Gov. Riley endorses McKinney
in Baldwin Senate 32 runoff
Gulf Shores – Senate District 32 candidate Randy McKinney Friday announced that Gov. Bob Riley has endorsed his candidacy in the upcoming Republican run-off election Sept. 11.
McKinney and Eastern Shore businessman Trip Pittman will vie for the GOP nomination to oppose Democratic nominee A.J. Cooper in a general election Oct. 16.
Riley's public endorsement will appear in a new commercial slated to begin airing over the extended Labor Day holiday weekend, said McKinney.
"Having worked so closely with Gov. Riley in (seeking to ban) double-dippers from serving in the Legislature and cleaning up the two-year college mess, I am proud and honored he has endorsed my candidacy," McKinney said. "As a member of the State Senate, I will work to end corruption in every area of state government and will follow the high ethical standard that Gov. Riley has set."
The commercial, which will air on both television and radio stations throughout the district, is voiced by Riley, himself, and the script reads:
"Next Tuesday Baldwin County voters will choose their new state senator, and there is no better choice than my friend, Randy McKinney.
Like me, Randy believes we need honesty and integrity in our state government, and he has been one of my strongest allies in the fight against corruption in Montgomery.
He is the kind of conservative leader that Baldwin County deserves -- the kind we need in the Senate. And I ask you to vote for him on Tuesday, Sept. 11."
McKinney, who was appointed to the State Board of Education by Riley in 2003, credited the endorsement to their close working relationship on the school board and shared values and beliefs.
"Gov. Riley and I both believe strongly in addressing important issues like illegal immigration, ethics in government and tax cuts for middle-class families and small businesses," McKinney said. "We are both committed to making insurance on the Gulf Coast affordable and available and returning property tax reappraisals to a four-year cycle. I deeply appreciate his support for our campaign."
