By Brandon Moseley
The Alabama Farmers Federation announced another round of state legislative endorsements for the 2022 election.
The Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed State Sen. Arthur Orr (R) for Alabama Senate District 3, which encompasses all of Morgan County as well as parts of southeastern Limestone County and southwestern Madison County.
“Sen. Orr is a business leader and outstanding member of our community,” said Mark Byrd, president of the Morgan County Farmers Federation. “His strong leadership has served us well at home and in Montgomery. We need him representing us again in the Alabama Senate.”
“I am honored to have the Alabama Farmers Federation endorsement and look forward to continuing to work hard for our farmers and all the people of this district,” Orr said.
Orr received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forrest University and his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is executive vice president of Cook’s Pest Control. He is the Chairman of the powerful Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee.
The Alabama Farmers Federation also endorsed incumbent State Sen. Tim Melson (R) for Alabama Senate District 1, which covers portions of Lauderdale, Limestone and Madison counties.
“Sen. Melson has been a strong voice for us in Montgomery,” said Jeff Peek, president of the Limestone County Farmers Federation. “He is one of us and understands our needs and will represent them well in Montgomery.”
“I am both humbled and honored to have the endorsement of the Alabama Farmers Federation and look forward to serving them and all the people of Senate District 1 in the Alabama Senate,” Melson said.
Melson received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Alabama and his medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He served as chief of anesthesia at Helen Keller Hospital for 15 years. In addition to his duties as owner of Shoals Medical Trials, Melson owns and operates a crop farm, owns 70 acres of timber, and is a hobbyist cattleman.
Melson is a member of the Medical Association of Alabama, the American Society of Anesthesiology and the National Rifle Association. Melson sponsored successful legislation during the 2021 Alabama regular legislative session that made Alabama the 38th state to legalize medical cannabis.
Also on the list of endorsements from the Alabama Farmer's Federation is incumbent State Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R) for Alabama Senate District 16, which covers portions of Jefferson and Shelby counties.
“Sen. Waggoner has been a strong advocate for us in the State Senate,” said Dr. Stevan Parsons, president of the Jefferson County Farmers Federation. “We know he will continue his hard work and dedication to our cause and our district.”
“It is an honor to receive this endorsement, and I will continue to work hard to represent the farmers and businesses of my district,” Waggoner said. “I am honored to have their continued support. It means a great deal to me.”
Waggoner is Chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Birmingham Southern College and his law degree from the Birmingham School of Law. Waggoner was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1966. He was elected to the Senate in 1990. James Thomas “Jabo” Waggoner was born Jan. 8, 1937.
The Alabama Farmers Federation endorsed incumbent State Sen. Sam Givhan (R) for Alabama Senate District 7, which is in Madison County.
“Sen. Givhan understands the importance of farming in Alabama and will work hard to ensure our best interests are met in Montgomery,” said Bill Mullins, FarmPAC chairman of the Madison County Farmers Federation. “He has been a farmer and a businessman, both, so he will continue to represent all of our district’s needs in the Senate.”
“It is an honor to have the Alabama Farmers Federation’s support,” said Givhan. “I share their conservative values and will work hard for the farmers and all the people of District 7 to ensure they are well-represented in the Alabama Senate.”
Givhan received his B.S. degree in Finance from Auburn University and his J.D. degree from The University of Alabama School of Law. He is employed by Wilmer and Lee Attorneys at Law in Huntsville.
The Alabama Farmers Federation also endorsed incumbent State Rep. Debbie Wood (R) for Alabama House District 38, which covers portions of Lee and Chambers counties.
“Rep. Wood is a legislator who will represent the needs of farmers and all her constituents,” said Jamie Lazenby, president of the Lee County Farmers Federation. “She has a strong work ethic and is a strong conservative.”
“It is a great honor to receive the endorsement of the Farmers Federation,” said Wood. “They are hardworking people, and I strongly believe in their work ethic, principles and ideals.”
Wood received her bachelor of science at Faulkner University and has been a small businesswoman, owning and operating Century 21 Wood Real Estate in Valley for years.
Wood is involved in many civic and charitable organizations in her district. As a breast cancer survivor, she is an advocate for early detection and screening for breast cancer survivors, as well as post-treatment support.
The Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed incumbent Sen. Steve Livingston (R) for Alabama Senate District 8, which covers DeKalb and Jackson counties as well as east Madison County and parts of south Huntsville.
“Sen. Livingston has done an excellent job for us in Montgomery, and he appreciates the needs of farmers,” said David Bailey, president of the DeKalb County Farmers Federation. “We know he will continue to work hard for us in the Senate to represent our entire district well.”
“It is an honor to receive this endorsement, and I will continue to work hard to represent the farmers and businesses of my district,” Livingston said. “I am honored to have their continued support. It means a great deal to me.”
Livingston graduated from the University of Alabama and has been a Jackson County businessman for 25 years.
Finally, the Alabama Farmers Federation endorsed incumbent State Rep. Danny Crawford (R) for Alabama House District 5, which is in Limestone County.
“Rep. Crawford has done an excellent job as Chairman of the Agriculture and Forestry Committee in the House,” said Jeff Peek, president of the Limestone County Farmers Federation. “He is one of us, and he knows the needs of the agricultural community. We know he will continue to do a good job for us in Montgomery and at home.”
“It is always a great honor to receive the endorsement of hard-working people like our farmers,” said Crawford. “I share their beliefs, work ethic, values and ideals, and I will represent them and all the people of District 5 to the best of my ability.”
Crawford received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn University. He currently works as an independent crop insurance contractor.
Crawford has been active in the Limestone County community serving as a past member of the Civitan, Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. He is also a member of the National Rifle Association.
The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state’s largest farm organization with more than 340,000 members. It uses a true grassroots approach to select candidates, relying on FarmPAC endorsements from county Federation boards for local elections.
