Friday, former state Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, announced that he was endorsing Walter “Walt” Maddox, the Mayor of Tuscaloosa, for Governor of Alabama.
“I know first-hand that Walt Maddox has what it takes,” Bedford said. “He has a proven record in Tuscaloosa and is a new fresh face we need in Montgomery. He has the knowledge, demeanor, and work ethic to make a difference and will make us proud to call him our governor.”
Mayor Maddox was grateful for the endorsement.
“As one of the longest serving state Senators in Alabama history, Roger Bedford is one of the most respected Democrats in this state and I am honored to have his endorsement,” Maddox said.
Bedford served decades in the Alabama legislature.
He served in the State Senate from 1982 to 1990 and again from 1994 to 2014. Bedford ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate for the seat vacated by Senator Howell Heflin. In 2014, Bedford narrowly lost re-election to Dr. Larry Stutts.
Maddox has been the Mayor of the City of Tuscaloosa since 2005.
The major party primaries are on June 5, 2018.
LBGTQ rights activist Chris Countryman, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, former State Representative James Fields, Doug “New Blue” Smith, Anthony White, and Maddox all qualified to run in the Democratic primary.
The last time a Democrat was elected Governor of Alabama was Don Siegelman in 1998.
