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Candidate speaks after stalker guilty plea, says courage will guide campaign

McInnis called the guilty plea justice, urged women to report harassment and stressed law enforcement’s role in protecting families.

Christina Woerner McInnis

Christina Woerner McInnis, candidate for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, has released a statement following the guilty plea of Clate Clark to stalking and harassment charges in Baldwin County.

For months, McInnis and her daughters were harassed and threatened by Clark, who created more than 27 fake profiles to target McInnis and other women online. The harassment escalated to implied threats of violence, prompting an investigation involving the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department, Orange Beach Police Department and the FBI.

Clark pleaded guilty Tuesday to stalking and harassment and has been sentenced to 90 days with stipulations. McInnis has also obtained a restraining order against him.

McInnis shared the following statement:

“Politics — the good, the bad… and the ugly. Today was ugly. What I’ve learned is that people want to see you smiling everywhere — but the truth is, I faced ugly early in politics.

“A predator threatened me and my children. And now I’ve learned he has done the same to many other women.

“I chose to protect my children — and hopefully prevent more victims. In Alabama, you cannot threaten others and walk away from it.

“Thank you for justice today. Thank you to all those that poured their talents and resources into the last couple months protecting and serving to assist me and my family. Anthony Lowery, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Orange Beach Police Department, FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation, and many others!”

McInnis said she hopes the case encourages other women facing harassment to come forward and reinforces the importance of law enforcement support in protecting families.

A businesswoman and farmer from Baldwin County, McInnis entered the 2026 race for commissioner of Agriculture and Industries earlier this year, positioning herself as an advocate for rural communities and family farms. She has emphasized modernizing Alabama agriculture, supporting agribusiness growth and ensuring the state’s farming sector is prepared for future challenges.

Her campaign has already attracted attention for its grassroots energy and focus on connecting with everyday farmers. McInnis has spoken openly about balancing politics with raising her daughters. Now, with this case behind her, she said the fight ahead is about more than a campaign — it’s about proving that courage, family and justice still matter in Alabama politics.

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Bill Britt is editor-in-chief at the Alabama Political Reporter and host of The Voice of Alabama Politics. You can email him at [email protected].

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