Candidates gear up for Nov. 8 election
The Nov. 8 general election is quickly approaching, and 11 candidates are battling for legislative seats representing parts of the 280 Living coverage area at the federal and state level.
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, a Hoover resident who has represented Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District since 2014, faces Libertarian challenger Andria Chieffo, who works as an amnesty floor monitor at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Bessemer.
At the state level, four legislative seats representing parts of the 280 Living coverage area have competition in the general election.
In Senate District 15, incumbent Sen. Dan Roberts, a Republican from Mountain Brook, must overcome a challenge from Libertarian Michael Crump, who said he wants to ensure people can live their lives without government influence.
State Rep. Arnold Mooney, who represents House District 43 (which covers north Shelby County from Meadow Brook to Riverchase), is facing a challenge from Democrat Prince Cleveland and Libertarian Jason Burr, both of whom are running for office for the first time. Mooney and Burr live in Meadow Brook and Cleveland lives in Inverness.
In House District 45, which includes parts of north Shelby County, eastern Jefferson County and southwest St. Clair County, Republican Susan DuBose of Greystone faces Libertarian Kari Mitchell Whitaker of the Dunnavant Valley community.
The House District 48 race, which covers part of Greystone, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook and north Shelby County, features incumbent Rep. Jim Carns of Mountain Brook versus Libertarian Bruce Stutts of Vestavia Hills.
Also, Republican Erin Bell Welborn and Democrat Ashley Bell are seeking to become Shelby County’s next district court judge for Circuit 18, Place 1.
Here are bios on each of these candidates:
U.S. House DISTRICT 6
Name: Gary Palmer (I)
Party: Republican
Age: 68
Residence: Hoover
Political experience: Elected to U.S. Congress in 2014 representing Alabama’s 6th District
Professional experience: President of the Alabama Policy Institute for 24 years; worked in engineering, as well as with Focus on the Family
Civic experience: Rotary Club of Birmingham; member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church;
Education: Bachelor’s degree in operations management from University of Alabama in 1977
Main issues: Fiscal conservatism; reducing regulation; lowering energy costs; replacing the Affordable Care Act; protecting the life of the unborn
Website/social media: palmer.house.gov; Twitter @USRepGaryPalmer; Facebook: CongressmanGaryPalmer
Name: Andria Chieffo
Party: Libertarian
Main Issues: “Andria Chieffo is excited to provide a liberty-supporting option on the ballot for District 6, but is unable to devote herself to a full-time campaign at this time. Andria supports our state party’s planks and the planks of the national Libertarian Party,” from the Libertarian Party of Alabama’s Candidate Coordinator Angela Walser
Efforts to reach Andria Chieffo for bio information were unsuccessful by press time.
AL Senate DISTRICT 15
Name: Dan Roberts (I)
Party: Republican
Age: 64
Residence: Mountain Brook
Political experience: Elected in 2018 to the state Senate representing District 15
Professional experience: Real estate development, private equity and international trade
Civic experience: Elder, Briarwood Presbyterian Church; board member of Briarwood Christian School; chairman of Briarwood Ballet
Education: Master’s degree in real estate development and urban affairs from Georgia State University in 1985; bachelor’s degree in building science from Auburn University in 1980
Main issues: Tax reform; strengthening Alabama’s workforce; parental choice in education (sometimes called school choice); allowing businesses to compete, especially in the Southeast
Website/social media: danrobertsforsenate.com; Facebook: DanRoberts4StateSenate
Name: Michael Crump
Party: Libertarian
Age: 47
Residence: Mountain Brook
Political experience: Treasurer, Greater Birmingham Libertarians
Professional experience: Customer service for a blockchain cryptocurrency company
Civic experience: Past volunteer at Sidewalk Film Festival, various church events
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Herzing College
Main issues: Abolishing some government entities such as the IRS and ATF; ensuring citizens live their lives without government influence; pro-homeschooling; against all gun laws; would forfeit legislative pay for two years
Website/social media: LinkedIn: themichaelcrump
AL HOUSE DISTRICT 43
Name: Arnold Mooney (I)
Party: Republican
Age: 71
Residence: Meadow Brook
Political experience: Has represented House District 43 since 2014; unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 2020; staff assistant for U.S. Sen. James Allen in 1977; ran U.S. Sen. Albert Lee Smith’s campaign for U.S. Senate in 1984; was chairman of Alabama Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin’s campaigns for Alabama House District 43; managed U.S. Senate campaign of U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks in 2017; ran several other Alabama House and Senate campaigns
Professional experience: Worked over 40 years in commercial real estate; associate broker at Southeast Commercial Partners; former vice president for Colonial Properties Trust
Civic experience: Has served on Eagle Forum of Alabama board of directors; Workforce Investment Board 1999-2014, including chairman, vice chairman and finance chairman; former Meadow Brook Home Owners Association president; served as chairman of Unchartered Waters Sports Ministry; Fellowship of Christian Athletes board of directors and executive committee for north-central Alabama; involved in Briarwood Christian School capital campaigns, booster clubs and soccer program; has served as Meadow Brook Baptist Church deacon, personnel committee chairman and capital campaign chairman; Southern Seminary Foundation board of directors; led fundraising campaign for rugby stadium at Furman University; Monday Morning Quarterback Club member; St. Andrew’s Society past president; raised funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Alabama
Education: Master’s degree in history from Samford University in 1975; bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Samford University in 1973
Main issues: Fight against encroachment of the federal government; fight for limited government and low taxation; protect traditional family ideals, religious freedom, the right to bear arms and the life of unborn babies; promote free market health care without government interference; repeal common core standards and let local communities make curriculum decisions
Website/social media: arnoldmooney.com
Name: Prince Cleveland
Party: Democratic
Age: 41
Residence: Inverness
Political experience: First run for public office; member of Shelby County Democratic Executive Committee; worked on fundraising team for former state Sen. Kim Benefield in 2006
Professional experience: Content usage analyst for Ebsco Industries for past 8½ years; formerly worked as fundraising consultant for Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta for two years
Civic experience: Active member of New Hope Baptist Church; serves on UAB Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center Young Professionals Board, The Blackburn Institute Advisory Board, University of Alabama Community Affairs board of advisors and the American Legion Alabama Boys State Program; served on board of directors for Albert Schweitzer Fellowship of Alabama; active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; member of Alabama Leadership Initiative’s 2019 class
Education: Master’s degree in public administration from University of Alabama in 2006; bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Alabama in 2003
Main issues: Eliminate tax on groceries; take advantage of federal dollars to expand Medicaid; protect the Education Trust Fund, prioritize its revenue toward successful educational initiatives and invest in innovative educational resources; protect women’s right to make their own health care decisions
Website/social media: princeforalabama.com; Prince Cleveland for Alabama HD 43 on Facebook; #prince4alabama on Twitter; princeforalabama on Instagram
Name: Jason Burr
Party: Libertarian
Age: 47
Residence: Meadow Brook
Political experience: First run for public office
Professional experience: Currently delivers pizza for Domino’s; has also worked in pharmaceutical research, industrial food quality control, industrial paint coating and commercial truck driving
Civic experience: Habitat for Humanity volunteer; longtime member of First United Methodist Church in downtown Birmingham; has worked on mission projects in Costa Rica and Panama
Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Birmingham-Southern College in 1999
Main issues: Favors citizen initiative and referendum legislation to let the people vote on laws themselves if enough signatures to get issues on ballot; favors smaller government and fewer taxes; favors elimination of grocery tax and qualified immunity law that protects government officials and police officers from lawsuits; favors medical freedom for individuals; considers all gun laws a constitutional infringement
Website/social media: Jason Burr Alabama House District 43 on Facebook
AL HOUSE DISTRICT 45
Name: Susan Dubose
Party: Republican
Age: 59
Residence: Greystone
Political experience: First run for public office; president of Republican Women of North Shelby County; member of Shelby County Republican Party Executive Committee; has served as vice president of Greater Birmingham Republican Women; was alternate delegate to 2020 Republican National Convention; served on strike team for Donald Trump’s campaign in Florida
Professional experience: Worked as a residential, commercial and construction loan officer and business development officer for Compass Bank for more than 12 years before becoming stay-at-home mom in 1997
Civic experience: Government Affairs Committee and Women’s Business Council for Shelby County Chamber of Commerce; former president of American Heart Association’s Heart Guild; served as chairwoman of Heart Guild Ball, chairwoman of Distinguished Young Women of Shelby County scholarship program, board member of King’s Home Shelby Auxiliary, chairwoman of Daughters of American Revolution Caring for America Committee, board member of Greystone PTA, children’s Sunday school teacher and Vacation Bible School leader at Asbury United Methodist Church
Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance from University of South Alabama in 1985; master’s degree in business administration from Spring Hill College in 1990
Main issues: Would like to see more charter schools, more school choice options and increased focus on technical and vocational education options; leave teaching on gender issues and critical race theory to parents; give local control over curriculum decisions; maintain integrity of Alabama elections; protect people’s right to bear arms, keep government limited; protect people from government mandates like mask and vaccine mandates; create environment where businesses can grow and bring more jobs
Website/social media: susandubose.com; “Susan DuBose for State House District 45” on Facebook
Name: Kari Mitchell Whitaker
Party: Libertarian
Age: 44
Residence: Dunnavant Valley
Political experience: First run for public office
Professional experience: Worked in corporate communications for Ebsco Industries from 2002 to 2008 until becoming a stay-at-home mom and launching her own graphic design business, Launchpad Creatives
Civic experience: Active member of St John’s Anglican Church in Chelsea; former Girl Scout troop leader; assistant teacher of Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Lion Heart Academy
Education: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design from University of Montevallo in 2002
Main issues: Prevent new taxes and eliminate some current taxes and a lot of unnecessary spending; set two-term limit for state legislators; expand school choice options by tying education dollars to students and not schools; decriminalize cannabis; give every adult autonomy over their own body, including choice regarding vaccines, medical treatments and chemicals or plants ingested; support free markets; oppose governmental restrictions that favor large corporations; protect gun ownership rights while preventing high-risk people and known criminals from easily obtaining weapons; protect the environment; protect the unborn; get government out of marriage, but grant equal protections and privileges to all family units, regardless of sexual orientation
Website/social media: votewhitaker.org; “Whitaker Works for Alabama” on Facebook
AL House 48
Name: Bruce Stutts
Party: Libertarian
Age: 60
Residence: Vestavia Hills
Political experience: None
Professional experience: Compass Bank; Regions Bank; independent portfolio manager; college instructor for Huntington College Finance & Investment; BBVA/PNC Bank
Civic experience: Church of the Highlands
Education: Master’s degree in finance; bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and investments from the University of Alabama
Main issues: individual freedom; not limiting voters to major two parties; reduce taxes when possible; support smaller government
Name: Jim Carns
Party: Republican
Age: 82
Residence: Vestavia Hills
Political experience: State representative, 1990-2005; Jefferson County Commission, 2006-2010; state representative, 2012-present
Professional experience: Founder, American Metal Technology; founder, Modern Sales; vice president, Modern Handling Systems
Civic experience: Alabama Air National Guard veteran; board member, Youth Leadership Development Program; elder, Briarwood Presbyterian Church
Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering from University of Alabama in 1962
Main Issues: Protecting the life of the unborn; ensuring election integrity (pro-voter ID, voted to ban curbside voting); pro-Second Amendment; fiscal responsibility; supports vocational training; welfare reform; anti-vaccine mandate
Website/social media: electjimcarns.com; Facebook: RepJimCarns
Shelby County District Court Judge (Circuit 18) Place 1
Name: Erin Bell Welborn
Party: Republican
Residence: North Shelby County
Professional Experience: Solo attorney practice (2007-2015); managing partner of J. Welborn & Associates (2015-present)
Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2003); Juris Doctorate, Birmingham School of Law (2007)
Main Issues: “I have spent nearly my entire career working in the Juvenile Court as a practicing attorney representing parents, grandparents, children and as a guardian ad litem representing the best interests of children,” she said. “My experience has prepared me to provide an efficient, fair and honest court process for the children and families of Shelby County.”
Motto: Faith. Families. Fairness.
Website/social media: facebook.com/WelbornForJudge
Name: Ashley N. Bell
Party: Democrat
Residence: Chelsea
Professional Experience: Bell is a full-time practicing attorney in Alabama and is the founder of A. Bell Law Firm. As a practicing attorney, she has devoted her life to juvenile law, criminal defense, family law and domestic relations. She is licensed to practice in all Alabama state courts, as well as the federal courts in the Northern and Southern District of Alabama. Bell is also a licensed master’s level social worker.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in criminal Justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham; master’s degree in business management from Troy University-Montgomery; master's degree in social work from the University of Alabama; juris doctorate from Birmingham School of Law.
Main Issues: “As a voice for the voiceless, I take pride in knowing that, as district court judge, I am able to reach a greater number of people and to be the voice for Shelby County," Bell said. She said children are the future, and society must do everything within its reach to make sure our children have a future. She sid everyone has a voice, and that voice should be heard.
Motto: Faith. Family. Experience. Integrity.
Website/social media: ashleynbellforjudge.com.