Ending months of speculation, former senator Roger Bedford, Jr., announced Thursday afternoon he would not pursue another term as state senator for Alabama Senate District 6.
In an exclusive interview with the Franklin Free Press, Bedford said he considered running for the position he held for 28 years before deciding to stay on the sideline.
Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow has already announced his candidacy to seek the Democratic nomination for Senate District 6, setting up a potential showdown with incumbent Republican Dr. Larry Stutts next year.
Bedford said Morrow met with him about his interest in running against Stutts.
“I've been fortunate to have worked with a lot of good House members over the years, including Johnny Mack, Charlie Britnell, Marcel Black and Mike Millican,” Bedford said. “I appreciate Johnny Mack talking to me during his decision making process as well as several other candidates who may want to seek office. I've always found Johnny Mack to be a man of his word and a hard worker,” he added.
Bedford represented District 6 from 1982 to 1990. He returned to Montgomery to serve another 20 years, from 1994-2014, before narrowly losing to Stutts by 60 votes in a race that saw more than 35,000 votes cast.
“I'm honored so many people stopped in the grocery store, on the street and called me to say they want me back. I'm honored by that. I'm proud of our record in job creation in northwest Alabama and the state as a whole,” Bedford said. “I'm very grateful for all the support family and friends have given me over the years. But I am not seeking the office of state senate again.”
While Bedford specifically ruled out a run for state senator, he left the door open for a future campaign for another office.
“We'll see what the future holds when it comes to that. But for now, I'm looking forward to spending more time with my wife (Maudie), Roge (their son) and being active in our church,” Bedford said.
Bedford earned a reputation in Montgomery as a bulldog fighting for his district and when it came to special appropriations, Senate District 6 was often at the front of the pack.
“Because we were able to work hard and bring additional tax dollars home, we were able to have better things for our residents to enjoy,” Bedford said.
“There were 35 of us down there in Montgomery and the one who worked the hardest and fought the hardest for the people got the special appropriation to help their volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, schools and athletic programs,” he added.
When asked about his many accomplishments as senator, Bedford said one of his biggest professional satisfactions came with the passage of the Senior RX program.
“It was my privilege to help start the first statewide free prescription program, Senior RX, that we started up here in northwest Alabama. We've been able to give over $400 million in free prescription drugs to seniors who otherwise would not have qualified,” Bedford said.
“Years ago, I had young couples tell me they had to support their grandparents and parents and they weren't getting prescription drug coverage. People had to decide between paying their power bill or getting the medicine they needed. We used some good old Alabama common sense and fixed that,” Bedford added.
Bedford is concerned about the political climate both nationally and in Alabama.
“It's sad that partisan politics that had gridlocked Washington have drifted down to our state capital where people are judging ideas not on their merit but on which political party is promoting them. My philosophy was if it was good for the state and my area, we ought to do it, and if not, we should fight it,” Bedford said.
Since 2014, Bedford has returned to the full-time practice of law in Russellville. Additionally, he's co-owner of Valley Lumber in Hackleburg, a company that ships lumber nationwide. He's also remaining active in several non-profit and community causes, including the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville. Bedford recalled how he first became involved with the idea for the facility.
“I was sitting on my couch reading the Sunday paper after church when Gov. Bob Riley called and asked me what I knew about biogenetics. I told him I didn't think I could spell the word, but he said he had a great project and wanted to get me involved,” Bedford said. “He told me about a group of men, including Jim Hudson and Lonnie McMillian, who were very successful professionally and wanted to leave a legacy project to Huntsville. They started out with 200 employees and that's now grown to 800. I was proud to help lead the funding for research. Private investors put in $100 million and the state $30 million and then later $20 million,” he added.
The institute's mission is to translate the promise of genomics into real-world benefits for people and their communities.
“It's been nothing but a success and has exceeded all expectation. I was honored to help lead the effort,” Bedford said.
While politics will forever run through Bedford's veins, at least for now, he's at peace having moved on from the political arena.
“I'm enjoying practicing law and I enjoy going home and playing with my two Labrador retrievers. I'm fortunate to have a wife who's a great cook, wonderful gardener and my best friend. It's nice to enjoy some of the prettiest sunsets in the world right here in Russellville,” Bedford said.
