Barnes kicks off bid for Congress

SHEFFIELD — Colbert County Commissioner Tommy Barnes is ready to travel the Fourth Congressional District in hopes of convincing voters he’s the person to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Barnes officially kicked off his run against incumbent U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt on Thursday in Sheffield, where he recently resigned from his position at Sheffield Utilities after 20 years.

“I did it in Sheffield because that’s where I grew up,” Barnes said. “My parents invested in Sheffield, had a business there.”

During his speech, Barnes recalled working as a cashier and at the soda fountain at Walgreens Drug Store, which in the 1970s was just down the street from the event center on Montgomery Avenue in downtown Sheffield.

“My dad taught me the value of hard work and serving others, and to this day I remember him and the importance of family,” Barnes said. “Sheffield City Schools prepared me for eventually getting my degree in chemical engi- neering.”

Barnes said he raised about $20,000 for his campaign during the event, which drew about 80 people to Sheffield’s Logan Room.

“We were very pleased,” Barnes said. “I had classmates from the past, business leaders and family there, a broad spectrum of people from Colbert and Lauderdale counties. One thing that’s helping me is they know me, and my background in public works and industry. Our unity in this campaign will bring us victory.”

Barnes said he will be discussing issues with voters throughout the district, which includes Franklin, Lauderdale, Colbert, Marion, Winston, Walker, Lamar, Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Cullman, Blount, Marshall and DeKalb counties.

Health care, including coverage for the less fortunate, and the fate of rural hospitals are issues he wants to address.

“I think rural hospital health care is very important,” Barnes said. “One thing is for sure, there are people struggling out there and we must help those that through no fault of their own need help, and seniors that are in health decline, there needs to be compassion and better medical care for them and all, especially in rural areas.”

Another issue he will be focusing on is congressional term limits, “It’s got to happen for the good of America,” Barnes said. “I have and will support our president and will work with our state leaders for Alabama’s share of federal dollars gong to the right projects.”

Barnes said he would only serve three two-year terms.

Barnes said he wants to see the Fourth District get a better return from its tax dollars, including improved infrastructure in the Shoals, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa, as well as counties in the eastern part of the district.

Barnes said he wants to enhance highway infrastructure in the 13-county district, including extending Interstate 565 to the Shoals and improved highway access to Tuscaloosa.

“We will protect our water quality while enhancing recreation and tourism in our region,” he said.

Schools, cities, counties and businesses need to have more local control of their funding, Barnes said.

Barnes said he believes he can appeal to a wide demographic of residents of the district, which will help him bring people together.

“As a Colbert County commissioner, I have worked hand in hand with elected officials here, in Montgomery, and in Washington,” Barnes said. “This interaction with elected officials and appointed officials in Washington has brought me to this place today.

“The voters will see and know who their representative is because of improvements that will occur because of need and true leadership.”