The Alabama Farmers Federation on Thursday announced a string of statewide election endorsements.
Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville, received the federation’s endorsement for Alabama House District 69, which covers portions of Autauga, Lowndes and Montgomery counties.
The former mayor of Hayneville, Lawrence president of Kelvin Developing Company and owns and operates several Subway sandwich restaurants.
“It is humbling to receive the endorsement of the Farmers Federation of this county and our state,” Lawrence said in a statement. “They are a conservative group of people who work hard to help improve our state, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to do the same.
For House District 72 the federation endorsed Rep. Ralph Howard, D-Greensboro, a U.S. Marine who received a bachelors degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama. House District 72 covers Greene and Hale counties and portions of Bibb and Tuscaloosa counties.
“It is humbling to receive the endorsement of our farmers,” Howard said in a statement. “We share the same work ethic, and I look forward to working alongside them to serve the people of District 72.”
“We are pleased with Rep. Howard’s service to our district and his representation of agriculture,” Dickie Odom, Greene County Farmers Federation president said in a statement. “We are proud to support him in his reelection campaign because he represents us well.”
Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia, received an endorsement in the Senate District 40 race. Jones is a practicing attorney and municipal court judge in Andalusia.
“It is an honor to receive the endorsement of the farmers of this district,” Jones said in a statement. “We share the same conservative values and strong work ethic, and I look forward to serving them and all the people of Senate District 31.”
Senate District 40 covers portions of Coffee, Covington, Dale and Pike counties.
“Rep. Mike Jones has been an excellent leader for us in the House of Representatives, and we have no doubt that he will be in the Senate too,” Ashley Kelley, Covington County Farmers Federation president, said in a statement. “He is a strong conservative leader, and we need him representing us in Montgomery.”
In the Senate District 11 race the federation has endorsed Lance Bell, a practicing attorney in Pell City and chair of the 3rd Congressional District State Executive Committee for the Alabama Republican Party.
“I am honored and humbled to receive the Farmers Federation endorsement in District 11,” Bell said. “They are conservative people of like mind, and I look forward to working with them.”
“Lance Bell is a great candidate, and we are proud to support him in this race,” John DeLoach, Shelby County Farmers Federation president, said in a statement. “He will do an outstanding job for us in Montgomery and make sure our concerns as farmers are addressed.”
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Dr. David Cole received an endorsement for Alabama House District 10, which is in Madison County. Cole is the medical director of Occupational Health Group and served in the Army for 22 years as an Army surgeon in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“I look forward to working with the farmers of this district and all our citizens as we strive to move District 10 forward,” Cole said. “There are great things we can and will do to improve our government.”
Donna Givens received the endorsement for Alabama House District 64 in Baldwin County. Givens retired after 47 years with Baldwin Electric Membership Corporation, and was chairman of the South Baldwin Hospital and was appointed to numerous local and statewide boards by multiple governors.
“I am humbled to receive the endorsement of the Farmers Federation,” Givens said. “I share their conservative values and look forward to working with them and all the people of HD 64.”
In the Alabama House District 95 race the federation has endorsed Frances Holk-Jones, an insurance agent and co-founder and chairperson of the Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation fostering “Peer Helpers” in 605 schools where they support young people with life’s day-to-day struggles.
“It is a special honor to receive the endorsement of our farmers,” Holk-Jones said. “It will be an even bigger honor to represent them, small businesses and all the people of HD 95 in south Baldwin County.”
Matt Woods received the endorsement for Alabama House District 13 in Walker County. Woods is an owner in the family business, Jasper Auto Sales. Woods is the past-chairman and executive committee member of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and serves as a board of trustee member with the Walker College Foundation and was appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to serve on the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees.
“The Farmers Federation is an outstanding group of people,” Woods said. “I share their conservative values and look forward to being a voice for agriculture and business in Montgomery.”
