By CAROLINE BECK, Alabama Daily News
State Sen. Jim McClendon will not seek reelection in 2022.
McClendon, a Republican from Springville, has been representing Senate District 11 since 2014. He previously served three terms in the House of Representatives.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of District 11 in the Senate,” McClendon said in a statement. “I am proud of the work that I have been able to do for my community, our state and the people who elected me to serve over the years. After nearly two decades in the state legislature, I have now decided that it is time to pass the torch and give the opportunity to serve my district in the Senate to someone else.”
One of the high-profile pieces of legislation McClendon most recently worked on was the lottery and gambling package that passed out of the Senate but failed to pass the House before time ran out in this year’s regular session.
“There is a lot of important work to be done between now and the end of my term, and I look forward to continuing to represent my constituents’ interests in Montgomery as we work to move our state forward and improve quality of life for Alabamians,” McClendon said.
The senator currently serves as chairman of the Senate Health Committee and leads the reapportionment efforts in the Senate.
Last year, long-time legislator and Senate leader Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said he won’t seek another term next year.
The 2022 primary is May 24 and state law allows campaign fundraising to begin a calendar year in advance. That means candidates can start accepting money Monday.
On the Democrat side of the 35-member Senate, it appears unlikely that Sen. Priscilla Dunn will seek reelection. She has missed most of this quadrennium to date for health reasons.