This week, multiple North Alabama Republican lawmakers made public their preferred candidate in Alabama’s crowded GOP gubernatorial primary field.
Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey’s reelection campaign announced that the state’s chief executive had earned the endorsements of 10 Tennessee Valley legislators.
The following lawmakers announced their support of Ivey:
- State Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence)
- State Sen. Tom Butler (R-Madison)
- State Rep. Lynn Greer (R-Rogersville)
- State Rep. Parker Moore (R-Decatur)
- State Rep. Danny Crawford (R-Athens)
- State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest)
- State Rep. Proncey Robertson (R-Mount Hope)
- State Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur)
- State Rep. Howard Sanderford (R-Huntsville)
- State Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville)
In a statement released by the Ivey campaign, the governor extended her gratitude to the lawmakers for their support of her reelection bid and spoke to her administration’s economic achievements.
“These are great members of the Alabama legislature who represent their districts well and I appreciate their support. Working together, we’ve been able to deliver results for hard-working Alabamians,” asserted Ivey. “We’ve created one of the best business environments in the nation, the lowest unemployment rate in the history of our state, over $25 billion in new business investment and over 50,000 new jobs.”
Ivey touched on multiple pieces of legislation that she had signed into law which she deemed were of importance to the conservative base.
She continued, “We have also fought to protect our Christian, conservative values by enacting the strongest pro-life bill in the nation, banning transgender sports in our schools and banning critical race theory from being taught in our classrooms.”
“The Democrats – if you can even call them that anymore, I prefer the term ‘blue-state liberals’ – will have a tough pill to swallow when they see the true conservative wins we will continue to deliver to the people of our state. I appreciate these Republican leaders’ endorsements and look forward to continuing to work with them in my next term,” concluded Ivey.
One North Alabama legislator, State Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia), earlier this week broke with his fellow Republican colleagues and endorsed businessman Tim James’ bid to claim the governor’s mansion.
In a statement announcing his endorsement of James, Stutts proclaimed that the time had come for “new leadership.”
“I have worked with Governor Ivey for the last 8 years, but the time has come for new leadership for Alabama,” stated Stutts. “As we move into the next four years, we need dynamic and forward-thinking leadership to take this state to the next level. Tim James is the right one for the job.”
Stutts continued, “We need a governor who has the strength and stamina to fight back against the ever-growing pressure by the federal government to take over every aspect of our daily lives. During the debate over vaccine and mask mandates, Governor Ivey erred on the side of federal mandates at the expense of personal freedom. In addition, her administration has recently been a tool of special interests trying to push legalizing marijuana and massively expanding casino gambling and infinite increasing of gas taxes. The culture of this state is being eroded before our very eyes.”
The Colbert County senator declared that James would be “the Alabama version” of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
“Tim James’ experience in the private sector and his conservative values, firmly anchored by his faith, make him the leader we need for today’s challenges. Tim James will be the Alabama version of Ron DeSantis, and I am proud and honored to endorse him for governor,” finished Stutts.
James conveyed his appreciation to Stutts and lauded the senator for his “commitment to principle.”
“I could not be more proud to have Senator Stutts’ endorsement,” said James. “His character and commitment to principle are what is needed by every elected official in Alabama. I look forward to working with him to cut taxes, improve Alabama’s failing schools, and protect our state from federal overreach.”
The primary election is slated to occur on May 24, 2022.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
