Travis Hendrix, one of seven Democrats running in this month’s special primary for House District 55, picked up some key endorsements this week.
House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin are both backing Hendrix, his campaign said in a written statement.
“I’m supporting Travis Hendrix because I know that he will always work hard to ensure that we build safe communities, secure educational resources, and elevate the voice of every resident that calls District 55 home,” Woodfin said in the statement. “He has selflessly served our community for more than 15 years as a law enforcement officer, and I trust his ability to now lead with both compassion and conviction in the Alabama Legislature.”
The Business Council of Alabama also backed Hendrix this week.
House District 55 covers portions of Birmingham. Freshman lawmaker Fred Plump resigned from the seat in May over federal conspiracy and obstruction charges.
The primary is Sept. 26. No Republican filed to run.
Other Democrats on the ballot are Kenneth Coachman, Ves Marable, Cara McClure, Phyllis E. Oden-Jones, Sylvia Swayne and Antwon Bernard Womack.
Hendrix is a sergeant with the Birmingham Police Department and a graduate of Miles College. He earned a master’s degree from Oakland City University and has served as a school resource officer in the Birmingham area. He’s a Jefferson County native.
“Travis is the kind of community-bred leader we need in Montgomery to fight for District 55,” Daniels, D-Huntsville, said in the statement. “His strong connections and genuine commitment have positioned him to effectively advocate for his community’s rights.”
Hendrix previously ran for the House District 55 seat in 2022, but lost in the Democratic primary to Plump.
So far, the HD55 race has been a low-spending one, according to campaign finance records available online. Hendrix has taken in a little more than $20,000 in cash donations. Swayne was not far behind, with nearly $20,000 in cash donations.
Swayne is a first-time political candidate and the first transgender woman running for the Legislature.
Her platform includes supporting efforts to incentivize investments in small and minority owned businesses, protect and expand voting rights, increase community safety through community policing, and expanding mental health and crisis intervention training.