Wednesday, the Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) announced endorsements for candidates in three races which will conclude in the June 21 runoff election.
Alabama Public Service Commissioner Chip Beeker
First elected in 2014, Beeker is seeking reelection to the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) Place 2.
The longtime AFA member is a former Greene County Commission chairman and previously served as a member of the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) state executive committee. Prior to his election to the PSC, Beeker owned and operated Beeker Catfish and Cattle Farms in Eutaw.
The conservative PSC commissioner’s reelection bid has been placed in the crosshairs of a prominent environmentalist and supporter of the national left’s climate agenda.
In a statement, Beeker pledged to continue his efforts to keep Alabama free from the national left’s energy policies in a third term of service on the state’s chief utility regulatory board.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Alabama Forestry Association, an industry that is so highly thought of in our state and contributes a great deal to our economy,” said Beeker. “It is my privilege to receive the forestry association’s trust as I continue my reelection effort. I will continue to work hard and fight for Alabama and keep DC policies out of our state.”
Keith Kelley, Senate District 12
Kelley is seeking election to Senate District 12, which encompasses Calhoun and Talladega Counties. The seat is currently held by retiring State Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston).
For nearly three decades, Kelley has served as president of Harris-McKay Realty. Kelley is a past president of the Alabama Association of Realtors and sat on the board of the National Association of Realtors.
Kelley expressed gratitude to AFA for its endorsement of his candidacy and noted that the timber industry was the “backbone” of Alabama’s economy.
“The Alabama Forestry Association represents the backbone of our state’s economy and I am honored to receive their endorsement,” said Kelley. “I will fight for Alabama’s land owners in the Alabama State Senate and will ensure the voices of these hard working families are represented. Alabama landowners want what most citizen’s want, lower taxes, less regulation, and someone that will fight for our conservative values.”
Robert Stewart, Senate District 23
Stewart, a Selma native, is running for Senate District 23, which covers Perry, Dallas, Lowndes, Wilcox, Clarke, Monroe, Butler and Conecuh Counties.
He is currently employed at Public Citizen and previously worked as the Black Belt Region outreach coordinator for U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham). Stewart holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Tuskegee University and a master’s of accounting degree from Kennesaw State University.
Should his candidacy for Senate District 23 prove successful, Stewart asserted that he would promote legislation that serves to benefit the state’s agricultural industry.
“We express our gratitude to the Alabama Forestry Association for their support,” conveyed Stewart. “The agriculture industry is a leading source of economic development in our state and when elected, we will ensure that the industry remains strong.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
