Alabama Republican Party interim press secretary and communications professional Jonathan Barbee has announced his candidacy for Alabama Public Service Commission, Place 2.

“After much consideration I have made the decision to run for Public Service Commissioner,” Barbee said Friday night. “Together, we must join forces to fight the Washington, D.C. liberal environmentalists before they regulate us into outrageous utility rates.”

Barbee made his announcement in front of a crowd of almost 300 at “The Summer Dinner After Party,” for which Barbee was the main sponsor.

Barbee told the assembled crowd that he will look out for the people of Alabama if elected to the PSC.

“Democrats are good at manipulating facts with their propaganda, which means we as Republicans must be better at stating the facts and creating trust with our citizen,” he said in his announcement. “I have a proven track record at doing just that. I will fight to protect Alabama consumers from rising utility costs and defend Alabama jobs.”

Barbee currently serves on the Republican State Executive Committee, the Jefferson County Executive Committee, and served as the interim Press Secretary for the State Republican Party during the 2013 legislative session. He also owns a media production company in Birmingham.

Barbee is the third challenger to jump in the Place 2 race to unseat embattled commissioner Terry Dunn. Former Greene County Commission Chairman Chris “Chip” Beeker and Alabama Minority GOP Chairman Phillip Brown have also announced they are running for the seat.

Dunn was elected to the PSC in 2010.

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