By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville native Joe Freeman announced this week that he is in the race for the Alabama House of Representatives seat that will be left open by Rep. Arthur Payne’s retirement in 2014.
“It’s going to take a big guy to fill the shoes of Rep. Payne, and I’m that guy,” Freeman said. “I want to represent the people of District 44 in Montgomery.”
Freeman attended Clay Elementary School before graduating from Hewitt-Trussville High School in 1999. He has worked in public and corporate finance since graduating from Auburn University.
Among many Republican groups, Freeman is known as someone who will take a hard stand on issues that are at the core of conservative values.
“The Republican Party has made great strides in the past few years in Alabama. We must have strong conservative leaders to continue to move this state forward,” he said.
Freeman was elected as state chairman of the College Republicans, served on the State Republican Steering Committee, worked on numerous Republican campaigns and is currently serving on the Jefferson County Executive Committee for the Republican Party.
Freeman said he believes the relationships forged by his party involvement and public finance work will greatly benefit the district.
“It helps to have a current and working relationship with people in the Governor’s Office, Alabama Department of Commerce and other members of the legislature when working on projects for the district,” he said.
Freeman said economic development is an area he feels he can make the greatest impact.
“Our district is ripe for large economic development projects,” he said. “There is no reason the Trussville, Clay and Pinson area shouldn’t be on the top of the list for state level recruiters.”
Freeman is currently director of the Capital Markets Group with Crews & Associates. His platform of “making public funds public” falls on the heels of Jefferson County exiting bankruptcy. Freeman said legislation needs to be passed to prevent the fraud and corruption of Jefferson County sewer bond deals from happening again.
“It needs to be known that in Alabama, if you’re going to do a bond issue and handle taxpayer money, you better play by the rules,” he said.
Freeman said it will take someone who’s passionate about the conservative cause and the district to keep the area moving forward.
“Arthur Payne instilled that passion in me 20 years ago when I served as a page in the House of Representatives,” Freeman said. “I could think of no greater honor than to have the opportunity to serve the people of District 44.”
Trussville City Board of Education member Danny Garrett announced earlier this year he will also run for the seat.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.