It is still more than a year until Alabama voters go to the polls to cast a vote for who they want to replace the outgoing Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) in the general election. However, two Republican candidates are already out and about campaigning in the very early stages of the 2022 election cycle.

Among those is former U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard, one of the two who have formally announced their intentions to run for that U.S. Senate seat.

During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show” on Monday, Blanchard discussed her experience and her reasons for running, one of which she said was to stop the trend toward socialism in the United States.

“It is progressivism being thrust on us,” she explained. “I had someone in church tell me that it was the fight against good and evil and to stand strong. I served in a former socialistic country that their paycheck — 50% of their paycheck goes to the government. The rate we’re going in ballooning our government — that’s what we’re looking at. And they can’t even afford normal doctor visits if they can’t get on the list for their government doctor visits because 50% of their paycheck is out the door.”

“That’s what we’re looking towards — that’s socialism,” she continued. “I want to get in there and stop this craziness and keep these Alabama values moving forward — Christian conservative, using our right voice for the right thing and our Alabama values. That is why I’m willing to jump in.”

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.