Jasper Police Department detective Lt. Matt Dozier has announced his bid to seek the Republican nomination for the Alabama House of Representatives, District 13.

House District 13 will become vacant as current officeholder State Rep. Connie Rowe (R-Jasper) will soon leave the legislature to become senior advisor to Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth.

Dozier holds 18 years of experience in law enforcement as a detective and police officer. Throughout his career, he has specialized in homicide investigation, crime scene investigation, as well as interview and interrogation.

The candidate is an active member of the International Homicide Investigators Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, Leadership Walker County and the Alabama Farmers Federation. Dozier also sits on the advisory board for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama.

Dozier expressed his opposition to what he referred to as “bad” prison and criminal justice reform bills, saying that such measures “put Alabama at risk” and “tie the hands” of law enforcement personnel.

“I have spent my life fighting to serve and protect our communities as a Detective and police officer, and I’m ready to take that fight to Montgomery to serve and protect as your State Representative,” declared Dozier. “I want to protect honest, hardworking citizens from government overreach, support our Nurses and Educators, and fight the Liberal agenda by RE-FUNDING the police and all public safety. I support our American right to bear arms and will stand against any new taxing of items of necessity.”

House District 13 includes Blount and Walker Counties. The primary election will occur on May 24, 2022.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL