APR recently spoke with state Representative Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, to discuss her platform and priorities ahead of the upcoming Democratic primary election where she will face challengers Alicia Escott Lumpkin and Nina Taylor.
Givan told APR that her policy priorities remain the same as they have been throughout her 16 years in the state legislature, with a focus on a wide array of issues from education to public safety and crime.
“The policy priorities remain the same,” Givan said. “I represent areas that are marginalized, areas that are often overlooked. The issues remain the same. Education and better educational systems. Not only just education, but making sure that we put enough adequate funding in place during the budget cycle for education throughout all of Jefferson County Schools, not just in the areas that I represent, because I represent a vast area … Public safety still remains an issue, not just in Birmingham, but all around.”
“I represent Birmingham, Fultondale, Graysville, Adamsville, Brookside, so this district covers a whole wide array of people from all different socioeconomic statuses,” Givan added. “For me, I’m going to continue to fight the good fight on those issues of the day. Human rights, social justice, criminal justice, criminal justice reform. Also, workforce development and growth.”
Givan also noted that she is focused on protecting voting rights, with the state legislature currently embroiled in a special session called by Governor Kay Ivey to potentially redraw the state’s voting maps in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Callais decision.
“Listen, these issues that we battle down here are serious, but then we get to the issues of our fundamental rights, no differently than where we are today,” Givan told APR. “Who would have ever thought we would be here in Montgomery fighting against the takeaway or attempted taking away of Black representation throughout the United States in Congress?”
“Those are the issues that we are plagued with that people don’t even see, those unexpected things–dealing with reapportionment, dealing with representation, and especially in communities such as those that I represent,” she continued. “We’re here now, as I just stated, for those purposes. So voting rights will remain a top concern and priority for me, and to do whatever I can do to continue to preserve voting, voting rights, and fairness in voting for those people who are of color, as well as those things that were in the 1965 Voting Rights Act that have brought us to this moment.”
When APR asked how her platform differs from those of her opponents, Givan claimed that Lumpkin and Taylor don’t have the legislative experience needed to understand the issues facing District 60.
“These people who are running against me don’t know their priorities,” Givan said. “They’ve never served in the legislature. And prior to them even signing up for this position to qualify, they haven’t even researched the Constitution [of Alabama], Section 71.01, that speaks to the role of a legislator, that speaks to what we do here.”
“Our main two priorities, as prescribed under the Constitution, is to pass a General Fund budget and an Education Trust Fund budget,” she continued. “But when you get outside of that, it also says that we are the only ones that can pass laws. Not that we have to pass laws, but that we can. So first of all, understanding the assignment. They don’t understand the assignment.”
Givan went on to claim that her opponents are “obsessed” with her because of the attention she has garnered as a prominent state legislator.
“All they’ve done is sat and tried to study me. They are totally obsessed with me. They’re obsessed and they’re possessed with the notion of me,” Givan said. “I have glamorized this position. I am the most noted legislator in the House of Representatives. House District 60 is the most talked about seat throughout the state of Alabama, bar none.”
Givan continued to tout her level of experience as a four-term incumbent, and emphasized that she is “unbossed and unbought” by special interests.
“So why is my perspective different? Because I understand what the job entails,” Givan said. “I understand that I am unbossed and unbought. I understand that when I came here, I didn’t come here to represent special interests. I came here to represent the people and whether anybody likes it or not, I’ve done a hell of a good job at doing it.”
Givan noted several of the actions she has taken as a member of the state legislature, including advocating against the closure of the Birmingham Water Works and Sewer Board, fighting against illegal ticket traps in the state, combatting domestic violence, and expanding the timeframe for Sunday liquor sales in Birmingham.
“That’s what I have done over the past 16 years: over 17 pieces of solo-sponsored legislation here in the state of Alabama,” Givan told APR. “I can’t be touched by even those who have been here before me, the most of any Democrat in the House of Representatives…So, am I different? Absolutely. Do [my opponents] understand the job? No, they don’t, but I do and that’s why the people will reelect me on May 19.”
When asked what she would say to voters who may be looking for change in District 60, Givan replied that she believes the voters in her district are more interested in the continuity that she will provide than the change her opponents advocate for.
“These people are looking for somebody who will represent them in House District 60 and who has been representing them in House District 60,” Givan told APR. “These people are looking for somebody who will continue to deliver those checks to those schools, who will continue to fight the good fight, who will continue to be their voice. I believe that at the end of the day, if somebody is looking for change, it certainly would not be with the two that are running against me.”
“I am the one that the people in District 60 want in Montgomery because I am going to point fingers. I am going to call out the doer of bad deeds,” Givan added. “So when you talk about change, I think the people of District 60 see the change in me every day when I’m fighting the issues that they need me to fight for them.”
Givan will face off against Lumpkin and Taylor in District 60’s Democratic primary on May 19.
