The Alabama Farmers Federation has announced 10 new endorsements for the upcoming election.
Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville
Sen. Shay Shelnutt represents Senate District 17, which covers all or portions of Blount, Jefferson and St. Clair counties.
“Sen. Shelnutt does an exceptional job for the people of this district,” said Dr. Stevan Parsons, president of the Jefferson County Farmers Federation. “He is a hard-working member of the Senate, and we look forward to seeing him continue his good work.”
Shelnutt received his B.S. degree in finance and his master’s degree in education from the University of Montevallo. He has taught and coached at the high school level. He also taught at Jefferson State Community College. He presently works in real estate and business development.
Shelnutt participates in numerous local civic and charitable organizations.
“It is an honor to receive the endorsement of the Alabama Farmers Federation,” said Shelnutt. “I am excited about continuing to represent this district’s farmers and all the constituents in District 17.”
James Lomax, R-Huntsville
James Lomax is running for Alabama House District 20, which is in Madison County. The seat is being vacated by the retirement of Rep. Howard Sanderford.
“James Lomax is an outstanding young man who has been a civic leader in our community and will take his leadership skills to Montgomery to best represent us,” said Charles Butler, president of the Madison County Farmers Federation. “We expect great things out of him.”
Lomax has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a master’s degree from the College of Leadership and Public Service at Lipscomb University. He is past president of the Rotaract Club of Huntsville and a member of the Huntsville Rotary Club.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Farmers Federation and commit to studying and addressing their issues in the Legislature,” said Lomax. “I will work equally as hard for them as I will all the constituents of District 20.”
Patrick Johnson, R-Decatur
Patrick Johnson is running for Alabama House District 4, which covers portions of Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties. The seat is currently held by Parker Moore, who won the seat in a special election.
“Patrick Johnson is a businessman through and through, and he will represent us well in Montgomery,” said Mark Byrd, president of the Morgan County Farmers Federation. “We expect great things out of him because he is such a hard worker and persistent person.”
Johnson graduated from the University of North Alabama in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in history and biology and a minor in geography. He is a lifelong resident of Morgan County, being raised on a family farm that still operates today. He currently resides in Decatur, Alabama, where he owns and operates multiple small businesses in the area with his wife.
Johnson started his own State Farm office in Decatur over 10 years ago. While growing his business and being a member of the community, he became involved in numerous civic groups, various leadership roles and charitable activities. He has served on multiple community boards and non-profit organizations. He has also served in leadership roles such as the chairman of the board for the Decatur-Morgan Chamber of Commerce and president of the Decatur Kiwanis Club.
“I am honored to receive this endorsement and will work hard to represent the farmers and all the citizens and businesses of House District 4,” Johnson said, “I appreciate the level of confidence they have placed in me and will not take it lightly.”
Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham
Sen. Rodger Smitherman represents Alabama Senate District 18, which is in Jefferson County.
“Sen. Smitherman has long been a leader in the Alabama Senate,” said Dr. Stevan Parsons, Jefferson County Farmers Federation president. “He works hard to represent the people of Senate District 18, so we are proud to endorse his reelection efforts.”
Smitherman received his B.S. degree from the University of Montevallo and his J.D. degree from the Miles College School of Law.
Smitherman participates in multiple civic and charitable organizations throughout his district, especially those dealing with youth, sports and senior citizens.
“I am honored to have the endorsement of Alabama’s farmers,” said Smitherman. “I look forward to continuing my work with them to promote our state’s most valuable resources.”
Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville
Rep. Rex Reynolds for Alabama House District 21, which is in Madison County.
“Rep. Reynolds has extensive experience at all levels of public service ,and he will use that experience to continue to represent the people of District 21 well,” said Charles Butler, president of the Madison County Farmers Federation.
Reynolds received his master’s degree in Public Safety and Justice Administration from Auburn University at Montgomery. He served as Huntsville’s Police Chief, first Public Safety Director and City Administrator before retiring in 2013.
Reynolds serves on the boards of Partnership for a Drug Free Community, Crime Stoppers, the Boys and Girls Clubs and the Madison County Alternative Sentencing.
