GUNTERSVILLE — State Rep. Kerry Rich (R-Albertville) on Monday formally announced that he would not seek another term in the Alabama House of Representatives.
The North Alabama lawmaker holds 20 years of service in the legislature’s lower chamber. Additionally, Rich served over two years in the administration of former Governor Fob James (R-AL) as legislative director.
Rich will complete his term serving House District 26, which currently includes portions of Marshall and DeKalb Counties and the cities of Albertville, Boaz, Geraldine and Guntersville.
“I’ve had mixed emotions,” Rich said regarding his consideration of running for reelection. “I had decided that it’s time and there’s some things that I want to be able to do. If the Good Lord will bless me with good health for a few years longer I hope I can do those things.”
After noting that 22 years of service is “long enough,” he expressed gratitude to his constituents for entrusting him to represent their interests in Montgomery.
“It’s been a real honor, I mean it really has been, to serve in the legislature from District 26,” said Rich. “I’ve built really good relationships with a lot of people in the district and [have] just been real happy to work with those people and serve those people… It’s been an honor that really I can’t even describe it.”
Rich took note of his significant accomplishments during his two-decades-long service in the legislature.
He was the sponsor of Alabama’s voter ID law, which many see as an integral reform to the state’s electoral system as a measure of combating voter fraud and ensuring integrity at the ballot box. In 2011, Rich passed a bill which was signed into law that banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, a major achievement for the state’s pro-life movement.
Other policy feats Rich noted related to stabilizing the funding foundation for state parks, assistance for local first responders and conservative budgetary reforms. Rich made mention of his and State Sen. Clay Scofield’s (R-Guntersville) successful efforts to keep open the Aviation Technical School at Albertville Regional Airport.
Scofield joined Rich at the press conference to pay homage to the long-serving state representative.
“Kerry has been a mentor of mine and a friend beyond just a coworker,” advised Scofield.
The senator went on to call Rich a “seasoned vet” of the legislative process and noted his experience as being “invaluable” in his service to the district.
“I have to say I have learned probably more from Kerry Rich than anybody else as far as the process, protocols, who to talk to… His district, Marshall County, DeKalb County and the entire state is better off because of his service – there’s no question,” he added.
“We’re going to miss you. I’m going to miss you. I’m just proud of you and for you, and I know you’re going to do great things,” concluded Scofield.
When asked what life after politics looks like for him, Rich said he does not plan to retire as he looked to maintain an active lifestyle. He said he aims to spend time at his property in the western United States, snow skiing, cutting wood and learning to fly fish.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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