By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Republicans in parts of Cullman, Blount, and Morgan Counties went to the polls today and selected Randall Shedd as the Republican nominee for Alabama state representative. Randall Shedd defeated Danny Alldredge in the Republican runoff for Alabama House District 11.
Randall Shedd is the Director of the Cullman County Commission on Aging. As of press time, Shedd led Alldredge with 1,621 votes to 1,155. Shedd will face Democrat Kelly Evans in the May 7th special election.
Shedd was the Mayor of Fairview until 2012 when he chose not to run for reelection. Shedd also served two terms as Cullman county commissioner.
The District 11 seat became vacant when Alabama Governor Robert Bentley appointed Jeremy Oden (R) from Vinemont to the Alabama Public Service Commission.
Shedd told David Palmer of the Cullman Times, “Surely to goodness it’s the cleanest races ever been run. I want to thank Danny and his family for the way this race was conducted. It’s been a pleasure throughout the runoff. He really ran a good campaign. I also want to thank my family, the seniors and everyone who came out to vote on such a cold day.”
Randall Shedd is 59 and has resided in Fairview since 1988. He has been married 33 years to Debbie (Ray) Shedd and they have two sons, Adam and Cody who reside with their families in Berlin, Germany and Live Oak, Florida. Randall was born in Arab the son of Kermitt and Louise Shedd of Baileyton where he grew up. Randall graduated from Fairview High School and received an associates degree from Wallace State in Hanceville and attended Samford University.
Randall has been employed since 2003 as the director of Cullman County Commission on Aging where he oversees the senior services agency and 15 senior centers. He also publishes the Cullman County Retiree & Senior News. Shedd was elected Chairman of the Cullman County Commission in 1977 at age 23 and was also re-elected. Randall served four terms as mayor of his hometown of Fairview from 1996 until 2012.
Shedd was elected President of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama in 1984 and has served as president of the North Alabama Mayors Association and president of the Cullman County Mayors Association.
Shedd and his wife Debbie attend Welcome Baptist Church. Shedd said on his website, “Since I was age twelve, my Faith is very important to me. My Faith is a daily experience.” “I am fond of the scripture that says, ‘Let your light shine’ and I have always noted this scripture does not say for us to ‘make your light shine’ and I think if we are not careful as Christians, we can be counterproductive for Christ if we do otherwise.” “Our country was founded on religious freedom and I will certainly practice such freedom and strive to represent Christian principles in my daily life.”
Shedd told ‘The Blount Countian’, “I am the best candidate for this office because I can be a strong voice in Montgomery for District 11. For 16 years, as mayor of Fairview, we made progress by developing partnerships – with other levels of government, with private enterprise, with civic and faith-based organizations, and we helped ourselves. As mayor, we actually lowered taxes in our town to the lowest in the county and our town has almost no regulations. While many communities in our nation were closing businesses, Fairview was opening new ones. As mayor, we conducted community meetings, agreed on what we wanted to do in our town, developed a long term plan, and worked together to get it done. I think state government could use our recipe.”
Randall Shedd won 47% of the vote in the Special Primary election in House District 11, but his failure to receive a majority necessitated the special runoff. Legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Ball (R) from Madison would eliminate primary runoffs like this one where one candidate got at least 35% of the vote. Shedd will face Democrat Kelly Evans in the Special General Election on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.
