The pieces are starting to come together for who could be returning to the Alabama State House in 2023.

On Tuesday, State Rep. Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills) announced he was seeking reelection for the Alabama House of Representatives District 48, which includes portions of southern Jefferson County and northern Shelby County.

Carns is considered one of the more conservative members of the Alabama House and was a vocal opponent of efforts to pass medicinal marijuana.

“I’m excited to announce I am running for re-election,” Carns said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “We made several conservative reforms this past session, including protecting our election laws, keeping our small businesses and churches open during a pandemic, and passing record budgets for education, but there is still more work to be done.”

Carns also successfully shepherded a constitutional amendment through the Alabama Legislature that would prohibit the legislature from changing voting laws six months prior to a general election if approved by the voters in November 2022.

“My experience in business has instilled in me a firm understanding of conservatism,” he added. “We have a great opportunity moving forward of continuing to protect our small businesses and families.  I have been a long-time champion against raising our taxes, and I will continue to be vigilant on that front.”

Carns was elected to the State House of Representatives in 2011. Currently, he is the chairman of the Jefferson County House Delegation and the Commerce and Small Business Committee.

@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.