A Baldwin County resident with ties to Brewton has thrown his hat into the ring as a candidate for the Republican nomination for Alabama’s 22nd Senate District seat. Stephen Sexton, a retired U.S. Army major, said the decision did not come lightly and that he has the blessings of his family in his run for the office.

“After much prayer and conversation with my family I know that now is the time for me to run for Alabama Senate District 22,” Sexton said. “It is time to focus on positive, forward reaching answers to the problems facing Alabama. Now is the time for all of Southwest Alabama to be the location for economic development, job growth, educational advancements that ensure students are job ready, family and community commitment based on conservative values.”

Sexton credits his service in the military with his ability to serve as a leader for the residents in the district he hopes to serve.

“I have had the privilege and honor of serving 20 years in the US Army from Bosnia, to Iraq, Germany and South Korea,” Sexton said. “I know what leadership looks like and what it takes to lead. District 22 has the infrastructure that industry is looking for. We have railroads, waterways, interstate highways and seaport. Real leadership sees economic opportunities, works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and corporate leaders and develops a plan to bring growth to the district. ”

Sexton said he plans to be the kind of leader that would put the needs of the district and the state at the top of his list while in office.

“Southwest Alabama has lost jobs to overseas factories paying below minimum wages and outsourcing,” Sexton said. “This district needs a senator that will reach out to the business leaders and industrial corporations, bringing the best jobs available to Alabama, jobs that will get folks off food stamps and off the unemployment line.”

Sexton said his values and beliefs would make him the best person to represent the people of the district.

“I am pro God, pro family, pro life and pro gun rights,” Sexton said. “I am a member of the NRA, American Legion, VFW and the Baldwin County Republican Executive Committee.”

To his credit, Sexton is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom having served as the Operations Chaplain for the 8th Theater Sustainment Command. He received numerous honors including the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service medals. Stephen and his wife, Brenda White of Brewton, have been married for 34 years. They have two children, Johnathan and Crystal and two grandchildren. Sexton is a native of Andalusia and graduated from Florala High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of South Alabama and graduated from the U.S. Army Command General and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He received a master of divinity degree from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary In Cleveland, Tenn. He recently retired at the rank of major from the U.S. Army after 20 years having served two deployments in Iraq, two tours in Germany, South Korea and a deployment to Bosnia. He served 13 years as a minister in Alabama churches including pastorates in Atmore, Citronelle and Chatom.