By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Thursday, February 4, the Republican Women of Trussville (RWOT) held a forum for the candidates running for US Senate in the March 1 Republican Primary.
Former State Senator Shadrack McGill (R-Woodville) said that he is 40 years old and has been married to his wife, Heather for 16 years.
McGill joked, I believe in the rapture. I hope it’s coming real soon so we won’t have to fix this mess that we are in. “I started out as a businessman. I had a machine shop for 11 years.” Then my pastor asked me to help with the Roby Moore campaign for governor. That was my political beginning.
McGill said, “The Church has backed out of politics. The Church needs to make local government the new mission field.”
Eventually McGill said that he challenged incumbent State Senator Lowell Baron (D-Fyffe). Baron ran a very nasty campaign. He sent strippers to my house. A gambling lobbyist offered me a $20,000 contract if I would drop out. A couple who leased a building from me sued me for a $ million. A just released convict rammed a truck into a building that Shadrack owned. “We raised very little money.” “God, He gave us the victory with a lot of effort. I served one term. I believed in term limits.”
McGill said that he, “Felt God called me back to serve another term,” this time in the US Senate.
Sen. McGill said, “I would appreciate your consideration.” “I don’t think anyone is happy with the direction this country is headed.” “In 2013 I was voted most conservative senator in the senate.”
McGill said that he appreciated the role that women play in the political process. When he was in the Senate six times more women than men came advocating for their issues. The guys just aren’t as involved.
Shadrack McGill, age 40, lives with his wife Heather and their six children in Jackson County.
Marcus Bowman also is running for the US Senate. Bowman said, “There is a reason why there are four senate challengers running against this incumbent.”
Bowman said that, “There is recognition that something needs to be done in Washington, DC” “It is time to pray about what needs to be done in America.” “The incumbent (Richard Shelby) is 9 and 0 in elections. He is a good quality man and he is a good conservative; but it is time to do something new.”
Bowman said, “I am about the right age to go to Washington. I am 42. Paul Ryan is 45.” I have a degree in Finance.”
“We have a 15 percent Congressional approval rating in Washington.” It is time to do something different. “Pray and make an educated decision before you cast your vote.”
John Martin is also running for US Senate. He sent his daughter, Hannah Martin, to be his stand in at the forum.
Miss Hannah said, “I am John Martin’s daughter.” He served in the Army as an Airborne Ranger. He served three tours in Iraq and is very passionate about this country.
Hannah said that she asked him why he wants to go to the Senate, “He told me it is not to be in Washington it is not for power or for the glory of office it is for you and your kids.”
Hannah said that her father really wants to make a difference.
Jonathan McConnell also had a scheduling issue, but he sent Campaign Spokeswoman and former Yellow Hammer News editor, Elizabeth Beshears to speak in his place.
Mrs. Beshears said that Jonathan McConnell is a Marine Captain turned businessman. He graduated from the University of Auburn, served two tours in Iraq, then went to Law School at the University of Alabama.
Beshears said that when Somali pirates were in the news attacking shipping, while still in law school, McConnell started this business to protect shipping from pirates off of the Coast of Africa by putting former U.S. military veterans on the ships. There is also some piracy in the Gulf of Mexico where guards are needed.
Beshears said that McConnell was raised as a conservative Christian. “If we are going to change our Congress and our Senate we are going to need people like Jonathan McConnell.”
Senator Richard Shelby, age 81, has represented Alabama in the US Senate since his election in 1986.
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.
The Primary is on March 1.
