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In the Republican primary this May, five candidates in total mounted campaigns for Alabama state House District 13, with former chairman of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce Matt Woods ultimately securing the nomination.
Woods, the son and grandson of coal miners from South Walker County, won the nomination by over half the vote, besting a slate of impressive candidates that included Walker County Commissioner and leader of the county Republican party, Keith Davis. Woods previously spent four years as a board of trustee member with the Alabama Community College System.
“I believe my community involvement and being in business for over 35 years had a positive impact in the race,” Woods said in responses to questions posed by APR last week. “We also had a robust grassroots campaign effort and the best group of volunteers I could have ever hoped for. I am a political outsider, small business owner, conservative Christian, and family man. All things that I believe served me well in the campaign. Being in a business where I get to talk to people from every walk of life gives me a good perspective on what the real issues are that the people around here are facing. I think that helped me relate to voters during the campaign.”
District 13 has been occupied by State Rep. Connie Rowe, R-Jasper, since 2014. Rowe announced last year that she would not seek another term, later accepting an appointment with the Alabama Lieutenant Governor’s office. Woods said that when he heard about the vacancy, he began considering a run for the seat.
“I have always enjoyed being part of groups or organizations that work to improve the quality of life for other people,” Woods said. “Once I heard that our former representative, Connie Rowe, was vacating the seat, I began to think that I might be able to make a difference in that position. My wife and I took a few weeks to think through what would be involved and how it would affect our family and my time at work. I had never been involved in politics or run for any office, but after prayer and discussions with my family and close friends, I decided to run and never looked back.”
Woods’ Legislative priorities include economic and workforce development, along with being “an effective voice for families” by supporting reforms to the adoption process in the state.
“With record inflation, Alabama families are having to make difficult decisions regarding their finances,” Woods said. “We are looking at a record budget surplus and we must take a fiscally conservative approach to how those tax dollars are allocated. I would like to see Alabama make meaningful strides to improve the adoption process so families can afford to adopt and not have to wait years to finalize adoptions.”
Continued support for broadband expansion and reform for mental health are also issues Woods wants to address.
” There are so many needs in Walker County and across the state,” Woods said. “I will look for common sense solutions that address these needs.”
The Alabama Legislature is expected to begin the 2023 regular session this upcoming March.
