County Commission | The Magazine April 2018 | Page 15

FROM THE COVER
‘County Caucus’ going strong
heading into 2018 elections
C
ounty leaders are constantly
striving to establish
and maintain good working
relationships with legislators, over
time helping lawmakers gain a
better understanding of county
responsibilities and challenges.
Fortunately, there are some members
of the House and Senate with a
significant head start.
This group of county
commissioners turned legislators,
unofficially and affectionately known
as the “County Caucus,” numbers
an even dozen as the 2014-18
quadrennium comes to a close. But,
depending on the outcome of this
year’s elections, it could grow as large
as 20 members to begin the new term.
Any way the voters lean, there will
be new senators and representatives
in at least 36 of 140 seats when the
Alabama Legislature reconvenes next
year. Roughly half of these opportuni-
ties were created by incumbents who
have chosen to retire from public
service, and more than a dozen
openings were created by incumbents
pursuing other elected positions –
from governor to U.S. House of
Representatives to circuit judge.
At minimum, one out of every
four state legislative districts will
have new representation next year.
In many cases, current and former
county commissioners are making
their bids for the Statehouse.
There are five current county
commissioners running for the
Alabama House of Representatives
this year:
• Chambers Co. Commissioner
Debbie Wood – House District 38
(Chambers and Lee)
• Chilton Co. Commissioner Jimmie
Hardee – House District 42
(Autauga and Chilton)
• Montgomery Co. Commissioner
Dan Harris – House District 77
(Montgomery)
• Lee Co. Commissioner John
Andrew Harris and Russell Co.
Commissioner Ronnie Reed –
House District 83 (Lee
and Russell)
Wood, a past president of ACCA,
said her 16 years of commission
service have shaped her views of the
Legislature. Now, not only does she
know the process, she knows the
consequences.
“I would have had no idea that
the decisions made in Montgomery
directly affect the budget decisions
made by counties and municipalities
without being a commissioner,”
she said.
In House District 38, incumbent
Isaac Whorton is running for
circuit judge.
Wood is one of three
candidates vying for the GOP
nomination. “It’s time to stand
COUNTY COMMISSION | 15