Bessemer businessman Brad Tompkins on Wednesday announced his bid to seek the Republican nomination for the Alabama House of Representatives, District 15.

House District 15 is currently occupied by State Rep. Allen Farley (R-McCalla), who is not seeking reelection.

Tompkins is the owner of engineering company Automated Solutions, Inc., which specializes in factory automation in Alabama.

In announcing the launch of his campaign, Tompkins indicated that he would be an advocate for economic growth and job creation as a member of the legislature’s lower chamber.

“I’ve never run for office before. This is not something I’ve been planning to do,” advised Tompkins. “But when I was approached and asked if I would consider serving in public service, I immediately knew that the time was right for me and my family to give back to our community.”

He added, “As a business owner and a member of the Bessemer Industrial Development Board, I’ve seen firsthand how the government can help or hinder economic growth. I want to put my experience in the private sector to work for the people of Jefferson and Shelby counties, specifically in the areas of workforce development and recruiting new jobs to our area.”

He further outlined the conservative principles to which he prescribes.

“I am a conservative. I believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. Capitalism and private enterprise create the greatest opportunity and the highest standard of living for all,” Tompkins proclaimed. “Free markets produce more economic growth, more jobs, and higher standards of living than those systems burdened by excessive government regulation.”

Tompkins went on to slam President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandates and asserted that he was “fed up” with what he referred to as “nonsense coming down from Washington, D.C.”

He concluded, “There is a liberal agenda being advanced nationwide and I’m going to make sure that we have conservatives representing us that understand how the economy works and will know how to push back against Biden’s unconstitutional overreaches.”

House District 15 includes portions of Shelby and Jefferson Counties. The Republican primary election will take place May 24, 2022.

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