In a YouTube video released on Wednesday, former Miss Alabama and conservative activist Amie Beth Shaver announced her candidacy for Alabama State House District 43.
The video, titled “Come Along,” opens with Shaver and her family praying at the dinner table and goes on to outline some of the issues she feels are key to the future of the state and country.
“How do you explain to a child the damage that ObamaCare and Common Core are doing to our country and their future?” Shaver asks rhetorically.
The repeal of so-called Common Core State Standards was one of the most contentious issues of the 2013 legislative sessions and Tea Party leaders have indicated they plan to push it again during the upcoming session. Shaver sounds as if she would be one of the leading voices in that fight.
Shaver became Miss Alabama in 1994 and has since then focused her efforts on pro-life issues, including adoption advocacy. She is also the author of Who Moved the Line? America’s Character Crisis, which led to a national speaking tour about abortion, adoption, teen pregnancy, motherhood, and faith and politics. Shaver is adopted, so the issue hits home for her.
Shaver will face Pelham optometrist Doug Clark in the Republican primary in June 2014. Clark announced his candidacy in mid-September.
House District 43 includes Valleydale and Riverchase in Shelby County and a portion of Altadena in Jefferson County. Republican Mary Sue McClurkin has represented the district since 1998. Earlier this year, Rep. McClurkin announced she would not seek re-election in 2014.
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