By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Wednesday, July 1, Alabama State Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) has been arrested for driving under the influence in Shelby County.
The popular State Senator is listed by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department website as having been arrested on Wednesday for driving under the influence (DUI). As we understand it, according to Alabama law, all persons arrested under the DUI statute have to be held for 24 hours.
Ward responded to the incident saying ”My failure at dealing with stress led me to make incredibly reckless decisions. I recognize that I used alcohol as a crutch. I was very wrong and deeply apologize to my family, friends and constituents. I plan on seeking professional assistance immediately.”
Senator Cameron Robert “Cam” Ward has been elected twice to the Alabama Senate. Prior to that he served two terms in the Alabama House of Representatives. He and his wife, Julie, live in Alabaster with their daughter, Riley.
On Tuesday, June 30, Senator Ward was with Alabama Governor Robert Bentley in Montgomery for a ceremonial bill signing for the Open Meetings Act passed during the 2015 Regular Legislative Session. This legislation amends, strengthens and clarifies the original intent of the Alabama Open Meetings Act of 2005.
Ward sponsored SB21 in the Alabama Senate.
Senator Ward said, “Government should be open, transparent, accountable, and its business done before the people. We have now strengthened the original intent of the Open Meetings law by forbidding members of a government board from holding secret meetings to collude on issues that should be discussed in the open. The people’s business should be done in the light of public oversight.”
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) said, “Transparency promotes government accountability, and as elected officials, we are held to a higher standard for our decisions. It is important that our state’s open meetings law allows the public to see and be involved in government decisions. I supported this bill last year, and I am proud to see the Alabama Legislature pass this important piece of legislation this year.”
SB21 was co-sponsored by state Representative Randy Davis (R-Daphne) in the Alabama House. Rep. Davis said, “The Open Meetings Act ensures that meetings of our public officials are accessible and that everyday citizens can engage in the process. I’m proud to have sponsored this important bill that is truly for the people of Alabama.”
Sen. Ward’s Senate District 14 includes: Shelby County, Chilton County, Jefferson County, Bibb County, and Hale County
Senator Cam Ward was born on March 24, 1971. In 1993, he earned his B.S. Degree from Troy University and in 1996 earned his J.D. from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham.
Senator Ward is an attorney, specializing in economic development and is currently the Executive Director of the Industrial Development Board of Alabaster. Ward serves on the Board of Directors for Leadership Shelby County, The American Village, and is President of the Alabama Law Institute. Senator Ward is also a member of the Alabama Bar Association and the Alabama Republican State Executive Committee. He serves on several Senate Committees including: Confirmations, Finance and Taxation General Fund, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development as the Vice Chairperson, Health and Human Services, Judiciary as Chairman, Local Legislation Shelby County as Chairman, Transportation & Energy, and elections.
Sen. Ward is well known for his work on the Alabama Prison Reform Task Force. On Tuesday Gov. Bentley appointed Ward to the newly created Alabama Criminal Justice Oversight and Implementation Council.
It is not yet known if Sen. Ward will check himself into a rehab program upon his release.
An arrest does not equal a conviction and all accused are presumed to be innocent until convicted by a jury of their peers. Sen. Ward has not yet had his day in court.
