By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Former state Sen. Tom Butler announced that he will run for Alabama state Senate District 2 in the June Republican Primary. The seat is currently held by state Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, who is leaving his seat to run for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional seat.
Butler served in the Senate from 1994 to 2010 as a Democrat. In the 2010 general election he was defeated by Holtzclaw 33,050-23,060.
Butler said in a statement that he built a strong reputation as a “Working Leader” when he served in the Alabama Legislature from 1982 to 1994 and in the state Senate from 1994 to 2010.
“Butler was instrumental in the District 2’s growth by securing funding for roads, new schools and bringing thousands of new jobs,” Butler’s campaign wrote. “Tom was recognized as one of the most outstanding legislators in Alabama for providing leadership for regional economic development to recruit Navistar, Boeing, Menasha, Toyota, and Steelcase.”
“Being a public servant is my calling,” Butler said. “I am ready to go back to work for District 2 in the Alabama State Senate. We will work tirelessly to improve this district and the State of Alabama.”
While in the state Senate, Butler created, sponsored, and passed legislation to keep a large percentage of sales tax growth due to BRAC in North Alabama to build new schools, according to his campaign. He supported legislation to bring state and federal dollars for road improvements. Tom was the Senate sponsor to bring more Tennessee Valley Authority funds to North Alabama. He secured state funding for the National Space Sciences & Technology Center, and University of Alabama at Huntsville Applied Sciences Center
Butler is a registered pharmacist and an alumnus of Auburn University and the University of Alabama. He and his wife Karen are members of the University Baptist Church where he has served as a church medical missionary in South America and taught special education Sunday school class.
While in the Senate, Butler was the Chairman of the Children, Youth Affairs, and Human Resources Committee. He is also a former Senate Majority Leader.
Holtzclaw is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Madison, in the GOP primary.
The major party primaries will be on June 5, 2018.
