By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Seven candidates are running for Congress in Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District.
On Friday, February, March 21 at 6:30 pm meet and hear all the Republican Congressional Candidates for the 6th District at a free forum at Oak Mountain Church. The event is being sponsored by Eagle Forum and the Shelby County Republican Women. Oak Mountain Church is at: 5080 Cahaba Valley Trace, Birmingham, Alabama 35242.
Republican candidates include: Alabama Policy Institute Founder and longtime President Gary Palmer, state Senator Scott Beason from Gardendale, longtime Harbert executive Will Brooke, mattress manufacturer Tom Vigneulle, State Representative Paul DeMarco from Homewood, Indian Springs orthopedist Chad Mathis and Robert Shattuck.
Gary Palmer said at a rally in Homewood, “Every candidate in this race is going to tell you they are for reducing government.” Palmer said that they will all tell you that they are conservative Christians, “If you are going to run in Alabama you are going to run as a conservative Christian.” Palmer said that the question to ask is: “Whether or not they can be effective?”
Dr. Chad Mathis said recently at the opening of his campaign headquarters event: “The question I get asked most often is why an orthopedic surgeon would run for Congress.” Mathis said he is running because I am living the American dream. I grew up without much. I worked in the same factory as my Dad to pay for college. My wife and I worked to pay for my medical school. Dr. Mathis moved to Alabama because my family is from Alabama and my uncle lives in Cullman. “The American Dream is under attack. Some people don’t even believe in the American dream anymore.” The American dream is being threatened by Obamacare and the national debt.”
Senator Scott Beason said at the February Rainy Day Patriots Candidates Forum that all the candidates will have the same positions on most issues, “The difference is that I really intends to do what I says I will do. I have been the tip of the spear many times.” “I have been there fighting for the things that you and I believe in. I am the person you can count on.” “Everybody has good intentions but it seems like Washington pulls your spine out at the airport.” Beason said that Congress is all about numbers. If you can get enough conservatives into office they will control the caucus and the leadership. Beason has served in both the Alabama Senate and the Alabama House of Representatives.
Representative Paul DeMarco said in a recent written statemetn, “I am the lowest paid member of the Alabama House because I refused to take a pay raise. I built a reputation as a fiscal conservative, opposing tax increases and over-spending, even when it meant going against some members of my own party. I will not compromise those principles in Washington.” Rep. DeMarco has been a member of the Alabama House of Representatives since 2005.
Tom Vigneulle said at his campaign kick off event that he supports limited government, “The Government must stay out of our hopes, our dreams, and our desires.” Vigneulle warned “The biggest threat to our freedom is the progressives. They want control. They focus on the impossible. They choose to be alienated from America so they can be citizens of the world. They focus on the future because it is imaginary.” “You and I know that they are merchants of misery.”
Will Brooke said on his website, “As a businessman, I know job one in Washington is to cut Federal spending and get our financial house in order. A good first step is replacing the planned economy disaster called Obamacare with a market based solution to our healthcare need.”
Robert Shattuck said in a written statement, “My response to this is that there are legitimate partisan differences that must be thrashed out, but there is something more. To wit, there is an “iron triangle” in Washington D.C. of lawmakers (both Republicans and Democratics), lobbyists, and special interest organizations, that profits enormously from tens of millions and hundreds of millions of dollars sloshing around in Washington in a cesspool of, call it what you want, “influence peddling,” “government for sale,” or just plain corruption.”
The winner of the June 3rd Republican Primary will face Democrat Avery Vise in the November general election.
The Sixth Congressional District is currently represented by Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia. Congressman Bachus is not running for re-election. The Alabama Republican Party honored Representative Bachus for his 22 years of service to the party and the state in the U.S. House of Representatives at their annual Winter Dinner last month. Spencer Bachus defeated Democrat Ben Erdreich in 1992 after Jefferson County was divided into two different Congressional Districts: the 7th being majority Black and the Sixth being majority White.
