By By MaryClaire Foster
With news of continual layoffs dominating economics, both candidates for the District 22 state senate seat say the creation and restoration of jobs is a top priority.
Republican Greg Albritton, of Range, and Democrat Marc Keahey, of Grove Hill, will vie for the senate seat in an election on Tuesday. District 22 encompasses eight counties, including all of Escambia and Washington counties and portions of Clarke, Conecuh, Choctaw, Monroe, Washington, Baldwin and Mobile counties.
The seat is currently vacant following the death of Sen. Pat Lindsey, and the winner will serve until 2010.
Both candidates had campaigning going full force in town this week with Keahey’s camp holding up campaign posters at the intersection of Hwy. 31 and Hwy. 21 on Wednesday and a republican rally in support of Albritton held Thursday night in Heritage Park.
Albritton said Thursday the biggest issues facing the seat were “order for our budgetary process” and jobs and economic development
As for why he is the better candidate, Albritton said, “Experience, military experience and legislature experience, I was a municipal judge. Plus, I’m conservative, I’m right. He’s a democrat, he’s left.”
Keahey said in an e-mail Friday that his experience in the Alabama House of Representatives, where he is currently serving, along with his work as an assistant District Attorney are what qualify him as the better candidate.
Keahey said both jobs and education were the biggest issues facing the seat.
Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m.