The Daily Sentinel | Blackwell announces run for senate
Blackwell announces run for senate
By Lindsay Slater | The Daily Sentinel | February 12, 2013
At the monthly Republican breakfast Saturday in Fort Payne, John Blackwell announced he will be running for the 8th district senate seat, currently held by Sen. Shadrack McGill, R- Macedonia.
Blackwell is a partner with Inkana Healthcare Development in Birmingham.
He gave a brief introduction of himself after announcing his intent to run. Blackwell said he has served as chief financial officer to two Alabama universities and to the city of Huntsville.
He is also a member of the Auburn University Board of Trustees and serves as a development officer for the Auburn College of Sciences and Mathematics.
“I believe I have extensive knowledge that would benefit the people of this district,” Blackwell said. “I look forward to getting to know everyone.”
Blackwell is the second announced challenger for McGill. Democrat Horace Clemmons, of Paint Rock, also plans to run. Clemmons is a former Jackson County commissioner.
In other business at the meeting, Alabama Republican Party Chaplain John Killian served as guest speaker.
He delivered a brief history on the state Republican and Democratic parties.
Killian also talked about the 2014 general election, in which governor, lieutentant governor and attorney general, among others, will be up for a vote.
“I believe we’ll have a strong ticket in 2014,” Killian said.
He said he believes the country is trying to “lunge toward socialism” and that “a government that puts power in one place is going to run amok.”
“Our system works beautifully when it’s working right,” Killian said. “We have to remember, we got our liberty from God. He made us a free people.”
Killian said it’s important to increase the number of black citizens who vote for the Republican party.
“We can win more of their votes by simply telling the truth,” Killian said. “They’ve just always been told their party is the Democratic party”
He gave nods to U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, for his “great leadership” and also to McGill, who Killian said is his “kind of conservative.”
He said there is hope for a better future in the state and the country.
“There is hope for Alabama,” Killian said. “And, America is worth saving. The best avenue is working with and through the Alabama Republican Party.”
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