Stacy Lee George, a retired Alabama corrections officer, qualified Monday to run in the special election for State Senate district nine.
George has run for governor and sheriff but has only won twice, to the Morgan County Commission, serving two terms. He says he has a "real shot" for the senate seat previously held by State Sen. Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville), who resigned to work for the Business Council of Alabama.
George says his strategy will be "to be the voice of the taxpayers back home, not of the Montgomery politicians."
George faces State Reps. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab) and Brock Colvin (R-Albertville).
"These two incumbents will be fighting it out for support of the Montgomery special interests. Meanwhile, I will do the opposite. I will be the candidate who will question the special interests, who will be the candidate for accountability," he said Monday after qualifying at Alabama GOP headquarters in Hoover.
It will not be George's first time to oppose Montgomery interests. In 2016, he filed an ethics complaint against then-Gov. Robert Bentley. The commission ruled with George, finding probable cause that Bentley used his office for personal gain. Five days after George won the ruling, Bentley resigned and pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors.
George says he will use his experience as a corrections officer to make needed changes in the prison system.
"We spend more taxpayer money for each prisoner than we do for each school student," he outlined. "There is mismanagement and waste in the prison system, and I will lead the reform efforts."
"Prisoners who complete their sentences should come out with a plan to get a job and be a productive citizen. Instead, they are coming out as better-trained criminals. That needs to be reversed," George added.
"If either of the state representatives wins this race, it will require yet another special election at taxpayer expense to fill their house vacancy. Elected officials should not abandon the job they were elected to and seek another job, especially when special elections can cost over $200,000 to the taxpayers. A vote for Stacy George is a vote to stop playing musical chairs with political offices," he stated.
The deadline for qualifying with major political parties is Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. The deadline for all independent candidates minor parties is Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Senate District 9 represents portions of Blount, Madison, DeKalb and Marshall Counties.
Jim Zeigler is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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