By: Shayla Terry

Ronda McCaul Walker has tossed in her hat for the race to become the next Alabama senator for District 25, a position that was previously held by Dick Brewbaker.

The District 25 senator services parts of Montgomery County and all of Crenshaw and Elmore County. Walker currently serves as the vice chairman of the Montgomery County commission.

“When Senator Brewbaker announced his retirement, I was very happy with my work with the county commission,” Walker said. “Several individuals approached me and expressed their interest in me running, so that made me look into it.”

“I wanted to know would I have something unique to offer state government, and through my research I came to the decision that I will,” Walker said.

Walker would go on to be the only republican female senator. She currently serves as the only female on the Montgomery County Commission, a position former Gov. Robert Bentley appointed her to in 2014. In November 2016, Walker ran unopposed to remain in her position.

Walker is a Troy State University alumna, wife and mother of four. She has served on the congressional staff of U.S. congresswoman Martha Roby, and on the legislative staff of U.S. senator Richard Shelby.

“There are several obvious things that we need to do better in Alabama; education being one of them,” Walker said. “Education is suffering nationally and Alabama is no different. We also need to continue our efforts in economic development. We need to not only attract new business, but take care of our existing business. I want to make sure that the government doesn’t get in the way of businesses being successful.”

Walker also plans to take a look at how Alabama is controlling budgeting. With all of these issues at the forefront, she recognizes the importance of the rural community.

“We have got to make sure we continue to focus on agriculture; it is the number one industry in the state of Alabama,” she said. “We have very rural agrarian roots here that cannot be forgotten, so we need to make sure we take care of our farmers. With Crenshaw, my heart is set on making sure that every single resident has a voice in his or her state government. I am going to be that for them. I am going to travel to Brantley, I am going to travel to Highland Home, and I am going to travel to Luverne to get to know folks. I will listen to them.”