By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Monday Matt Fridy (R), who is running for the Alabama House of Representatives for District 73, announced that Jack Gray and Hal “Hewy” Woodman have agreed to be Co-Chairmen on his campaign. Fridy also announced the formation of a Helena Campaign Committee.
Fridy said, “I am proud to announce that Jack Gray and Hewy Woodman have agreed to serve as co-chairs on my campaign. Both of these men bring a great deal of expertise and knowledge to my campaign. I am excited to have their support in Helena.”
Jack Gray said, “Matt Fridy is the perfect person to represent us in Montgomery.” Gray said that Fridy, “Not only is a strong fiscal and social conservative, but he knows the needs of Shelby County and Helena.”
Hal “Hewy” Woodman said, “I have known Matt for many years. He is a tireless worker and someone who will fight for us and represent us well.”
Jack Gray is a former member of the Helena City Council and has also served as Chairman of the Helena Planning and Zoning Commission. Gray is a member of the Shelby County Republican Executive Committee, Helena Buck Creek Festival Committee and Kiwanis Club of Helena.
Hal “Hewy” Woodman currently is a member of the Helena City Council. Woodman is also the past director of Old Cahaba Home Owners Association.
House District 73 is a newly drawn legislative seat in Shelby County.
Rapid growth in the Shelby County area in the first part of this century meant that when the state legislature redistricted and reapportioned seats following the 2010 census Shelby County would get additional representation. House District 73, which currently is represented by State Rep. Joe Hubbard (D) from Montgomery has been moved to Shelby County, thus Fridy will not have to face an incumbent.
Former Chairman Fridy said when he announced his candidacy, “I’m running for the House of Representatives, District 73. I believe that we can and must maintain a conservative voice for our district, a voice that fights for low taxes, fiscal responsibility, and small business. As your representative, I will work hard day in and day out for the people of our district and I will make sure our concerns are raised and addressed in Montgomery.”
Fridy promised to always be truthful, to vote to do what is in the best interests of District 73 regardless of party, to work toward increasing road funds for Shelby County, to eliminate unnecessary regulations, to keep taxes low, oppose the status quo in education, defend our Second Amendment rights, and keep taxes low. Fridy promised not to pass any new laws unless they are absolutely necessary.
Fridy served two terms as chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party and is a present member of the Alabama Republican State Executive Committee. Chairman Fridy served a two-year term on the ALGOP Steering Committee and has volunteered on behalf of many Republican candidates including managing successful political campaigns for Rep. April Weaver, Rep. Kurt Wallace, Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon, and Shelby County Commissioner Mike Vest. Matt is a partner with the law firm of Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff, and Brandt, where he specializes in constitutional law, government law, critical motion and appellate practice, and corporate litigation.
He is married to the former Kimberly Arledge, a pharmacist. They have four children and attend Spring Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Fridy is a graduate of Leadership Shelby County and is a former Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors of the University of Montevallo’s National Alumni Association. Matt is a past member of the Board of Directors of Hands On Birmingham, a nonprofit, community service organization. Matt graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1998 and attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, where he was the Executive Editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
