By Scott Buttram
With speculation mounting that Arthur Payne will not seek re-election, Joe Freeman has announced he is considering a run for the House Seat 44, which Payne has occupied for more than three decades.
Freeman attended Clay Elementary and graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School in 1999 before attending Auburn University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science.
Freeman has worked extensively in finance, which he believes will help him in Montgomery, and is currently a director of the Capital Market Group with the firm of Crews and Associates.
“Passing budgets for the state general fund and the education trust fund is one of the most important functions of the legislature,” Freeman said. “I would love to take part of the process and help state government do what we all do — live within our means.”
Joe Freeman
submitted photo
Freeman, a longtime Republican, said he first became interested in politics while serving Payne as a page in the legislature in 1992.
“I believe it is going to take an energetic and outspoken person to continue to represent the people of Clay and Trussville when Arthur Payne retires and I believe I am that person,” Freeman said
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Freeman has served on several nonprofit boards, including Camp Smile-A-Mile and Ducks Unlimited. He was also appointed to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Board by the legislature earlier this year and is a member of the Rotary Club.
Freeman credits his parents, Jef and Regina Freeman, for teaching him to give back to the community and be involved, a lesson he says he took to heart.
“I was elected as state chairman of the College Republicans and have remained heavily active in the Republican Party,” Freeman said. “I continued my involvement after college by working for numerous Republican campaigns and serving on the Jefferson County Executive Committee for the Republican Party.”
Freeman believes his experience from participating with Alpha Gamma Rho, a national agricultural fraternity, in college and his experience from working on bond deals of more than $500 million in his current job will be helpful as he moves forward with his political career.
“I’m not a single issue guy or a lawyer, but I am a true conservative and a Trussville guy through and through,” Freeman said.
Freeman said he is consulting with a group of close friends, family and Republican activists and says he will make a final decision on the run in the next few weeks.
