HUNTSVILLE — With a large crowd of area movers and shakers backing him, John Roberts made a statement to launch his campaign for Alabama State Senate District 2.
Roberts laid out his vision for the future of North Alabama and the state as a whole, citing infrastructure, affordability, and innovation as key priorities at the campaign event hosted by Brenda and Bill Roark in Huntsville this week.
Roberts, who announced his candidacy this month, cited the region’s rapid growth and Alabama’s future potential as key motivations for running.
“I think Alabama’s got a lot of unrealized potential. We’ve laid a lot of good foundation and the next four to eight years will be key,” said Roberts.
He pointed to infrastructure needs, particularly in fast-growing Madison and Limestone counties.
“Every time we send out a dollar, we’re getting 33 cents back right now,” he said. “That’s just bad business for Alabama.”
Emphasizing the need to keep up infrastructure, Roberts said it must keep pace with growth.
“You all spend time on the roads and it’s pretty tough to get around right now, and that’s hindering growth and opportunity for folks,” he said.
He also emphasized housing affordability, noting that the average first-time homebuyer is now 38 years old.
“We’ve got to work on affordability and help folks get that first home,” Roberts said.
Roberts had served with the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and was a founding supporter of the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy.
“They’re about to have their 640th graduate go through that program,” he said. “It’s a kind of innovation that I want to focus on.”
Roberts, a Republican, said he plans to focus on practical solutions while still holding to conservative principles.
“A lot of people like to focus on the real hard conservative issues and we’re going to fight on those as well but I think you can walk and chew gum and make sure we focus on things that are going to help people out,” he said.
District 2 includes portions of Madison and Limestone counties from Town Madison to Monrovia, Harvest, East Limestone and areas surrounding UAH.
“You’ve got cutting edge innovation, a lot of education opportunities there,” he said. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to try to represent those institutions as well.”
No opponent has yet entered the race, but Roberts said he’s campaigning as if it’s a competitive fight.
“This is the tightest district in the state of Alabama.” said Roberts. “We’re going to run like we got competition and we’re 5 down.”
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