The Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) endorsed current State Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper) for a rare State Senate vacancy, left by former Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed. Following his departure, Governor Kay Ivey set a special election to fill the seat across portions of Fayette, Lamar, Walker, Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties.

Today, the politically influential farmers federation continued to clear the field for Woods, who is the only Republican currently running for the open seat.

“I’m excited Matt Woods is running as are the farmers of this county,” said Dorman Grace, Walker County Farmers Federation president. “Matt Woods is one of us – a conservative businessman who has represented us well in the House of Representatives, and we know he will do the same thing in the Senate.”

According to ALFA, Woods has represented Walker County in the House of Representatives for the past two years as a Republican championing many conservative causes. He authored the Alabama Child Protection Act, supported the reduction of sales tax on groceries and co-sponsored the elimination of income taxes on overtime pay. He is the past chairman of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and is a second-generation business owner who owns Jasper Auto Sales. In 2017, Ivey appointed him to serve on the Alabama Community College System Board of Directors.

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Woods and his wife, Brandi, have one daughter. After the loss of their first child, they created the Hope After Loss (H.A.L.O.) non-profit organization, which provides support groups and other services to families who experience the same loss.

“I am honored to be endorsed by the Farmers Federation,” said Woods. “We share the same work ethic and the same conservative values. I look forward to representing them and all the people of District 5 in the Alabama Senate.”

Federation chairmen for the following counties also issued statements in support of Woods:

Fayette County: “Matt Woods knows the importance of agriculture to our county, and he will represent us well in the Senate,” said Joe Roberts, Fayette County Farmers Federation president. “He is a conservative who will work hard for us in Montgomery.”

Lamar County: “Matt Woods has reduced taxes and represented conservative pro-business, pro-family values,” said Will Gilmer, Lamar County Farmers Federation president. “That is why we are proud to support him and hope all of Lamar County will join us in doing so.”

Jefferson County: “Matt Woods is a conservative’s conservative who has worked hard to reduce taxes and support family values,” said Dr. Stevan Parsons, Jefferson County Farmers Federation president. “He shares our work ethic and our values, and we are proud to endorse him.”

Tuscaloosa County: “Matt Woods is pro-life, pro-business and pro-family,” said John Walker, Tuscaloosa County Farmers Federation president. “He has a proven track record of leadership in the Legislature, and we are proud to endorse him.”

In an op-ed last month, Woods credited former State Sen. Greg Reed, who will serve as a transformational leader in Governor Ivey’s administration for workforce development, for inspiring his entry into public service, beginning with his appointment to the Alabama Community College System Board in 2017. Woods joined the Alabama House in 2022 and worked closely with Reed on securing over $44 million for upgrades at Bevill State Community College and $6.7 million in grants to improve water delivery infrastructure.

In his campaign announcement, Woods highlighted that during his two years in the legislature, he authored the Alabama Child Protection Act, supported the reduction of sales tax on groceries, and co-sponsored the elimination of income taxes on overtime wages.

The special election for Senate District 5 is Tuesday, March 11. At 5:00 p.m. today, the candidate filing deadline will expire for the seat, meaning Woods will be the only Republican on the ballot.