By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The Gary Palmer for Congress campaign continues to gain momentum and endorsements.
On Friday, June 20, Indiana Governor Mike Pence (R), in town to be the keynote speaker at the Alabama Republican Party’s Summer Dinner, endorsed Gary Palmer in Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District.
On Monday, June 23, State Senator Scott Beason (R) from Gardendale announced his endorsement of Gary Palmer on a Birmingham area talk radio station: AM 1070 WAPI.
Governor Pence said, “It is an honor to endorse my friend Gary Palmer for Alabama’s 6th District as Gary has been battling for the conservative values of limited government and free markets for more than two decades. His accomplishments have set an example for small-government minded reformers across the nation. In Congress, Gary will be a staunch defender of the right to life and the sanctity of marriage. He is clearly a conservative who is ready to lead in Washington.”
Senator Scott Beason said, “Because of my time in the Legislature, I have known Gary Palmer for years and have always appreciated his ability to bring new ideas and solutions to the table. Anyone who watches a debate or forum will quickly realize that Gary understands the important issues and his willingness to actually take a position on those issues makes him the only one prepared to lead in Washington.”
Senator Beason was the third place finisher in the June 3 Republican Primary. “Gary and I hold the same conservative principles, he is tough enough to have a real impact in Washington,” said Beason
Gov. Pence served in the United States Congress for 12 years and was elected governor in 2012. While serving in the United States House of Representatives, Pence served as Chairman of the House Republican Conference, which is the third highest Republican leadership position in the House.
Palmer said in a written statement, “I’m excited to have the endorsement of Gov. Pence. He has incredible success implementing conservative reforms in the Indiana statehouse. That’s how we’re going to drive change in Washington – from the states. Washington isn’t going to change Washington, and we’ve got to realize that change in this country is going to be driven from the ground up. Mike understands that better than anyone, and it’s an honor to have received his endorsement.”
Palmer’s Republican Primary Runoff opponent is state Representative Paul DeMarco (R) from Homewood. In the Republican Primary, DeMarco got the most votes…..32 percent of the Republican Primary vote to Palmer’s 20 percent Sen. Beason came in third with 15 percent. Dr. Chad Mathis came in fourth with 15 percent of the vote followed by Will Brooke with 13 percent. Brooke has already endorsed Gary Palmer.
Palmer grew up in Hackleburgh, Alabama, the son of a logger, then went to the University of Alabama where he got a degree in Operations. Just a few years later he co-founded the conservative Alabama Policy Institute (API), which he ran as President for 24 years.
Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District is currently represented by Congressman Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia. Representative Bachus is retiring after 22 years serving the people of Alabama in the U.S. Congress. Bachus served in the Alabama Senate prior to defeating U.S. Rep. Ben Erdreich (D) in 1992.
The Republican Primary Runoff is on Tuesday, July 15.
The eventual Republican Party nominee will still have to face Democrat Avery Vice and Libertarian Aimee Love on the November 4 General Election ballot.
