By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Wednesday, March 12 the Alabama Association of REALTORS® (AAR) announced that they were supporting state Representative John Merrill (R) from Tuscaloosa in the competitive Alabama Secretary of State race.
The President of AAR, Pam Segars-Morris, said in a written statement, “Representative Merrill has been a true champion for REALTORS®, private property rights, affordable homeownership and commercial entrepreneurship. Rep. Merrill values the REALTOR® Code of Ethics to give equal opportunity to all individuals in the State of Alabama!”
Representative John Merrill said, “I am overwhelmed and truly humbled by the amount of enthusiastic support and encouragement that has been given to me by the Alabama REALTORS®.”
President Segars-Morris said, “We wholeheartedly endorse Rep. Merrill because of his previous record of support, his firm commitment to principal, his truly dedicated and demonstrated ability to lead, and because of our expectation that he has the potential to become the best Secretary of State in Alabama’s history.”
Rep. Merrill said, “I am honored to have the endorsement of this conservative group of business leaders from all around the great state of Alabama!”
The Alabama REALTORS® Political Action Committee (ARPAC) announced their decision after its meeting on March 12, 2014 in Montgomery.
The Alabama Association of REALTORS® describe themselves as the largest statewide organization of real estate professionals. “United by adherence to the Code of Ethics, AAR members work as real estate professionals in the sale, lease, appraisal and development of residential, commercial, rural and resort properties throughout Alabama.”
John Merrill was elected in 2010 to the state House seat vacated by Representative Robert Bentley (R) when he ran successfully for Governor of Alabama. Rep. Merrill faces Montgomery County Probate Judge Reese McKinney and Crenshaw County Probate Judge Jim Perdue in the Republican Primary.
Former Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman (R) left the office to pursue a career opportunity with ALFA last year. Chapman was term limited from running for a third term as Secretary of State. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) appointed former Secretary of State Jim Bennett (R) to serve the remainder of Secretary of State Chapman’s term.
The Republican Party Primary will be held on Tuesday, June 3 and a runoff will be necessary if no candidate can get 50 percent of the vote plus one. The eventual Republican nominee will then have to face Lula Albert-Kaigler (D) in the November election.
