Will Ainsworth’s campaign for lieutenant governor got a boost on Tuesday from several endorsements by public officials from Mobile and Baldwin counties.
State Representative Will Ainsworth (R- Guntersville) is running in the July 17 Republican runoff for Lt. Gov. against Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh.
Ainsworth held a news conference on Thursday night at the World War II battleship: U.S.S. Alabama.
Among those announcing their public support for Ainsworth were Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran; Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack; State Representative David Sessions of Grand Bay, who chairs the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee; and State Rep. Jack Williams of Wilmer.
“I’m humbled by the confidence each of these public officials has placed in me by putting their names and reputations beside mine,” Ainsworth said. “During my time in the House, I supported the Gulf Coast 100% of the time, and I voted to keep the BP settlement funds where they rightly belonged. South Alabama will continue to have my support as lieutenant governor.”
“I look forward to Will being successful in his bid for lieutenant governor,” Rep. Sessions said. “It was a pleasure to serve with Will on the House Agriculture Committee. I know two things about Will Ainsworth – he is a good family man, and he believes in doing what is right.”
Sessions is running against Tom Holmes (D) in the general election for state Senate District 35.
“Will’s State House office is right next to mine, and I know he supported us all the way through with the BP funding and helped us get what we got.” State Rep. Jack Williams (R – Wilmer).
Williams recently won the Republican nomination for state Senate District 34. He has no general election opponent.
“I’m proud to stand here with my friend, Will Ainsworth,” said Sheriff Sam Cochran (R). “I’ve worked with him in the Legislature, and I know he is a strong supporter of law enforcement. He’s an honest man, and I know he will continue to support us in Mobile County and Baldwin County.”
Sheriff Cochran is running for another term as Sheriff of Mobile County. He has no general election opponent.
“When the Alabama Sheriffs’ Association met in January, Will walked in the room and said, ‘I’m here to not only ask for your vote but to offer my support to the sheriffs of Alabama,’ and that means a lot to the 67 sheriffs in our state,” said Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack. Since that time, I’ve come to know him as a committed Christian conservative, and I am excited he is in the runoff.”
“Hoss” Mack has been the Sheriff of Baldwin County since 2007.
South Alabama is especially important because that is where state Senator Rusty Glover (R-Semmes) was strongest. Glover carried Mobile County but finished third statewide, missing the runoff.
Sen. Glover is the most sought after endorsement in this race but he told WKRG Channel 5 TV that he will not endorse either Ainsworth or Cavanaugh.
“You know I had people that came to me after the election that told me ‘I don’t know who you are but I voted for you because you didn’t have any politicians endorsing you,’” Glover said. “I took that to heart. I had some people tell me don’t endorse people it will not help you. As an elected official I think your word is the most important thing you have no value to the constituents.” Glover said that endorsements can make enemies out of peo6,ple he still wants to work with on different issues.
The Republican runoff will be on July 17,The eventual Republican nominee will face Shoals area pastor Dr. Will Boyd (D) in the general election on November 6.
