Roby pulls in major endorsements from 36 mayors in Alabama's 2nd congressional district

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — In the race for political office, endorsements can make or break a campaign. People tend to trust the opinions of those they know, and as the cliche goes, all politics is local. As the race for Alabama’s 2nd congressional district seat heats up between incumbent Martha Roby and Tea Party challenger Becky Gerritson local endorsements may make a significant difference in March’s primary.

This week Congresswoman Roby pulled in endorsements from 36 mayors, hailing from each corner of the district.

The mayors imparted their endorsement in a joint letter sent to Roby this week.

“We appreciate your deep commitment to our local communities,” the mayors wrote.

“Since your first election to Congress, you have demonstrated a willingness to effectively engage with federal agencies on our behalf to promote our local interests and advance our constituents’ best interests. Your steadfast advocacy for the critical military installations in our area, and of our many constituents who serve in uniform at home and abroad, promotes our district’s proud role in the nation’s defense. Additionally, we value federal, state, and local partnerships, and we appreciate your support of infrastructure improvement and economic development efforts across Central and Southeast Alabama.”

The 36 mayors represent each of the 15 counties in the 2nd district:

– Jim Giganti, Mayor of Abbeville (Henry County)
– Earl Johnson, Mayor of Andalusia (Covington County)
– Chris Caldwell, Mayor of Babbie, (Covington County)
– Bernie Sullivan, Mayor of Brantley (Crenshaw County)
– Jimmy Ramage, Mayor of Brundidge (Pike County)
– Jimmy Garner, Mayor of Carolina (Covington County)
– Rebecca Beasley, Mayor of Clayton (Barbour County)
– David Grice, Mayor of Clio (Barbour County)
– Mike Schmitz, Mayor of Dothan (Houston County)
– Mickey Murdock, Mayor of Elba (Coffee County)
– Jack Tibbs, Mayor of Eufaula (Barbour County)
– Margaret White, Mayor of Elmore (Elmore County)
– Robert Williamson, Mayor of Florala (Covington County)
– Philip Carter, Mayor of Geneva (Geneva County)
– Jerome Antone, Mayor of Georgiana (Butler County)
– Dan Jackson, Mayor of Glenwood (Crenshaw County)
– Dexter McClendon, Mayor of Greenville (Butler County)
– Jeff Sorrells, Mayor of Hartford (Geneva County)
– Ray Marler, Mayor of Headland (Henry County)
– Judy Baker, Mayor of Heath (Covington County)
– Eugene Birge, Mayor of Lockhart, (Covington County)
– Jimmy Grant, Mayor of Louisville, (Barbour County)
– Joe Sport, Mayor of Luverne (Crenshaw County)
– John Bartholomew, Mayor of Opp (Covington County)
– Billy Blackwell, Mayor of Ozark (Dale County)
– Lester Odom, Mayor of McKenzie (Butler and Conecuh Counties)
– Mildred Whittington, Mayor of Midway (Bullock County)
– Todd Strange, Mayor of Montgomery (Montgomery County)
– Bill Gillespie, Mayor of Prattville (Autauga and Elmore Counties)
– Terri Carter, Mayor of Repton (Conecuh County)
– Willie Hendrix, Mayor of Red Level (Barbour County)
– Patricia Gunter, Mayor of River Falls (Covington County)
– Chris Thomasson, Mayor of Sanford (Covington County)
– Rob Hinson, Mayor of Slocomb (Geneva County)
– Bobby Payne, Mayor of Tallassee (Elmore County)
– Jason Reeves, Mayor of Troy (Pike County)

Roby thanked the mayors in a statement Tuesday.

I’m grateful for such an inspiring show of support from across the district,” she said. “I’ve always believed my first job is to listen to those I represent and work on their behalf in Congress. I’m proud to partner with mayors and local leaders throughout the district in helping to promote their communities.

“It’s important for our local communities to know they have a listening ear and an active voice fighting for them in Congress. I’m honored as ever to be their representative.”

Challenger Becky Gerritson earned an endorsement of her own this week from former district 2 congressional candidate Rick Barber, who lost to Roby in the 2010 primary.

Earlier this month he Alabama Tea Party and Conservative Coalition (ATPCC) banded together to endorse Gerritson, a Tea Party president herself, simultaneously disavowing another Tea Party group which endorsed Roby.

The primary will take place March 1st, 2016. There is currently no Democratic challenger for the seat.