In one of the first major endorsements of the race, the Alabama Farmers Federation’s political action committees endorsed Republican Caroleene Dobson in the Congressional District 2 race.
The federation also endorsed in the four-woman GOP race for state board of education.
About Dobson, one of seven Republicans now campaigning for the newly drawn and open south Alabama House seat, ALFA President Jimmy Parnell praised her agricultural background and conservative values.
“Caroleene is one of us,” Parnell said in a written statement. “She grew up on a fifth-generation cattle farm in Monroe County and understands the challenges facing farmers and rural families. Caroleene’s intelligence and personal drive gave her the opportunity to further her education and make connections throughout the country, but she never forgot her roots. Her devotion to faith, family and hard work will make her a strong voice for Alabama’s Second Congressional District as she goes toe to toe with those who are seeking to undermine the foundational values of our great nation.”
Dobson is a real estate attorney and is on the Alabama Forestry Commission and board of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.
“I was born and raised on our family farm in rural southwest Alabama and took part in the hard work and daily chores that go into feeding families across our state,” she said. “Because we share deep agricultural roots and a common bond, the farmers of the Second Congressional District understand that I will always ensure their voices are heard in the committee rooms, corridors and chambers of the U.S. Capitol. FarmPAC and the Alabama Farmers Federation embrace the traditional values and conservative beliefs of our state and its people, and I am thankful for the endorsement and support.”
The Alabama Farmers Federation has more than 350,000 members statewide and its PACs are among the largest contributors to races in most election cycles.
On Thursday, ALFA also endorsed Kelly Mooney for District 3 of the Alabama State School Board.
Mooney is one of four Republicans seeking the open school board seat. Mooney has a bachelor’s in education and was an administrator for Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham. She’s now a client service associate for OneAscent Financial Services and is co-owner of a small business. Her husband, Arnold Mooney, is a long-time Alabama House member.
Other candidates for the board seat are Ann Eubank, a conservative advocate and familiar face in the State House; Charlotte Meadows, a former state representative and charter school president; and Melissa B. Snowden, a former Montgomery Public Schools board member.
“I am honored to receive the Farmers Federation’s endorsement,” Mooney said in a written statement. “The Federation and I share the same conservative values and the same concern for the future of our children’s education in our state.”
District 3 covers all of Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore and Shelby counties along with portions of Jefferson, Montgomery and Talladega counties. It was held for nearly 30 years by Stephanie Bell, a Montgomery Republican, who did not seek reelection.
There are no Democrats in that board of education contest.
The primary elections are March 5.