By Heather Knight
Staff Writer
Among many responsibilities as an adult, voting is one of the most important. With 2020 being an election year, make sure you do your research on your candidates and know which one stands for what you are looking for. Here is some information on a few of your Republican candidates to get you started.
The Elmore County Statewide Republican Candidate Forum was held Tuesday January 14that the Elmore County Judicial Building in Wetumpka.
Among those in attendance were US Senate Candidates Bradley Byrne and Arnold Mooney, Congressional District 2 Representative Candidates Jeff Coleman, Troy King, Bob Rogers, Jessica Taylor and Barry Moore. Alabama Supreme Court, Alabama Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals and Public Service Commission Candidates were also in attendance.
In this debate style forum, the candidates were asked questions by Elmore County Scholarship Committee Chair, Karen Stewart.
The first question was directed to US Senate candidates Bryne and Moody. They were asked if there have been any issues involving President Trump’s policies in which they disagree.
Bryne said “I vote with President Trump 97% of the time. Someone asked me why I don’t vote 100% of the time, and I probably agree with him more than my wife agrees with me, but the main disagreements that the President and I have are about the spending bills the past couple of years. We must do something about the deficits in this country. In the good times, you have to be doing everything you can to reduce the deficit because in bad times it’s almost impossible to do that. “
When it was Mooney’s turn to answer he said that it’s easy to support a man that does what he says he will do. It’s not a question if you like someone, but have they kept their promises. He says Trump has done that. “I have been blessed to be endorsed by a bunch of people that are supporters of the President. You don’t bend to pressure. I won’t do that. I will be the same guy when I walk out of office as I was the day I walked in. We have to deal with debt. No doubt about it. It is going to destroy us. Without a fight every day for our constitutional rights and beliefs, we won’t make it.”
In closing remarks Mooney stated that we all have to make a decision about what is going on with our country. “As citizens, Americans and Alabamians, send to Washington the values we have.”
Bryne concluded, “There were three big values I was brought up with; if you see a wrong you right it, you work hard and don’t expect someone to give you anything and the third thing is to fear God. I don’t see those values in Washington right now. We have to stand up and fight for our values.”
Next up was Congressional Candidates for District 2.
In introductions Jeff Coleman was up first and said that he has three platforms. The first platform being economic development, which includes jobs and education. Secondly, military and veterans and lastly, agriculture and farming.
Bob Rogers said he would ensure that our military bases are adequately funded and that our veterans have physical and mental healthcare. “I also support our peanut farmers,” said Rogers.
Candidate Jessica Taylor said she has had enough of AOC (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) and her squad brainwashing the younger generations of this country. “We need a new generation of Conservatives that can go toe to toe with them and carry our Alabama values to the swamp and help President Trump drain it.”
Troy King, former Attorney General of Alabama, said he was fed up with what’s happening in Washington. “Everything we believe as Alabamians, they believe the opposite.” His children gave him the idea of running. They told him if he is so tired of them (Washington) then he should do something about it.
Barry Moore, former Alabama House of Representatives, said he is a Pro-life, Build the wall, no tax increase and a Conservative.
If you missed this event and would like to know more about your candidates, please attend the Wetumpka Tea Party Candidate Meet and Greet on January 21st from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Wetumpka Civic Center. There will also be Local Candidate Forum on February 6that 6 p.m. at the Elmore County Judicial Complex across from Tutwiler Prison.
Governor Kay Ivey will be the speaker for the 2020 Elmore County Republican Dinner. Click Here to purchase tickets.
