When the Alabama Legislature convenes on Jan. 13, House District 11 will be represented by newly elected Republican Rep. Heath Allbright.
Allbright, a lifelong resident of Holly Pond, is a former two-term member of the Cullman County Board of Education and owns a timber harvesting and reforestation company, Brighton Forestry Services.
Allbright had opted not to run for a third term on the school board in 2024 and was looking for, but not rushing to, another opportunity to serve when early last year Rep. Randall Shedd stepped down to work in Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger’s office.
“Whether you believe in coincidences or callings, I felt, and my family felt, that it was time to step through that door that was opening,” Allbright said recently about his bid for the State House seat. “… Really, I just wanted to serve. I just wanted to serve and serve at a greater capacity. And when that door opened up, I felt it was time.”
Allbright has deep Cullman County roots. He and his family live in the house where he was raised. He and his wife, Breann, met in the same school system his grandparents attended. His children are now a senior and freshman in high school there. Breann Allbright is in her 20th year of teaching at Cullman County Schools and his mother, Karen Allbright Rowell, spent her career teaching there.
Allbright was 8 when his father was killed in a car wreck and he praises his mother for how she raised him and his brother. He was 25 when he started his own business and found early success in it, he said.
He campaigned on issues including increasing education funding, protecting constitutional rights, and promoting job creation through support for small businesses and infrastructure development.
Allbright recently talked to Alabama Daily News about the experiences that led him to seek the House seat and what’s next. Answers have been edited for brevity.
Q: How will your experience on the Cullman County School Board benefit you in the State House or drive some of your priorities?
“Well, we all have our own thoughts about education policy. I think the greatest benefit that would help me from that experience is meeting with — we had a seven-person board and a superintendent, and we were from all different parts of the county — meeting with seven different men, taking seven different ideas from seven different backgrounds, and being able to collectively agree to move the system forward. I think that’s going to be the greatest help. Knowing that it’s okay to disagree as long as things are going forward.”
Q: How will that experience as a business owner carry over into your new role?
“I started something from nothing that now affects so many lives and having a real budget —I’ve got the lives of dozens of other people that are counting on that business. And if you can’t afford it, don’t buy it; if you don’t have it, don’t spend it. From creating that revenue and managing that revenue from an early age and for the past 15 years should give me some experience that will help the State Legislature.
Q: District 11 has seen some significant population growth in recent years, but there are still some very rural areas. What do you see as some of the most pressing issues in the district?
“That’s a tough question. Cullman County has just made great strides in the past decade, as far as, especially in and around the city, of bringing in companies and businesses to promote growth. We’ve got people moving in from everywhere. And obviously it’s a good thing, but there’s some people who do not like it.
“… As far as pressing issues, I’d say infrastructure and continuing to enhance that to keep up with the growth. (Expanding Highway 278 to four lanes in more areas) has been talked about for two decades.
“… I know Lt. Gov. (Will) Ainsworth is a big proponent of widening I-65 and if you ever watch the news, there’s always a wreck between the 291 exit and the 308 exit (in Cullman County). It’s two lanes there. And some of that could be some of the influx of traffic coming in…
“I guess if I had to say a pressing issue as far as our district goes, because our schools are good, our people are good, and I love it here, I would guess I would say infrastructure, just so that we can keep moving forward.”
Q. Have you gotten your House committee assignments yet?
“Yes, the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee and House Urban and Rural Development Committee.”
Ag and forestry, that seems to track.
“Yes, I’m in forestry and I’m a farmer. … (House leadership) knew my background. And, I met a man 10 years ago through business by the name of Will Ainsworth, and he was in the House at the time. I bought timber from him, and I was on the school board. And so I know those guys down there knew what I did, just because of my relationship with Will over the years.”
Q: You’re one of several House members elected in recent special elections, which means you have to turn around immediately and run in the regular 2026 election cycle. How are you spending your time these days gearing up for your first session and running another campaign?
“Thankfully, I don’t require much sleep. I’ve always been so busy with business and farming and kids and rentals and all that kind of stuff that I do.
“… Basically, you’re not coming off the campaign trail, because as soon as you win, you’re trying to figure out what the new role is and do all the things you’re supposed to do as a representative while at the same time still campaigning and going to different things and making sure that people know that your name is going to be on the ballot again.”