By By Adam Prestridge
A group of area residents gathered Monday evening at David’s Catfish House to support Atmore businessman Jeff Peacock who officially announced his candidacy for the District 22 Senate seat.
During the reception, the 40-year-old Atmore resident discussed his campaign platform with supporters.
Peacock said the main focus of his candidacy would be economic development. “Considering the economic challenges we face in Southwest Alabama, we must have a state senator that understands economic development,” he said. “As a small businessman, I know what it takes to get the economy moving.”
Peacock laid out an agenda for economic development that includes tax incentives, promotion of entrepreneurship and education reform.
District 22 is currently held by Marc Keahey who took over the seat following the untimely death seven-term democratic Sen. W.H. “Pat” Lindsey in January 2009. Peacock said he realizes that it will take a lot of hard work to win the election and encouraged supporters to volunteer of their time, make campaign contributions and simply put support signs in their yards to get the word out if they want “a change.”
With that said, Peacock said that he would be running a “grassroots” campaign.
Peacock is a native of Century, Fla. He is married to the former Jodi Nellums, also of Century, Fla. Peacock attended Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton, before transferring to Florida State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in finance finishing No. 1 in his class of more than 400. He later attended the University of Chicago, where he received a master’s degree in finance and economics. Peacock is the owner of The Paper Station in Atmore, a printing and stationery retailer.
Peacock is active in his community. He is a member of the Atmore First Presbyterian Church, chairman of the Escambia County Republican Party, vice president of the Atmore Lions Club and a former board member of the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce.
Senate District 22 encompasses portions of Baldwin, Clarke, Choctaw, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe, Mobile and Washington counties.
To learn more about Peacock’s campaign, visit his campaign’s Web site at www.JeffPeacock.com.