Stephen Sexton, of Bay Minette, has announced his intentions to run for the Alabama State Senate seat in District 22, in the 2014 general election. The seat is currently held by Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill.

Sexton, a Republican, is originally from Florala and recently retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service at the rank of major, completing deployments in Iraq, Bosnia and South Korea. He was also a minister for 13 years, serving congregations in Atmore, Citronelle and Chatom.

According to his campaign website, Sexton has worked a variety of other jobs in his life, including in a shirt factory, grocery store, as a bus driver and as a chicken farmer. He has also received training as a certified volunteer firefighter and basic emergency medical technician.

Sexton graduated from the University of South Alabama in 1985, with a Bachelor of Education degree.

Sexton is married to the former Brenda White, of Brewton. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Senate District 22 contains portions of Escambia, Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties.