Retired Army colonel and former Huntsville police sergeant Rick Pressnell is outlining his campaign for Alabama House District 2, citing a desire for stronger representation and a focus on healthcare, economic policy and environmental protection.
Pressnell, a Democrat, said his decision to run comes from what he sees as a lack of visibility and engagement from current leadership.
“I’m running because I think I can be a better representative than we have now,” Pressnell said. “Most people don’t even know who he is, and I think I represent a lot more people in the district.”
As part of his campaign, Pressnell is pledging to donate $500 from his legislative salary to local charities and service organizations, saying even modest contributions can have a meaningful impact.
“I’ve asked around, and $500 can make a big difference for some of these organizations,” he said.
Pressnell brings a background in both military and law enforcement service. He retired as a colonel after serving in the Army’s Title 10 program and previously worked as a sergeant and investigator with the Huntsville Police Department. He returned to active duty during his career in the reserves before retiring from the military in 2017.
In outlining his priorities, Pressnell pointed first to healthcare, calling access and affordability one of the most pressing challenges facing District 2.
“The suffering is immense when it comes to healthcare,” he said. “Some people have good insurance, but others don’t have any. If they get hurt, they can’t work, and sometimes they lose their jobs because of it.”
Pressnell supports expanding Medicaid, arguing it would not only improve access to care but also provide an economic boost.
“It wouldn’t solve all the problems, but it would alleviate a lot of it,” he said, adding that expansion could create jobs and help keep rural hospitals open.
He also voiced support for establishing a state lottery, pointing to neighboring states that already offer one.
“Tennessee, Georgia, Florida all have lotteries, and that money is leaving Alabama,” Pressnell said. “Is Alabama an island of piety here, while our money is flowing to other states to support their education systems?”
Environmental concerns, particularly water quality, round out his top priorities. Pressnell has been involved with the Tennessee Riverkeeper organization and said protecting waterways is critical as the region continues to grow.
“Our drinking water comes from these rivers,” he said. “It’s treated, but there are limits, and sometimes those limits are exceeded. We have to keep an eye on that.”
Pressnell said his approach to legislation will be guided by constitutional principles and a focus on individual freedom.
“You have to look at whether something is constitutional and whether it actually makes people’s lives better,” he said. “I’m willing to work with anybody and look at all sides before making a decision.”
