Editor’s Note — December 19 at 9:16am: According to new reporting, Summerdale Mayor Randy Farris and Loxley Mayor Richard Teal have stated they did not intend to endorse Elliott in the time since it was publicized. Elliott contends that “[e]very single mayor told me I had their full endorsement,” however, Farris and Teal told media they are decidedly neutral.
According to a Monday morning news release, all 14 of the mayors leading cities and towns across Baldwin County announced their endorsement of Chris Elliott for a new term in the Alabama Senate.
Elliott’s district includes all or parts of several of Baldwin County’s largest municipalities, including Spanish Fort, Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Perdido Beach, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas.
This cycle, Elliott is facing a GOP primary challenge from Foley resident Mike Vandenheuvel, who announced his bid and formed his campaign committee late last month.
In a rare sign of combined support, the top local elected officials spoke to Elliott’s (R-Josephine) track record working on behalf of Baldwin County in Montgomery.
Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich
“Chris Elliott embodies the three things that you want in a state senator – he’s responsive, he’s reliable, and he’s relentless.”
Daphne Mayor Robin LeJune
“Sen. Elliott is involved in every important conversation taking place in the Alabama State House, which means Baldwin County’s interests are being represented in every important conversation taking place in Montgomery.”
Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan
“Chris Elliott is the fighter we need in Montgomery securing the resources that the Eastern Shore and the rest of Baldwin County deserve.”
Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon
“Thanks to the work of Sen. Chris Elliott, Baldwin County has tremendous influence when it comes to obtaining funding for roads, schools, and other projects, so it makes no sense to abandon our influence and go to the back of the line.”
Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft
“Chris puts the best interests of Baldwin County and the citizens he swore an oath to serve first, and he’s making sure our voices are heard in the committee rooms and chambers in Montgomery.”
According to the news release, other mayors offering Elliott their firm commitment and support were Perdido Beach Mayor Jimmy Street, Elberta Mayor Steve Kirkpatrick, Magnolia Springs Mayor Ross Houser, Silverhill Mayor Jared Lyles, Summerdale Mayor Randy Farris, Robertsdale Mayor Ruthie Campbell, Spanish Fort Mayor Brad Bass, Loxley Mayor Richard Teal, and Bay Minette Joshua Brown.
Elliott expressed his deep gratitude for the mayors’ endorsements.
“I am always guided by the voices and concerns of my constituents in Baldwin County because they have more common sense than all of those bureaucrats and politicians in Montgomery combined,” Elliott said.
“Any time I am contacted by a local official, a concerned citizen, or a Baldwin County neighbor in need, it is my goal to respond immediately, resolve their issue, and ensure they have received the attention and resolution they deserve.”
Elliott chairs the body’s County and Municipal Government Committee and holds a seat on the powerful and influential Senate General Fund budget-writing committee, which is responsible for allocating almost $4 billion each year.
A member of the Senate Judiciary, Tourism, Banking and Insurance, and State Government Affairs committees, Elliott also sits on the Joint Transportation Committee, where he has fought hard for road and bridge construction and expansion funding throughout Baldwin County and pushed to prioritize the much-needed Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project.
Elliott’s campaign highlighted that has also utilized his seat on the Legislature’s Contract Review Oversight Committee to consistently uncover and address waste, fraud, and abuse involving taxpayer dollars — as well as his efforts to drive passage of recent cuts to the state’s sales tax on groceries.
He and his wife, Alainna, have two children, and they attend St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Bon Secour.
