Sen. Scott Beason not seeking re-election
State Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, widely considered one of Alabama’s leading and most conservative legislators, announced Friday that he would not be seeking a third term in the Alabama Senate.
“I have always been humbled by the faith the people of the 17th District placed in me. Very few people thought we could win this Senate seat eight years ago, but thanks to support of the people we did. I am very pleased with all we have accomplished together,” Beason said.
“I set out with the goal of putting conservative principles into practice in Alabama,” Beason added. “Together, we have passed landmark legislation in the face of overwhelming opposition.”
Beason participated in passing some of Alabama’s most sweeping pieces of legislation, including state pushback against Obamacare, gun rights, to pro-life bills and to anti-illegal immigration efforts.
“It has not always been comfortable or easy,” he said. “Enemies accumulate when you stand for something, but there is a huge difference between support and leadership. In Alabama, almost everyone running for office ‘supports’ a conservative agenda. The hard part is actually leading on those issues after taking office and when the arrows are coming from all sides.”
Concerning the people he has represented Beason said, “I love the people of this area, and I have been so blessed to represent them over the years. They are strong, self-reliant, and well-informed. It is their spirit and their values that have allowed me to be successful in the legislature.”
The senator cited personal convictions as his reason for stepping down.
“It is time for this chapter in my life to come to a close, and it is such a strange feeling. I have been in a hard fought campaign every four years since 1994. When I first ran for the legislature I was 24 years old, and now 20 years later when I finally have the chance to run without opposition, I feel led to step away. It almost doesn’t seem real.”
Beason was first elected to the Alabama State House in 1998 and was then elected to the State Senate in 2006. He lives in Gardendale along with his wife Lori and three children.