Retired Air Force officer and former Colbert County Republican Party Chairman Fred Joly recently kicked off his campaign for Alabama House of Representatives for District 3.
Joly describes himself, “As a true conservative who believes in limited government and less taxation and regulation.”
Joly says that if elected he “Intends to support small businesses, increase tourism, and protect our fundamentals rights ... (and) “Also hopes to help reach our ever-increasing infrastructure needs. Improving infrastructure will lead to greater internet access for students and more business development for creating higher paying jobs. Better roads and bridges will also make it easier on our first responders to serve our citizens.
“God has blessed the Shoals with an abundance of resources, and it would be my honor and privilege to represent you,” Joly said. "My wife Linda and I look forward to meeting each of you on the campaign trail.”
Joly is a native of Colbert County. He currently lives in Muscle Shoals. Joly joined the Air Force in 1969 and retired as a major in 1994 with more than 20 years of service. After leaving the service, Joly has worked as an industrial hygienist/safety officer, a testing agent and ADEM compliance officer for a Geological Testing company, and as a groundskeeper and master gardener at Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller.
Joly earned a bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of North Alabama and a master’s degree in Human Resources from Houston Baptist University. Joly participates in several civic organizations. He is a member of the American Legion Post 31, where he and others on the Color Guard provide Honor Funerals for Veterans.
After returning home, became active in the Colbert County Republican Party and shortly thereafter was appointed as an Executive member. He was appointed and served seven years on the Colbert County Board of Registrars. In 2014, = Joly challenged a 24-year Democrat incumbent, one of the first to challenge the traditional Democratic hold on Colbert County. In 2014, he was elected as the Chairman of the Colbert County Republican Party. During his tenure, Joly worked to change the political landscape of Colbert County, electing 11 Republicans to office, and serving on the Alabama Republican State Executive Committee. He was appointed by the Colbert County Probate Judge to serve as an Election Poll Inspector and was appointed by Alabama State Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Sheffield) to serve on the Colbert County Community Development Commission. In 2020, he was elected as an alternate to the Republican National Committee.
Joly and Kerry “Bubba” Underwood are competing in the May 24 Republican primary for the HD3 seat being vacated by State Rep. Andrew Sorrell (R-Muscle Shoals). Sorrell is a candidate for State Auditor.
No Democrat qualified in HD3, so the winner of the GOP primary likely will be uncontested in Nov.
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