House Candidates Applaud Bibb County Sheriff's Party Swap

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

Bibb County Sheriff Keith Hannah has already made a splash in his short time as a Republican.  Jim McClain, President of the Alabaster City Council and Republican candidate for Alabama House of Representatives District 49 (which includes Bibb County) has released a statement regarding Hannah's switch.

"Another former Democrat has seen the light and switched parties to become a member of the G.O.P.  We welcome Bibb County Sheriff Keith Hannah to the Republican Party.  It appears that Sheriff Hannah, like so many other conservatives, can no longer call himself a Democrat in good conscience," explained McClain.

It should be noted, however, that Keith Hannah has not, in any public record familiar to the Centreville Press, identified himself as a conservative. There are many Republicans who do not consider themselves conservatives just as many Democrats do not consider themselves liberal.

Bibb County Republican Party Chairman, Bob Jamison explained Hannah’s decision to swap parties did not exactly line up with McClain’s coming to “the light” comment.  “Keith and I talked for many months before he made the decision to change parties.  Sheriff Hannah basically told me his views seemed to be more in line with what our party believes in,” Jamison suggested.

Local Republican candidate, April Weaver, who is also running for Alabama House of Representatives District 49, also released a statement regarding Hannah's switch.  "Sheriff Hannah has been a close friend to me and my family for over twenty years.  He and I have been talking for several months about him switching parties and becoming a member of the GOP.  I am delighted that he has made the switch and look forward to working with him on his bid for reelection," said Weaver.

"The Democratic Party has fallen out of favor with conservative and mainstream Americans for a reason.  Like a failed field goal attempt, Democrats have veered wide left in their policies by taxing and regulating the middle class with legislation like health care reform, cap and trade, and outrageous corporate bailouts.  And the Democratic leadership in Alabama has also drifted off course with its backroom deals and pandering to powerful special interests, leaving behind the will of the people," McClain expressed.

Weaver is currently ahead of McClain in campaign contributions.  Both candidates are vying for the Republican nomination of a spot vacated by the very popular Cam Ward (R), currently running for a State Senate seat vacated by Hank Erwin (R), currently running for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama.  In a recent press release it was revealed Weaver raised $29,860 in contributions while McClain's contributions totaled $7,350.

"I am so blessed to have such great community support and to have a wonderful grassroots campaign team behind me that played a very large role in raising the most money for my race," Weaver expressed.

"I feel good about my contributions so far.  As time goes on, other entities' interest will grow, and they will start lining up to support me," concluded McClain.

 * Photo - Bibb County Republican Executive Committee members pose with former Democrat turned Republican Bibb County Sheriff Keith Hannah.  The popular Sheriff made the official decision just weeks ago.  In a statement to the press Hannah explained, “This decision was something I thought about for a while.  There are different reasons but this was the best thing for me.”  (L to R) Bibb County Commissioner Al Green, Bibb County Republican Chairman Bob Jamison, Bibb County Sheriff Keith Hannah, Bibb County Probate Judge Jerry Pow, Bibb County Board of Education Official Mike Oakley, and Republican candidate for House of Representatives District 49, April Weaver.