NORTH ALABAMA POLITICAL FORUM DRAWS HUNDREDS TO HEAR TOP TICKET CANDIDATES

September 19, 2018 sonadmin Headline News 0

By Patrick Grayson, Speakin‘ Out News contributing writer

(SON photo credit: Shelly Williams) Democratic political candidates pictured with the Epsilon Gamma Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. members. Pictured from LEFT to RIGHT, is Peter Joffrion, U.S. Congressional District #5 candidate; Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Alabama Governor candidate; and Rev. Dr. Will Boyd, Lieutenant Governor.

(SON photo credit: Shelly Williams) (LEFT – RIGHT) State Rep. Laura Hall, House District 19; Alice Sams, ProjectFOCUS non-profit, and Min. Phillip Muhammad

(SON photo credit: Shelly Williams) (LEFT-RIGHT): Deloris Smothers, Chair of Business & Information Technologies Division, Drake State Technical College; Dr. Ocsar Montgomery, pastor, Union Hill P.B. Church and NHCUA president; Beth Martin, Progress Bank and Trust President and Dr. Julius R. Scruggs, senior pastor, First M.B. Church

(SON photo credit: Shelly Williams) (LEFT – RIGHT): Commissioner JesHenry Malone, Madison County District 6 and Jo Miley, Madison Co. Commissioner’s Office, District 6, Administrative Assistant

The North Huntsville Community United for Action (NHCUA) recently hosted a “Political Forum for the Democratic and Republican Candidates” at First Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday, September 11, 2018. Hundreds across the community came to hear and engage the candidates from across Alabama. All candidates were officially invited to participate which included:

• Candidates for governor: Gov. Kay Ivey & Walt Maddox;

•Candidates for lieutenant governor: Will Ainsworth & Will Boyd.

•Candidates for Congressional District 5: Mo Brooks & Peter Joffrion.

Rev. Dr. Oscar Montgomery, pastor of Union Hill Primitive Baptist Church and president of NHCUA, stated “This is a critical time for us as we have an opportunity to choose leadership and office holders. We must rise to the occasion, participate and vote.”

“We will continue to do everything possible to provide resources for North Alabama to remain a community of informed voters and to get us to the polls in November. We are working to exercise the right to vote and to restore it to those that want to vote!” stated Rep. Laura Hall.

NHCUA is a collective of pastors, parents, and community volunteers who serve north Huntsville and recognized all of the candidates in attendance to empower North Alabama and Huntsville to Get Out the Vote. Madison County’s African-American community proved to be a bellwether for the victory of Senator Doug Jones.

“The power of a vote is priceless, and we want to make sure each voter has the information needed to make informed decisions at the polls. This forum along with other events will help voters make decisions on candidates to vote for on November 6, 2018.” stated Alice Sams.

Faith in Action, WJAB, WHRP, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), members of North Huntsville Pan Hellenic Council, NAACP, Alabama A & M University students and several other community partners participated to inform the citizenry.

Alabama returns to the polls for the midterm general election on November 6, 2018.