By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Monday, Alabama State Senator Phil Williams (R) from Rainbow City was in Ashville talking to the St. Clair County Farmer’s Federation seeking their endorsement.
Senator Williams’ district currently consists of Etowah and Cherokee Counties; but redistricting means that in the 2014 election it will expand to include parts of Dekalb County and Northern St. Clair, specifically Chandler Mountain, Steele, a portion of Ashville, and Ragland.
Sen. Williams said, “My district is covered up with agriculture.”
Williams said that he is not a career politician. He and his wife have been married for 27 years and his
son is the fourth generation of his family to be an Army officer.
Williams himself is a veteran of both the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The conservative Senator said that he thoroughly enjoy being a state senator and said that the Republican super-majority has been making a big difference in this state. “I do enjoy what I do.” Williams said that being a state senator takes more time than his law practice does.
Williams sits on the Alabama Senate Agriculture Committee. He said that he sponsored and helped pass the new trespass bill which protects farmers and land owners from frivolous lawsuits from people who are hurt while trespassing on their property.
Williams said that he also helped pass legislation so that rowcroppers can get tax credits for installing irrigation systems. As a Senator he has also become involved in the water wars. Williams warned that Georgia was trying to take all the water that we need for Georgia.
Williams told the gathered farmers and ranchers, “I am working for you and your endorsement would mean a lot to me.”
Brian Hardin, the Director of Legislation for the Alabama Farmer’s Federation said that having conservative Seantors like Phil Williams in Montgomery is helpful to the organization. “I do want to emphasize Trespass Laws. Property issues is one of the biggest issues we work on. Hardin called Williams, “An outstanding voice for fiscal conservatism.”
Hardin said that looking ahead to the June primaries the last date to qualify is April 4th
Hardin said that the Alabama Farmer’s Federation has already endorsed several incumbents who have been good friends. Hardin urged the farmers to reach out to their legislators and to stay informed especially with the legislative session coming up on June 14th;
The Etowah and Cherokee County Farmer’s Federation Chapters have already endorsed Senator Williams and he is hoping to get the St. Clair and Dekalb County endorsements.
