January 18, 2009

(MONTGOMERY, AL) - An impressive group of Republican State Senators and Representatives as well as a number of local elected officials today announced the formation of a campaign group to support John McMillan’s candidacy for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries in the Republican Primary election.

Montgomery County Commissioner Reed Ingram welcomed the crowd to the endorsement event and announced the names of those who are supporting McMillan, some of whom were unable to attend because of other commitments.  After announcing the group and its objectives, Ingram spoke to the crowd about his personal motivation for the endorsement:

“I am honored to endorse John McMillan for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries and to help him in his campaign.  John is a man of the highest integrity and absolutely the right man for the job. As a second generation farmer, I understand the importance of agriculture to our state and the importance of John McMillan’s election in securing a sound agribusiness policy for Alabama.”

Ingram then announced the names of other elected officials who have signed on to support McMillan’s campaign:

State Senator Larry Dixon- Montgomery and Elmore Counties

State Senator Scott Beason- Blount, Jefferson and St. Clair Counties

State Senator Ben Brooks -Mobile County

State Senator Del Marsh -Calhoun and St. Clair Counties

State Senator Rusty Glover -Mobile County

State Senator Trip Pittman- Baldwin County

Representative Mac Gipson- Elmore and Autauga Counties

Representative Jay Love- Montgomery County

Representative Barry Mask- Elmore and Coosa Counties

Representative Greg Wren- Montgomery and Elmore Counties

Representative Steve McMillan- Baldwin County

Representative Chad Fincher- Mobile County

Representative Mike Hill- Shelby County

Representative Spencer Collier- Mobile County

Representative Micky Hammon- Limestone and Morgan Counties

Representative Warren Beck- Houston and Geneva Counties

Representative Randy Wood – Calhoun and St. Clair Counties

Representative Greg Canfield – Jefferson & Shelby Counties

Representative Mike Ball-Madison County

Representative Joe Faust – Baldwin County

Representative Jamie Ison – Mobile County

Representative Randy Davis – Baldwin and Mobile Counties

Representative Duwayne Bridges – Chambers and Lee Counties

Representative Harry Shiver – Baldwin, Escambia, Conecuh, and Monroe Counties

Representative Owen Drake – Jefferson and St. Clair Counties

Representative Jim McClendon – St. Clair and Shelby Counties

County Commissioner Dimitri Polizos- Montgomery County

County Commissioner Joe Faulk- Elmore County

County Commissioner David Bowen-Elmore County

County Commissioner Jay Thompson- Autauga County

Members of the group were uniformly enthusiastic about the idea of using their campaign expertise in support of a man with McMillan’s background and character and a number noted that this kind of support is almost unprecedented in Alabama.

State Representative Barry Mask said: “For this many elected officials to unite behind one man…well its almost unheard of.  I’ve known John McMillan for 30 years and am privileged to be putting my full support behind him in this race because he’s one of the finest men that I have known in my lifetime.  His life’s work has been centered around agriculture and when he is elected, we can be sure that farmers and property owners of our state will be well represented.”

Senator Larry Dixon of Montgomery said: “I served with John McMillan both in the Legislature and on the Governor’s cabinet and I know he will make an outstanding Commissioner of Agriculture.”

And Representative Jay Love talked of McMillan’s commitment to the highest level of food safety oversight: “John is absolutely dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality in the food and water we consume in Alabama.  I support him one hundred percent.”

John McMillan welcomed the support of the new group and assured them of his commitment to provide safe food and water to all the people of our state and, at the same time, reaffirming his pledge to protect Alabamian’s family farms.

McMillan talked of his own experience growing up in rural Alabama to illustrate his concern for the challenges our people face. “I grew up on a farm and I understand what it means to work hard for a living.  I also understand that tax dollars come from hard working people who expect them to be spent wisely” said McMillan “and when I’m Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries that is exactly the kind of leadership I will bring to the agency.”

McMillan concluded: “I am very honored to be here, today, and am grateful for the support and friendship of these great public servants who have joined us.  This is both a very humbling and a heart warming experience for me because these are all people with whom I have worked for many years and the people who perhaps know me best. As I listened to their kind words it occurred to me that this kind of event is just about unprecedented in Alabama and that makes me even more proud to have their support.  Now, before we leave, I want you all to know that I will always serve the people well and I will never betray the confidence you have placed in me.”

Commissioner Ingram concluded the event by announcing that future announcements will be made as additional members join the group.

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