By WILL WHATLEY, Alabama Daily News
Anniston businessman Keith Kelley will announce his bid to replace a State Senate stalwart on Wednesday, Alabama Daily News has learned.
Kelley, who would represent Calhoun County and parts of Talladega County, has been president of Harris-McKay Realty for more than 26 years and has served as President of the Alabama Association of Realtors, as well as the National Association of Realtors Board of Directors.
Kelley is aiming to replace State Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, who last year announced he would not seek re-election. Marsh has been a central figure in the State Senate since he was elected to office in 1998. He is the longest-serving Senate President Pro Tem in state history, a role which he recently relinquished to State Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, at the beginning of the 2021 legislative session.
According to a press release provided to Alabama Daily News, Kelley will tout his community advocacy, business experience and desire to work across the aisle on the campaign trail.
“I want to make sure that District 12 continues to have a strong voice in Montgomery and is represented with honesty and integrity. I learned the importance of serving others at an early age,” said Kelley. “I have a true desire for public service. As a job creator and political outsider, I will provide the leadership that Northeast Alabama needs to ensure that our area grows and thrives.”
The primary election is more than a year away, currently scheduled for May 24, 2022. However, state lawmakers are considering pushing that date back to allow more time for them to redraw districts since the Census data is so late-coming.