GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. — First-term state representative Wes Long recently announced that he will not seek re-election to his House District 27 seat. Today, Republican Will Ainsworth threw his hat in the ring to become Long’s successor.

Ainsworth operates a well known hunting and fishing lodge in Guntersville called Dream Ranch.

If elected, he says economic development and job creation would he his immediate focus.

“As a legislator, I will pledge to work with Gov. Robert Bentley and his team to recruit much needed jobs and industry to the Marshall County area,” Ainsworth said. “It’s no secret that our area is still suffering the effects of the economic downturn, and I believe that I have the energy, vision, and drive necessary to help bring some long overdue relief.”

Ainsworth also noted his desire to help protect the fundamental rights of Alabamians from continuing attacks by Democrats on the federal level.

“Since Obama has taken office, our gun rights, our religious freedoms, and even the fundamental right to life have been under constant assault,” he said. “I understand that the state legislature is the last line of defense against these attacks and can create roadblocks that prevent ObamaCare and other liberal policies from taking root here.”

Prior to founding Dream Ranch, Ainsworth was the full-time youth director at Albertville’s Grace Fellowship Church. In addition to the ranch, he also operates a commercial cattle farm.

Ainsworth is a co-founder of the Tennessee Valley Hunting and Fishing Expo, which he says has grown into one of the largest trade shows of its kind in the southeast, with more than 30,000 attendees annually.

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