Pro fisherman Randy Howell, of Guntersville, has endorsed Lew Burdette (R) for governor. Howell is a winner of the Bassmaster Classic and a 23-year veteran of tour-level competition.
“I was surprised and excited when Lew told me he is running for governor of this great state," Howell said. "I know first-hand about Lew's leadership, and he'll lead this state out of the dark ages. Check his website, LEWin22, and you'll be as amazed by his story as I was. He's a fighter. This state never needed a fighter like it needs one now.”
Howell has accumulated more than 45 Top 10 finishes and more than $2.2 million in winnings in his career as a professional fisherman. Howell is also a person of influence on social media with nearly a half-million social media friends and contacts. He and Burdette became friends 15 years ago when Howell joined the support of King's Home, a large nonprofit in Jefferson and Shelby Counties that serves abused and neglected women and children. Burdette is the president of the organization.
“I'm taking the fight to Montgomery," Burdette responded to the news of the endorsement. “I'm hungry for change. I want to get this state off the bottom, where it seems like we've been forever. National news media rank Alabama in the mid-to-low forties in every category that counts, including prisons, healthcare, education and political corruption. How long would a football coach last with that kind of record? Maybe a year. We wouldn't put up with a coach, why do we put up with that kind of government? Why do we continue to accept it?”
Howell has helped raise more than $1.2 million for King's Home through the annual giveaway of his tournament fishing boat.
Burdette recently participated in a gubernatorial debate in Huntsville, Alabama’s largest city.
Lindy Blanchard, Lew Burdette, Stacy George, Kay Ivey, Tim James, Donald Trent Jones, Dean Odle, Dave Thomas, and Dean Young are all running in the Republican primary for Governor on May 24.
Burdette is a businessman. He is challenging incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey (R).
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
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