Ales Campbell declares write-in candidacy
LaFayette native Ales Campbell has officially declared herself a writein candidate for Walker County commissioner in the Nov. 6 election. “It’s been in my heart for several years,” said Campbell Friday, Aug. 24. She officially decided to run for office approximately two weeks ago, after seeing the number of people disappointed by Dr. Paul Shaw’s defeat by incumbent Bebe Heiskell in the July 31 primary. “Nothing’s changed,” she said. “If I can’t have Dr. Shaw, they can have someone who thinks like him.” Campbell maintains that her platform is identical to Shaw’s: both want a five-person board of commissioners and a serious investigation into the financial operations of county. “I will evaluate every department,” she said. As for Shaw, Campbell stated that if elected, she will retain him as an advisor and colleague. “I will have him with me in the administration.” “I will not change EMS,” she said. “I will not change the fire department. I want to add to the volunteer fire department.” “I will not develop the Mountain Cove Farms,” she said, touching on a point that was especially near and dear to the Shaw campaign. “I want to talk to the citizens of Mountain Cove and see what they want.” Campbell emphasized the Ales Campbell a legal notice declaring her write-in candidacy Walker County Commissioner. From left, K.C. Campbell, owner of Campbell Surveying & Mapping, Ales Campbell, Dr. Paul Shaw, and Irma Shaw. (Messenger photo/Matt Ledger) that her campaign will focus on the process required for voters to write her name in on the ballot; although she will not be officially listed on the ballot by name, she will be registered as a write-in candidate and any derivation of her name will be recognized as valid.