“It is always an honor to receive the endorsement of the Alabama Farmers Federation,” said Reynolds. “We share the same conservative values, and I look forward to working with them.”
Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville
Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter for Alabama House District 24, which is in DeKalb County.
“Nathaniel Ledbetter is a proven conservative leader who knows the issues facing farmers and is willing to address them,” said David Bailey, president of the DeKalb County Farmers Federation. “He has worked hard to represent our interests in the Legislature, and we have no doubt he will continue to do so.”
Ledbetter was elected by his peers in the House of Representatives to serve as Majority Leader. He is a member of the DeKalb County Tourism Board and the Northeast Alabama Agri-business Center.
“I am honored to receive this endorsement and will work hard to represent the farmers and all the citizens and businesses of House District 24,” Ledbetter said. “I appreciate their continued support and the confidence they have placed in me.”
Rep. Corley Ellis, R-Columbiana
Rep. Corley Ellis for Alabama House District 41, which is in Shelby County.
“Rep. Ellis is a faithful public servant to this district,” said John DeLoach, president of the Shelby County Farmers Federation. “He is an outstanding representative for our farmers, and we look forward to working with him over the next four years.”
Ellis received his B.S. degree in business and his Master’s in business administration from Auburn University. Prior to serving in the Legislature, Ellis served as a Shelby County commissioner with two years as commission chairman. He presently owns Ellis Properties Inc., a real estate brokerage firm.
Throughout the years, Ellis has served on numerous professional and non-profit boards including the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Leadership Shelby County and the American Cancer Society.
“I am humbled and honored to receive the endorsement of the Farmers Federation,” said Ellis. “We share the same conservative values, and I look forward to continuing to represent them and carry their voices in Montgomery to best serve them.”
Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg
Rep. Ginny Shaver for Alabama House District 39, which is in portions of Cherokee and Dekalb counties.
“Rep. Ginny Shaver serves on the agriculture committee, so she knows the needs of our farmers and is willing to help us when we need her,” said John Bert East, president of the Cherokee County Farmers Federation. “She is an experienced public servant who knows how to get things done.”
Shaver attended Gadsden State Community College and Chattahoochee Valley Community College, majoring in accounting and computer science. She continued her education at Jacksonville State University.
Shaver is a Certified Municipal Clerk and has 17 years of experience in municipal government. She was employed by the City of Gadsden and served as the town clerk for Leesburg. Prior to that, she owned Shaver Tax and Bookkeeping for 10 years.
“It is always an honor to receive the endorsement of the Famers Federation,” said Shaver. “They are hard-working people. I share their work ethic and will use it to best represent their needs.”
Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden
Rep. David Standridge for Alabama House District 34, which is in Blount County.
“Rep. Standridge has represented this county in four different levels of service, and he will use that same leadership to continue to represent us well in the House of Representatives,” said Blount County Farmers Federation President Jeff Maze.
Standridge received a degree from Wallace State College and a B.S. degree from Athens State University (summa cum laude). He also attended the FBI National Academy.
Standridge previously served on the Blount County Board of Education, as probate judge and as chairman of the Blount County Commission. He is a retired captain from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office where he served 21 years.
“I am humbled to receive the endorsement of such a fine organization in our state,” said Standridge. “I share their values and look forward to working hard to ensure a state government that is conservative in nature.”
Sen. Billy Beasley, R-Clayton
Sen. Billy Beasley for Senate District 28, which covers all of Barbour, Bullock, Henry and Macon counties as well as portions of Houston and Russell counties.
“Sen. Beasley is a friend to farmers, and we are proud to support his reelection bid,” said Mike Dunn, president of the Bullock County Farmers Federation. “He is a man of his word, and we are honored to have him represent us in Montgomery.”
Beasley received his B.S. degree in pharmacy from Auburn University. He served in the United States Army, Medical Service Corp. from January 1964 through January 1967.
He is active in his community and his district, serving as past president of both the Alabama Pharmaceutical Association and the Clayton Rotary Club.
“It is an honor to receive the endorsement of Alabama farmers,” said Beasley. “It will be my honor to continue to represent them, their needs and the needs of all my constituents in District 28.”
