Local Republicans hosted a newcomer to the Alabama Senate race Saturday, welcoming Jonathan McConnell as the featured speaker at the monthly GOP breakfast.

McConnell, a South Alabama businessman, wasted no time positioning himself as the antithesis of longtime incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa), whom he portrayed as the definitive example of a career politician.

Career politicians “are what’s wrong with this country,” said McConnell. “My goal is to push through term limits and vigorously fight” to ensure they’re enforced.

“This [campaign] is not about beating Richard Shelby  — it’s about changing the direction of this country,” he added.

“What we have in Washington, D.C. right now is an ‘incumbent protection program.’ That’s why the NRA endorsed Richard Shelby. Look at me: I’m a Class 3 firearms dealer, but the NRA endorses the career candidate. That’s the power that Richard Shelby has. Until we change it, the ‘incumbent protection program’ is alive and well.”

In addition to term limits, McConnell  — who said he’s not related to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) — said he’d fight to end legislative cronyism.

“Shelby can get on TV and say that he brings home $1.80 for every $1.00 that every Alabama resident sends to Washington. Well, senator, every single senator gets to say that. That’s why we’re $19 trillion in debt.”

McConnell said he’s optimistic that his message of fiscal conservatism and public accountability can boost his campaign far beyond its comparatively meager fundraising power. Citing the 2014 Tea Party upset of former U.S. Sen. Eric Cantor by underdog David Brat (R-Va.), McConnell said there’s an untapped discontent with business-as-usual federal politics among a growing swath of frustrated voters.

“Look at the spending in this race,” he noted. “We don’t have to outspend Richard Shelby to win. He may have $19 million, whereas we’ve raised almost $600,000. But we don’t have to outspend him, because you can’t buy the election as you could in the past. There are people he [Shelby] has hired who are voting for me — but they need a job. That’s how broken the system is. 

“Just look at what happened in the Eric Cantor and David Brat race: Cantor outspent Brat 40 to one. And look who’s representing Virginians in Washington now.”