Former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby used the third episode of the Grand Old Podcast to reflect on the philosophy that guided his 44 years in Congress: Give people opportunities rather than government dependency.
“My thoughts were always dealing with how to help people back home when I was in Washington and give them opportunities,” Shelby said. “Don’t give them a check. Give them opportunities to work, create jobs, let the market work, have good educational facilities, have good infrastructure and compete in the world.”
Shelby shared his story with Alabama Republican Party Chairman Scott Stadthagen on the party’s podcast, which features conversations with leaders who have helped shape the state.
Shelby grew up in Fairfield Highlands in Jefferson County as one of eight children. He attended public schools before earning his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Alabama and practicing law in Tuscaloosa.
He entered the Alabama Senate in 1970, won election to the U.S. House in 1978 and began the first of six U.S. Senate terms in 1987.
Shelby also recalled an unexpected invitation he received from President Ronald Reagan while he was still a Democratic member of the House.
“I walked in the office, and all at once I realized I was by myself,” Shelby said. “There was President Reagan, Vice President Bush and Chief of Staff Jim Baker, later secretary of state, three and me.”
Shelby initially wondered what the country’s three most powerful Republicans wanted with a relatively new congressman from Alabama.
“They wanted me to change parties,” he said.
Shelby did not immediately accept the invitation, but said Reagan and other Republican leaders “laid the groundwork” for his eventual decision to join the GOP in 1994. He later helped build the Alabama Republican Party by focusing on county courthouses and local offices across the state.
Shelby told Stadthagen that the party should continue expanding while remaining grounded in its principles.
“Build a big tent. Bring people in. Don’t run them out,” Shelby said. “But stand for something. Stand for something.”
Asked which project stood out from his career, Shelby pointed to the FBI’s expanding campus in Huntsville.
“The FBI coming to Huntsville is a big milestone for Alabama because it’s going to be the second-largest presence of the FBI in the world outside Washington,” he said. “It should grow to about 4,000 employees, maybe more. These are scientists and engineers. It’s going to help take Huntsville to another level.”
Shelby also praised U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, who previously served as his chief of staff and succeeded him in the Senate.
“You’ve got a good replacement up there,” Shelby told Stadthagen. “Katie Britt absolutely is going to do a good job.”
