State Rep. Howard Sanderford (R-Huntsville) on Monday announced that he will not seek another term in the Alabama House of Representatives.
Sanderford, who assumed office after winning a special election in 1989, has served nearly 33 years in the legislature’s lower chamber.
“Representing the citizens of Huntsville and Madison County for almost 33 years has been the honor of a lifetime, but my heart tells me this is the time to step aside and allow someone else to take the reins of leadership,” said Sanderford. “I will leave the Legislature with the knowledge that Alabama is a better place to live, work, and raise a family than it was when I first took office more than three decades ago.”
Presently, Sanderford serves as chairman of the House Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Committee and co-chairs the Joint Legislative Sunset Committee.
The state representative recently passed House Bill 561 into law, which was designed to assist small businesses that require occupational licenses to better react to staffing shortages and other unexpected personnel issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sanderford also sits on the House Constitution, Campaign and Elections Committee, the Internal Affairs Committee, Technology and Research Committee, as well as the Madison County Legislation Committee.
He is chair of the Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement, which recognizes police officers around the state for their service. Additionally, he is a member of the Alabama Space Authority and has maintained consistent involvement in the House chamber’s annual NASA Day.
For over three decades, Sanderford has represented Alabama on the executive board of the Southern Legislative Conference, which is the premier public policy forum for the region’s state legislators. He is also a member of the Southern States Energy Board executive committee.
Prior to entering elected office, Sanderford was the manager of IBM’s General Systems Division in Huntsville before retiring in 1987. He would go on to launch and operate Computer Leasing Company, Inc.
Sanderford has served on numerous community-oriented boards throughout his career. This includes the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville Rotary Club, Volunteers of America of North Alabama, Metropolitan YMCA Board, Chamber of Commerce, United Way Corporate Giving Program, Boy Scout Creek District Finance Chairman, and the Alabama Management Improvement Program.
He formerly served for seven years as chairman of the Madison County Republican Executive Committee.
Sanderford is a graduate of Mississippi State University, where he holds a degree in accounting. Upon graduating college, he served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his service, he was a participant in the Beirut, Lebanon landing in 1958.
He is a member of the Marine Corps League, the Military Order of World Wars, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post 237 and the Military Officers Association of America.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
