By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Wednesday, Alabama State Senator Bill Holtzclaw announced on Facebook that he was running for re-election to the Alabama State Senate and that he was kicking off his campaign with a fundraiser in Huntsville on Tuesday, August 27th.
Sen. Holtzclaw wrote, “It is my honor to serve and represent the residents of Limestone and Madison Counties in the Alabama State Senate. Having been elected to office in November 2010, it has been a fast paced three years! I am seeking re-election as your State Senator and am honored by your support. Please join us on Tuesday, August 27th from 6 – 8 PM at the Westin at Bridgestreet!”
On his blog, Sen. Holtzclaw (a committed Christian) said that he prayed to God for guidance before running for the Alabama Senate and, “Now, three years later, as an incumbent with re-election fast approaching – I didn’t want to assume anything. And so in late May through early June I started prayerfully seeking the same answers, or confirmation – is this what I am called to do, again? Am I following His plan for me? Over time I was led to a You Version Bible Application devotion – Restart: Stepping Out in Faith. I immediately thought it was neat that it followed a 40 day plan; the significance of the 40 days was not lost on me. The devotion follows Nehemiah’s quest and leadership, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The devotion ties together the theme of seeing your community around you with new eyes and to discover God’s heart for rebuilding broken lives and hopes. Earlier this morning I finished the 40th day. I followed the devotion day-by-day (…for the most part), admittedly hoping for that “eureka” moment of confirmation but somewhere around the half-way point realized God’s plan was for me to simply take some R&R…Rest and Reflection as a part of his plan in starting the re-election campaign.”
The District 2 race reportedly will be hotly contested. According to original reporting by the liberal blog, Left in Alabama, Alabama Democratic Majority Executive Director Bradley Davidson listed Holtzclaw as one of seven GOP Senators that they are targeting in the 2014 election during a speech at the first ever Alabama Democratic Majority convention in Birmingham.
The other six are Senator Paul Sanford from District 7, Senator Shadrack McGill from District 8, Senator Phil Williams from District 10, Senator Gerald Dial from District 13, Senator Gerald Allen from District 21, and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh from District 12.
The Democrats are hoping to take control of at least one House of the Alabama legislature in order for them to have veto power over Republican legislation.
Senator Holtzclaw is a former Marine and a former NASA employee who had to give up his NASA career to run for the Alabama Senate.
