Late last month, State Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, raised a lot of eyebrows when his congressional campaign received the nod from GOPAC, one of the premier organizations in the national conservative movement. Up until that time, Fincher really wasn’t widely discussed as one of the front-runners. But that endorsement is potentially only the first of several others to come for the upstart candidate from west Mobile County.
Fincher, 38, was born and raised in south Alabama and describes himself as a family man, father and small businessman. Last week, he talked about his campaign to Yellowhammer News, citing his concerns with the federal government as the impetus for his run for the first congressional district seat left vacant by Jo Bonner.
“I’m like many other families in this country,” Fincher said. “I’m truly concerned about the direction this country is going in. I’m worried about the type of country my children will inherit. Will they have the same opportunities that we had? I really, truly think that Washington is out of control… I feel like we need to work harder and put more emphasis on restoring conservative values, which I have labeled our south Alabama values, and bring that to Washington.”
The GOPAC endorsement he said was unexpected, but fitting for him as a candidate.
“It was an honor and it surprised me to get their endorsement,” he said. “I’m very honored and proud to have it. I think it’s a great representation of the beliefs I have — the conservative pro-business values that I have.”
And there could be more endorsements coming. Fincher noted that as a realtor, he hopes to be endorsed by the realtor trade associations.
“I’m a realtor. That’s my trade. That’s how I make a living,” Fincher said. “We’re really working hard to get [the endorsement of] our local, state and national associations of realtors. I think that would show a good effort — being behind the guy that knows the industry who is going to be the one person that is going to stand up and make sure and represent this industry and the issues and concerns that we have as realtors.”
Another major endorsement that could be looming is the Alabama Farmers Federation, or ALFA.
“I’m a really strong supporter of our farmers,” he said. “I’ve been the chair of the House Forestry and Agriculture Committee this term and am so proud to represent them and have a long history of working closely with the Farmers Federation because I believe in what they stand for…. Agriculture built this state and I’m proud to represent them and hope to get their endorsement so I can represent them in Congress.”
One obstacle Fincher’s candidacy may have to overcome is geography. While he has handily won his current 102nd state house district seat in west Mobile County, going back to his first run in 2006, he has not had much exposure to other areas around Alabama’s first congressional district. But he says he has ties throughout the district, thanks in large part to his family’s work in the forestry industry.
“Our ties go out very far — way outside of Mobile County,” he said. “Being part of the forestry industry with my father, both being a part of the forestry business, being in logging and trucking, we’ve employed, we’ve had relationships with a lot of individuals in Washington, Monroe, Clarke and Escambia Counties. Those relationships have been built in years past. Those relationships continue.”
Fincher also said to not discount his support in Baldwin County, claiming that it has been one of the surprises of his campaign to date.
“Baldwin County has really kind of been our surprise,” he said. “Being from Mobile County, we thought we were going to be the outsider. We have just received a lot of support over in Baldwin County. It has been encouraging — the phone calls we’re getting.”
While the first district is packed with “values voters,” Bonner’s emphasis while in Congress was less about promoting conservative causes, and more about manipulating levers of the federal government in an effort to improve the region’s economy.
Fincher said his first priority would be championing conservatism. But he added that the economy must be a focus as well.
“Being a conservative is going to be my number-one priority,” he said. “At the same time too, we can also protect our interest when it comes to protecting the Austal project, and that’s defense. I’m very strong in supporting defense.”
Fincher rattled off some of the other industry giants in the first congressional district, including Thyssen-Krupp and Airbus. But he said small businesses are the true lifeblood of the local economy.
Another area of concern for Fincher is the frequent logjams on I-10 at the Wallace Tunnel headed from Mobile to Bayway and beyond to Baldwin County. A new bridge is something he desires, but is a long-term project.
”We all have to be realistic and honest,” he said. “This is not a bridge that is going to happen next year or even in the next two years. This is still a long-term goal.”
In the meantime he suggested seeking other alternatives including partnering with state officials to suggest weekend alternate routes.
As far as his campaign’s strategy, Fincher explained to Yellowhammer that he is keeping it local, and deemed himself the “small-town candidate.”
“Grassroots effort — that’s the type of campaign we run,” he added. “We’re going to be the small-town candidate. You know, running my campaign out of my office. My mom and dad are helping me on a daily basis. It’s a family event — my wife, my children. We’re all actively involved in the campaign. And I think people appreciate that.”
Fincher added that his fundraising efforts would be mostly local and revealed he would not be making a trip to Washington, D.C., unlike at least two of his competitors.
“Fundraising, you know that’s always difficult in federal races,” he said. “Anybody that says it’s not — they’re not being honest with you. We’re very encouraged because ninety-nine percent of our money has been local funds. We’re not making a trip to D.C. We’re going to stay here in the district and keep raising funds. I think that’s an important aspect that voters within the district need to know. I want local support to show that I’m the local candidate that is the best fit for this district.”
Follow Jeff on Twitter @Jeff_Poor
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