Campaign kick-off held for Bedford
State Sen. Roger Bedford greets Franklin County Circuit Judge Terry Dempsey at Bedford’s campaign kick-off dinner Thursday night in Russellville.
State Sen. Roger Bedford looked around the A.W. Todd Centre in downtown Russellville Thursday night and couldn’t help but smile at the room full of family, friends, and supporters who showed up to officially kick-off his 2014 re-election campaign.
“I am a very blessed man,” Bedford said. “I appreciate each person who came out to show their support for me, and all of the phone calls and messages I have received the last few days.
“Serving these people and working hard for them is something I have been honored to do, and I hope it’s something the people in my district will give me the honor to continue to do.”
The kick-off campaign dinner and gathering was hosted by many of Bedford local friends and supporters who have endorsed Bedford in his upcoming bid for re-election.
“It is a great honor to have served with Roger Bedford since 1990,” State Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow said.
“One thing about Roger is that he will do what he tells you he’ll do. He’s hardworking, gets involved, and it’s always in the best interest of the people he represents.”
Bedford has served Alabama’s District 6 continuously since 1994, but due to redistricting that was approved by the Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature in May 2012, District 6 looks very different than it did during the last campaign season.
In Franklin County, the new Senate district lines will have little effect physically as the entire county will still remain part of District 6, which will continue to be represented by Bedford.
However, instead of District 6 including Fayette, Lamar, Marion and Winston counties, Bedford will be representing all of Colbert County, half of Marion County and portions of southwest Lauderdale County including Waterloo.
Bedford said while he was sad to part ways with constituents he has worked for and with for many years, he was proud to be representing his new constituents as well.
“I am honored to represent Colbert County and parts of Lauderdale County, as well as continuing to represent Franklin County and parts of Marion County,” Bedford said.
“There are challenges still ahead and new challenges our district will face, and I want to continue to work hard for these people in Northwest Alabama.”
Bedford spoke briefly at Thursday night’s gathering about some of the issues that he feels are important to the people of Alabama that plans to address in the upcoming legislative session.
“I am proud of our teachers and our education system in Alabama, but they have flat been under attack, and I think that’s wrong,” Bedford said.
“Our education system is important and I am thankful for institutions like Northwest-Shoals Community College, the University of North Alabama, and our career technical schools.
“The more we learn, the more we can earn – whether it’s a skill or academics, whether it’s welding or banking – and these institutions can help us do that. We need to support our educators and our education system.”
Bedford also discussed the infrastructure improvements across the district and his interest in continuing to make more improvements.
“I think Northwest Alabama deserves to have the best,” Bedford said.
“Improvements in infrastructure lead to great strides in economic development, which I’m proud to say has been outstanding in our area in 2013.
“We haven’t let party lines get in the way of creating 1,000 new jobs in our senate district by this spring.
“I don’t believe in raising taxes – I believe in putting more people to work.”
Bedford also addressed his concerns over Gov. Robert Bentley’s opposition to expanding Medicaid in Alabama.
“Alabama is leading the nation in many areas in the medical field, but we’re facing challenges now,” Bedford said.
“Medicaid is important to our people and it is important to our rural hospitals. And it could create 30,000 new jobs over the next for years if it’s rolled out in our state. This is something I want to fight for.”
