Retired U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) special agent Angelo Fermo on Tuesday announced his candidacy to seek the Republican nomination for the Alabama House of Representatives, District 64.
Fermo, a 21-year law enforcement veteran, began his career with the U.S. Customs Service following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy as a criminal investigator and later went on to graduate from special agent training for the U.S. Customs Service Academy.
The candidate holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a graduate degree in education.
According to a release, Fermo participated in anti-money laundering efforts and was assigned to work on the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
He became a subject matter expert in targeting Mexican drug cartels and was awarded the San Antonio Special Agent of the Year award in 2006 for his work in combating drug trafficking organizations along the U.S. southwestern border.
Fermo moved to Alabama in 2007 when he was transferred to Mobile at the direction of Baldwin County Homeland Security Investigations supervisor Joseph Bettner. There, he partook in an undercover operation targeting the Colombian drug cartels.
A release advised that Fermo owns numerous small businesses in the Baldwin County towns of Loxley and Belforest.
In announcing his candidacy, Fermo indicated that his law enforcement experience would be a qualifying factor for him to represent the Baldwin County constituency.
“As a law enforcement officer, I have spent 15 years protecting the families of Baldwin County and was willing to lay down my life for your families,” stated Fermo. “It would be my honor to protect our conservative values in the State House. I’m running because I believe in the American way of life and our children’s futures.”
He added, “I believe my experience in law enforcement, my time navigating the swamp in Washington D.C., and my time working in the Montgomery State Capitol has prepared me to go to Montgomery and fight back against those who seek to radically change this great state and country. I look forward to meeting as many of my fellow citizens as possible in Alabama’s 64th District during the course of this campaign and hope to earn your vote.”
House District 64 is a seat currently held by State Rep. Harry Shiver (R-Bay Minette), who has opted against seeking reelection to the lower chamber.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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