Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Durant on Monday announced that his campaign this week will launch an “Alabama First” tour in an effort to bring his message directly to voters across the state.

A first time candidate for public office, Durant thus far has centered his campaign’s messaging around him being a “political outsider.” In his bid to replace the retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), Durant is running on what he refers to as his “real-world experience” as a military veteran and business owner.

The “Black Hawk Down” U.S. Army aviator and Huntsville defense contractor has placed an emphasis on targeting President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates, an issue which polling has indicated to be of importance to the Republican base.

According to a release from his campaign, Durant’s “Alabama First” tour will see the candidate continue to speak on halting vaccine mandates, protecting constitutional rights and taking aim at “career politicians.”

In announcing his campaign’s tour, Durant stated his intentions to take his outsider’s message directly to the grassroots.

“In Washington, career politicians who have never had a real job make awful decisions that hurt middle-class families and small businesses in Alabama,” proclaimed Durant. “I’m running for Senate to change that. We need leaders with the real-world experience to get the job done.”

He concluded, “Like President Trump, I’m a political outsider. I’ve spent my life defending our country and building a successful business. I look forward to traveling around our state and talking with Alabamians who are ready for new leadership in Washington.”

Durant on Tuesday will officially qualify to appear on the Alabama Republican Party ballot as a candidate for the open U.S. Senate seat at the party’s Birmingham headquarters.

The primary election is scheduled to occur on May 24, 2022.

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