By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
In 2010, Republicans targeted the Democratic Majority in the Alabama Senate. In most of those races the GOP was supremely successful; but they did not win every Senate district where they had targeted the Democratic incumbent. One of those seats was in Alabama Senate District 22 where Democratic State Senator Mark Keahey from Grove Hill fought off his Republican challenger, Danny B. Joyner.
Republicans are hoping that in 2014 they benefit from an improving state economy, a fractured Alabama Democratic Party that has moved steadily to the left on social and economic issues, and Republican controlled redistricting in Senate District 22. On Thursday, Stephen Sexton announced that he was running for the Republican nomination in District 22.
Stephen Sexton is a retired US Army Major. Major Sexton said in a written statement, “After much prayer and conversation with my family I know that now is the time for me to run for Alabama Senate District 22. It is time to focus on positive, forward reaching answers to the problems facing Alabama. Now is the time for all of Southwest Alabama to be the location for economic development, job growth, educational advancements that ensure students are job ready, family and community commitment based on conservative values.”
Sexton continued, “I have had the privilege and honor of serving 20 years in the US Army from Bosnia, to Iraq, Germany and South Korea. I know what leadership looks like and what it takes to lead. District 22 has the infrastructure that industry is looking for. We have railroads, waterways, interstate highways and seaport. Real leadership sees economic opportunities, works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, corporate leaders and develops a plan to bring growth to the district.”
Sexton said, “Southwest Alabama has lost jobs to overseas factories paying below minimum wages and outsourcing. This district needs a senator that will reach out to the business leaders and industrial corporations, bringing the best jobs available to Alabama, jobs that will get folks off food stamps and off the unemployment line.”
Sexton said that he is, “Pro God, Pro Family, Pro Life and Pro Gun Rights. A member of the NRA, American Legion, VFW and the Baldwin County Republican Executive Committee.”
The Army veteran served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Operations Chaplain for the 8th Theater Sustainment Command and has been awarded: the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals, and other honors for his service.
Major Stephen Sexton has been married to his wife Brenda White of Brewton for 34 years. They have two children, Johnathan and Crystal and two grandchildren.
Sexton will face Danny B. Joyner in the Republican Primary on June 3, 2014. Joyner has twice run for the State Senate unsuccessfully, most recently in 2010 when he received 19,939 votes to Keahey’s 24,785. The winner of the Republican Primary will likely face incumbent Mark Keahey in the November 2014 General Election.
