By Joseph M. Morgan
joseph@southerntorch.com
McGill kicks off U.S. Senate campaign
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Republican Shadrack McGill from Jackson County held a kickoff rally Tuesday for his U.S. Senate campaign outside the Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Scottsboro. McGill recently announced that he will be running against current U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby in 2016 to represent Alabama in Washington, D.C.
McGill told the crowd of supporters that conservatives across the state are enthusiastic about electing a proven conservative leader who can provide fresh perspective and strong leadership.
“The good people of this state believe that it is time to pass the baton to the next generation,” McGill said. “As a man once rated Alabama’s most conservative legislator I believe I am ready for this job. As a member of the Alabama State Senate I was relentless in protecting our Christian values and protecting freedoms. I was not focused on making friends or pleasing the political crowd. I rolled up my sleeves and did the job I was supposed to do.”
Shelby is the most senior legislator from Alabama’s 9-member U.S. legislative delegation to D.C. Many would say that he is also the most powerful and influential member of Alabama’s legislative delegation. His committee assignments include Appropriations, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and he serves as Chairman of the Rules and Administration Committee. He is also one of the most prolific fundraisers in U.S. Senate history. Shelby has a warchest with $24 million in campaign funds, all cash-on-hand.
McGill served in the Alabama Senate from 2010 to 2014, representing Alabama Senate District 8 that includes part of DeKalb County. His victory came amidst a tidal wave of unlikely GOP victories in 2010 that flipped control of the Alabama Legislature from Democrat to Republican for the first time in 156 years. McGill edged out his opponent, Democrat powerbroker and 28-year incumbent Sen. Lowell Barron, by less than 600 votes. Barron’s defeat made national news. As in his 2010 Alabama Senate race against Lowell Barron, McGill again faces almost insurmountable odds against U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby.
In addition to incumbent Sen. Richard Shelby, McGill will face Republicans Jonathan McConnell and John Martin in the 2016 Republican Primary. There are no democrats on the ballot, so the winner of the GOP primary will run in the general election in November unopposed.
