Conservation Alabama announced Thursday that the group is endorsing Russell Bedsole in the special Republican primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
“Conservation Alabama Action Fund is pleased to announce the endorsement of Russell Bedsole in the State House District 49 Special Election,” the group said in a statement.
Tammy Monistere is the executive director of the Conservation Alabama Action Fund.
“We need legislators in Montgomery who will prioritize public lands, clean water, and access to renewable energy,” said Monistere. “Bedsole’s experience as an Alabaster City Councilor coupled with his genuine appreciation for our state’s natural resources make him a prime candidate. We look forward to working with him at the State House.”
The special primary election will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4, to fill the seat left vacant when Rep. April Weaver, R-Briarfield, joined the Trump Administration.
House District 49 includes portions of Bibb, Chilton and Shelby Counties.
Conservation Alabama Action Fund describes itself as a non-partisan organization working to protect people and places in Alabama. The group shares information with elected officials and voters about conservation issues, and helps to elect legislators who share members’ conservation values.
Bedsole has 22 years of experience with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. He has also been elected twice by the citizens of Alabaster to represent Ward 5 on the Alabaster City Council.
Bedsole’s campaign said that during his time of service, Alabaster has benefited from positive economic growth, a first-class school system and a high quality of life.
Bedsole describes himself as a conservative Christian candidate, who “believes that life starts at conception, that the 2nd amendment should be protected, that our taxes need to be low and fair, and that our cities and counties need their fair share of infrastructure support.”
Bedsole says that he is dedicated to the service of the citizens of District 49 and standing up for conservative values and promised to make District 49 a great place to live for all of its citizens by working to improve District 49’s infrastructure and traffic flow, increased economic development, and advancing school systems.
In addition to Bedsole, Donna Strong, James Dean, Chuck Martin, Jackson McNeely, and Mimi Penhale are all running in the special Republican primary on Tuesday, August 4. If a Republican runoff election is needed, it will be held on Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2020.
The eventual Republican nominee will face Cheryl Patton in the special general election on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
The vacancy in House District 49 was created when State Representative April Weaver, R-Briarfield, announced her resignation to accept an appointment with the Trump administration as a regional director of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
House District 49 consists of portions of Bibb, Shelby and Chilton Counties. The winner will serve the remainder of April Weaver’s term which ends in late 2022.
