MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Newly elected Alabama House Rep. Travis Hendrix, D-Birmingham, said the start last week of the 2024 legislative session was an emotional moment for him.
“I got here … came down into the chamber, and honestly, I almost cried because I never thought I’d be in this position, to represent a district that I grew up in,” Hendrix told members of the press after being sworn in.
“Those people in that district, I understand what they’re going through because honestly, I still go through those problems and issues that they are facing today.”
Hendrix represents State House District 55 in Birmingham, and won a special election in October after former Rep. Fred Plump stepped down from his seat last summer amid federal conspiracy and obstruction charges.
A native of Birmingham, Hendrix attended Ensley High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Miles College and a master’s from Oakland City University. He is currently a sergeant with the Birmingham Police Department and has often served as a school resource officer in the Birmingham area.
“Becoming an officer is probably one of the best decisions I ever made because it kind of made me the man that I am today, and also, extended my perspective of community service,” Hendrix said.
“Before I leave this world, I just want to do everything in my power to save a life.”
In 2022, Hendrix made his first bid for the HD55 seat, but ultimately lost to Plump. With Plump resigning from office mere months after being sworn in, Hendrix made one more bid for the seat, this time scoring key endorsements from the likes of State House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.
Hendrix went on to defeat his Democratic opponents during the special election primary, as well as in a subsequent runoff election with Democratic candidate Sylvia Swayne, receiving more than 65% of the vote.
During his campaign, Hendrix ran on a platform of producing economic growth, particularly for minority and women-owned companies, as well as on investing more in education. Hendrix reiterated those priorities on his first day as a state lawmaker.
Q&A with Rep. Travis Hendrix *questions are paraphrased
Q: What are your thoughts going into your first session?
“Just trying to (understand) the policies, procedures and rules, I think that’s very important because any time you’re going into this particular role, you need to know exactly what you’re doing, so I think that’s the very first thing I’m going to try to do.”
Q: What are some of your top legislative priorities?
“Education. It was the after-school program that actually helped me, I dropped out of high school because of family issues. Had to go back to get my GED, so if it wasn’t for this particular program, I never would have been in the position I’m in today, so education is most definitely a critical component.
On public safety, I think it doesn’t matter where you live, everybody wants to feel safe, so that’s one of my things that I’ll try to tackle as well.”
Q: What would you say are the biggest challenges facing residents of your district?
“The city of Fairfield, for a number of years, they have lost a lot of economic growth due to a lot of businesses leaving the area for various reasons. That’s one thing that I’ve been trying to do some research on to try to see exactly what I can do to help the city of Fairfield.
Also, the west side of Jefferson County, I would say just trying to improve the affordable housing program, also the education program, as well as trying to improve the quality of life for the people in that area. Growing up from that area, you really don’t have a lot of support in those areas.”
Q: Are there any bills you’re supporting at this moment?
“Right now, not at this moment because there is so much out there. There is so much to get abreast of, because one thing I have learned, when it comes to these bills, yes, you’re going to read the first summary, but it’s everything after that that’s important.
So I think that’s the first thing, I’ve just got to sit down and start reading, and while you’re reading you’ve got to be able to understand and comprehend what you’re reading.”