ARA

RetailPAC Endorses Bradley Byrne for Governor

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

ByrneBIRMINGHAM, AL – Alabama Retail PAC, the political action committee of the Alabama Retail Association , today endorsed Bradley Byrne for governor.

“Among the gubernatorial candidates, Bradley Byrne best understands the issues retailers and other businesses face every day,” said ARA President Rick Brown. “We are confident Bradley will listen and give retailers’ interests fair consideration.”

Alabama RetailPAC also endorsed Byrne for his 2002 and 2006 Alabama Senate races.

Even though the Alabama Retail Association has supported Byrne throughout his political career, ARA members took the time to get to know the candidate even better when Byrne made the keynote speech at the association’s annual meeting in November. After that meeting and upon further examination of Byrne’s record, RetailPAC voted unanimously to endorse Byrne as the right gubernatorial candidate for retailers in 2010.

“Bradley Byrne may be a lawyer by vocation, but his calling is public servant,” said ARA Chairman Jimmy Ray Smith, vice president of Jimmy Smith Jewelers in Decatur. “Through two terms each on the Board of Education and in the state Senate, then during the two years he served as chancellor of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, Bradley proved himself as an excellent steward of taxpayers’ dollars and a staunch promoter of governmental integrity. He’s capable of making tough decisions and will lead our state in a manner that fosters economic growth.”

Alabama RetailPAC will make endorsements for judicial and legislative races closer to the June primary.

The Alabama Retail Association represents almost 4,000 independent merchants and national companies that retail food, clothing, furniture and other general merchandise at more than 6,000 locations throughout Alabama. The membership of ARA accounts for more than 75 percent of total annual retail sales in Alabama. Since 1943, it has been the goal of the Alabama Retail Association to serve its members and promote what is best for the retailing industry in the state of Alabama. From legislation before the Alabama Legislature or the U.S. Congress to education, through communication and member services, the association provides its members with the latest information and technology.

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Media Contact: Nancy King Dennis | 334.263.5757, Ext. 101 | 800.239.5423 | 334.868.2195 (cell)