U.S. Army veteran and former FBI special agent Kerry Straub earlier this week announced his intentions to seek the Republican nomination for the Alabama House of Representatives, District 10.
Straub holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, where he served in the ROTC program. He went on to earn a master’s degree from Auburn University at Montgomery.
In 1990, Straub entered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and left active military service eight years later at the rank of captain. He moved to the Tennessee Valley in 1998, where he began his career with the federal government.
According to a release, Straub served 21 years as a special agent and bomb technician with the FBI. He is currently employed as a cyber security engineer at Analytics performing cyber-based intelligence risk assessment and management for U.S. Department of Defense programs.
The seat Straub is seeking is currently held by State Rep. Mike Ball (R-Madison), who has decided to forgo reelection.
In announcing his candidacy, Straub suggested that his former leadership experience would be of benefit to the district should his candidacy prove successful.
“First and foremost, I want to thank my fellow LEO, Mike Ball, for his service, dedication, and leadership. No one can ever replace Mike Ball, the things he has achieved and accomplished for our district and state goes without saying,” Straub advised. “I decided to run because I want to make sure our district continues to have a seat at the table. I have spent my career and life serving the public, and now I want to bring that leadership and dedication to our state government.”
He continued, “We must continue to receive our fair share of funding for infrastructure, we continue to recruit jobs and that our economy continues to move in the right direction. My experience in law enforcement and public service has prepared me for this opportunity. I am proud to have served my nation and I will take this mind set to serve our state and the people of this District. Just as I have protected the people before I will protect our conservative values and morals.”
The candidate over the years has actively involved himself in community service-oriented organizations. These include the Young Life of Northern Alabama Committee, Character Foundation of Northern Alabama, Rotary Club of Madison, Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers, as well as the Huntsville-Madison EMA Board.
House District 10 includes portions of Madison County. The primary election will take place on May 24, 2022.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL