Strong vying for house of representatives spot

Dr. Donna Strong, a veteran educator with 31 years of teaching experience at the middle, high school and college levels, recently announced her candidacy for the House District 49 position. 

The vacancy was created when State Representative April Weaver announced her resignation shortly before the end of the legislative session. She had held the position since 2010. 

Strong is a Republican candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives for District 49, serving portions of Shelby, Bibb, and Chilton Counties. Strong hopes to bring her educational knowledge and leadership to the political arena in Montgomery. She currently teaches science at Oak Mountain High School. Married to Russell Strong, a retired Navy Veteran and history teacher, the couple have raised three children.

When asked why she is running for this office, Strong says “Like all candidates, I want to see a better Alabama, but public education is the driving force for my candidacy. Most Alabamians don’t realize the degree to which politics controls our public education system. When everything from class sizes, curriculum programs, school calendars, lunchroom menus, educator salaries, and standardized testing are legislatively mandated, public schooling is largely dictated by career politicians who have never walked in a teacher, bus driver or cafeteria worker’s shoes. In fact, educators are actually prohibited from serving in the Alabama House and Senate so I will have to leave my teaching career to serve in Montgomery.”   

Strong wants to cut wasteful spending and see curricula implemented that will help all students learn to think critically, communicate clearly and solve problems in their everyday lives now and for their future.  

She believes health and safety resources should be significantly enhanced for students.  

“Educators at all grade levels have seen an increase in the number of students who come to school with mental health or behavioral problems. Learning is just too challenging when children are depressed, scared or angry. Every school should have a trained resource officer, a qualified nurse and easy access to mental health professionals," she said.  

For more information, visit VoteDrStrong.org.  

Five others have qualified to run for this spot include Russell Bedsole, James Dean, Chuck Martin, Jackson McNeely and Mimi Penhale.

The Primary Election for Republican candidates will be Tuesday, August 4. If necessary, a Runoff Election will be held on Tuesday, September 1. The General Election will be Tuesday, November 17.