The Alabama Farmers Federation announced Thursday its endorsement of three Republican candidates for the Baldwin County Commission. They are Richard Cox, District 1; Angelo Fermo, District 2; and John “Tater” Harris, District 4.
“These are outstanding candidates who have invested their careers, personal lives and professional time in Baldwin County. They have a vested interest in our future,” said Hope Cassebaum, president of the Baldwin County Farmers Federation. “They all have a heart for Baldwin County along with a strong work ethic, proven leadership skills and management experience needed to move Baldwin County forward.”
Cox is a lifelong resident of Stockton. He graduated from Baldwin County High School then studied at Faulkner State (now Coastal Community) College and Auburn University before joining the 482nd Army Reserve in Foley.
Cox is a timber dealer, logger and land management professional. He is a member of the Baldwin County Baptist Disaster Relief Team, Farm Services Agency county committee, Forestry Planning Committee and Baldwin County Farmers Federation, where he served as past chairman of the Forestry Committee. He previously served as a board member for both the Wheelin’ Sportsmen and Alabama TREASURE Forest Association.
He and his wife, Wendy, have been married for 48 years, and share two sons and three grandchildren. They attend First Baptist Church of Bay Minette.
Fermo is a first-generation college graduate who received his B.S. in criminal justice and his master’s degree in education. He retired after 21 years in law enforcement as a special agent working for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
He is a member of Knights of Columbus, the Federal Law Enforcement Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Silent Knight anti-human trafficking organization and a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association. He is also a past board member of the Children’s Rescue Initiative.
Fermo and his wife, Ashlee, share four sons and one grandson. They are members of Christ the King Parrish.
Harris is a small businessowner and former certified construction manager. He has lived in Baldwin County for over 14 years. Harris has managed multi-million-dollar projects which have provided him with knowledge of budgeting, permitting and infrastructure developments. He also owns and operates Gulf Coast Rental Company and is a well-known civic and community leader.
Harris is chairman of the Orange Beach Public Safety Committee and a board member for the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber.
He and his wife, Sarah, have one son. They attend Island Church in Orange Beach.
The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state’s largest farm organization with more than 360,000 member families – 11,678 in Baldwin County alone. The Farmers Federation uses a grassroots approach to select candidates, relying on Alabama FarmPAC recommendations from county Farmers Federation boards of directors for local elections.
