees firsthand the importance of our industry to the state of Alabama,” said Isaacson.
He added, “Alabama landowners and forest business owners are the backbone of our state, sustaining local communities, growing the economy and preserving our natural resources for generations to come. Gerald has consistently supported legislation which protects those efforts and we are happy to give him our continued support.”
Allen is chairman of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee as well as vice chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund.
The senator pledged his continued support of the state’s forestry industry.
“The state of Alabama has the third highest timber acreage in the country,” said Allen. “Landowners across Alabama understand the impact that forestry has on the economic development in our state. It is vital that we continue to protect the forestry industry. I am committed to supporting this industry and understand the role that Alabama forestry plays.”
Senate District 21 encompasses Tuscaloosa, Lamar and Pickens Counties. The primary election will occur on May 24, 2022.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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