Incumbent State Senator Andrew Jones, R-Centre, announced that he will seek re-election for a second term representing Cherokee, Etowah and Dekalb Counties.
Jones will hold campaign launch events in both Etowah and Cherokee Counties on May 25 and June 3. Jones is the Chair of the Children, Youth, and Human Services Committee in the Senate.
“We’ve accomplished a lot in the last 2 1⁄2 years,” Jones said. “I ran for the State Senate because I had seen first-hand as a business owner and farmer how government impacts hardworking Alabamians. I have worked hard to be the people’s voice in the Alabama Senate and bring much-needed resources back to the people of Etowah, Cherokee, and DeKalb.”
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, offered his support for Jones’ reelection bid.
“Senator Jones has quickly learned to navigate the ins and outs of the Alabama Senate,” Reed said. “He is known by his colleagues as a capable and effective Senator who will do whatever it takes to fight for his district. Andrew is not afraid to take bold, decisive action to meet the challenges our state faces.”
Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield, R-Guntersville, similarly praised Jones.
“Andrew has been a key voice in our Republican caucus for conservatives policies to improve the lives of everyday Alabamians,” Scofield said. “Senator Jones is a champion for his local folks, but at the same time he has also won the respect of his colleagues. He has the full support of our caucus in his reelection effort.”
Jones was elected to the Alabama Senate in his first run for public office. Jones campaigned on economic development, infrastructure improvement, education, and protecting Alabama values. Jones said that progress has been made on all fronts.
“During my campaign, I talked about three infrastructure projects in my district,” Jones said. “The U.S. 411 expansion project between Etowah and Cherokee Counties is currently underway, which is a $43 million project. We also recently secured $2 million for the engineering design of the I-759 Eastern Connector, and we are working with local leaders on multiple applications for funding for the Southside Bridge project. Last year, that same application made it to the final round.”
Jones also pointed to a $2.7 million investment at the Etowah County Little Canoe Creek Megasite through the Growing Alabama Tax Credit Program, an investment which was made possible through an amendment that Jones negotiated to prioritize megasite properties over 1000 acres.
Jones has also supported broadband expansion, incentives for small businesses, and workforce training efforts in the Senate, as well as education initiatives to expand pre-K, provide teacher raises, and recruit math and science teachers. Jones also said that he has backed pro-life legislation, election security measures and Second Amendment protection bills.
Jones has also authored legislation to support the military, incentivize adoptions, promote small farm wineries, and repeal the grocery tax, among various other causes. Locally, Jones says that he has helped lead the effort to combat a proposed rendering facility in Gadsden, a cause supported by upwards of 9000 Etowah county residents. Jones also led an effort to repeal occupational taxes in five Etowah County municipalities. In 2020, voters approved a local constitutional amendment sponsored by Jones to designate surplus prison food funds for law enforcement purposes, including school resource officers.
Jones has been criticized by some conservatives for his controversial votes to raise gas taxes and to legalize casino gambling in the state of Alabama.
State Senate District 10, like all of the state’s legislative, congressional, and state school board districts, has to be redistricted and reapportioned before the 2022 election.
Also, it has become almost customary for any redistricting in Alabama to get challenged in federal court. Thus district 10 could look significantly different in 2022 than it does today. This makes planning for the election a year from now particularly challenging.
The 2022 Republican and Democratic primary elections will be held on May 24, 2022. The primary runoff will be held, if necessary, on June 21, 2022. The general election will be held on Nov. 8, 2022.
