By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
In 2010, former State Senator Shadrack McGill (R) ran for office challenging arguably the most powerful state Senator in the then Democratic controlled Alabama State Senate, Senator Lowell Barron (D-Fyffe). Ignoring the incumbent’s overwhelming money and name recognition, McGill ran anyway and launched one of the most successful insurgent campaigns in Alabama political history. Now Shadrack is back and this time his eye is set on the United States Senate.
Former Sen. McGill said in a statement, “My faith is the driving force in my life, and I am seeking this seat because I feel the Lord calling me to do so. I refuse to sit idly by and see the values that were foundational to this country and are at the core of the faith shared by so many Alabamians assaulted and undermined in Washington. As Senator, I will fight for religious liberty, the Right to Life, traditional marriage, and work to return this country to the God who has blessed us throughout our history. For the sake of our children and grandchildren, this kind of bold leadership is needed if we hope to leave them a country we could recognize.”
Senator McGill wrote, “I want you to understand exactly why I am running for US Senate. Possibly the biggest problem in our government today is the lack of term limits, which leads to the making of career politicians and political corruption.”
McGill continued, “A career politician’s focus becomes more about putting money into their bank accounts than truly serving “YOU” the people. You hear very little from them until its election time. By then special interest groups have put so much money into their campaign accounts that they become almost unbeatable. This reminds me of the ole adage, “It’s hard to get a pig to slaughter itself.” Washington, DC can be very much like a pig pen for elected officials. When they are newly elected, like little piglets, they are clean, hard working and unencumbered by special interest groups. Once elected though, they forget their conservative values and begin listening to the ones carrying the slop buckets. The career politician’s primary focus becomes all about winning the next election so they can remain in the pig pen to grow fatter and fatter. My pledge to you if elected to the US Senate is to be “the hog that slaughtered itself.” I will serve one term and go home.”
McGill promised that if elected to the U.S. Senate, “My efforts will be to get rid of ObamaCare, ISIS, Common Core, and the EPA to name just a few. I will be the strongest voice for religious freedom, the unborn child and our military. I humbly ask for your vote for US Senate on March the 1st 2016.”
McGill is challenging five term incumbent Richard Shelby (R) in the March 1 Republican Primary.
Unlike some of the other Shelby challengers, McGill has to this point refused to go negative against Senator Shelby. Sen. McGill expressed gratitude to Shelby for his service; but stated that he believes it is time for a change: “I respect Senator Shelby for his decades of service, and, on behalf of the people of Alabama, I express my gratitude; however, the people across the nation and here in our beautiful state are waking up to the fact that it is time- time to send our career politicians home. It is time for a new generation of conservative leadership to step forward, to take the banner, to fight for our principles, and restore this great land of ours.”
Senator Richard Shelby, age 81, has represented Alabama in the US Senate since his election in 1986.
Shadrack McGill, age 40, lives with his wife Heather and their six children in Jackson County.
In addition to Shelby and McGill political newcomers: John Martin, Jonathan McConnell, and Marcus Bowman are also running as Republicans in the primary. Ron Crumpton and Charles Nana are running as Democrats. The winner of each major party primary will face off in the General Election next November.
