By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Monday, Indian Springs orthopedist Dr. Chad Mathis became the first candidate to officially file his papers to qualify for the Sixth District Congressional Race. Mathis also announced that his campaign had raised an impressive $356,097.82 in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Dr. Mathis announced that his campaign has $305,177.15 in Cash-On-Hand.
The Alabama Political Reporter spoke with Dr. Mathis and his wife on Monday at Alabama Republican Headquarters in Hoover where Dr. Mathis expressed his confidence in the campaign.
Dr. Chad Mathis said in a written statement, “Thanks in large part to the generosity of friends, family and supporters who have contributed to our campaign, I feel we are on our way to victory. Starting the 1st quarter of 2014 with more than $305,000.00 cash-on-hand shows the strength of this campaign.”
Mathis said that 84% of the money raised actually came from the State of Alabama. Doctors who are frustrated with the myriad of regulations imposed on them by Obamacare were responsible for 22% of his contributions.
Congressmen Andy Harris, M.D. (R) from Maryland and Phil Roe, M.D. (R) from Tennessee both contributed $1,000.00 from their Congressional campaign accounts to Mathis.
Dr. Mathis said that, “The impressive financial report we plan to file shows the support I have to repeal and replace Obamacare – and it will be my mission to achieve this the moment I’m sworn into office.”
Dr. Mathis is the first candidate to formally qualify for the Sixth Congressional District; but at least four candidates have announced that they are running for the U.S. House of Representatives seat.
Mattress factory owner, Tom Vigneulle announced his candidacy last week. The co-founder and longtime CEO of the Birmingham based Alabama Policy Institute (API), Gary Palmer, is also running. Longtime Harbert executive, Will Brooke, is also a candidate as is state Representative Paul Demarco from Homewood. It is likely that other candidates will declare for the rare open Congressional seat in one of the most conservative districts in the entire country.
At this point The Alabama Political Reporter is not aware of a Democrat or an independent or third party candidate who has announced that they are running for the heavily Republican leaning district. If there is no third party or Democratic challenger then the winner of the Republican Primary will win the seat in Congress.
The Sixth District Congressional District seat is currently held by Rep. Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia. After serving in the seat for 21 years, Rep. Bachus announced that he would not seek re-election when his current term expires.
The Republican Primary will be on June 3, 2014.
