By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
With a campaign that started almost a year ago and culminated in a big win during the recent primary election, Prattville City Councilman Jerry Starnes now looks to transition to what will be his new role as State Representative of District 88.
Starnes was victorious over his opponent Will Dismukes with 62-percent of the vote to Dismukes’ 38-percent. There are no Democrats vying for the seat so Starnes will take office after the November General election.
“I started campaigning in July 2021,” Starnes said. “My main focus was to go door-to-door, meet the people of my district face-to-face and listen to their concerns. It’s been a long, but rewarding process. I have met some really great people and I look forward to representing everyone in House District 88.”
Starnes believes that that he can make a positive impact on the district.
“I feel that it has been some time since Autauga and Elmore Counties have had the representation and respect that they need and deserve at the State House to consistently get things accomplished,” Starnes said about his decision to run for the office. “I will bring integrity and respect back to the District 88 house seat and work hard to gain the confidence of not only my constituents, but my peers at the State House to get things accomplished for our district.”
The city councilman has been a Probation/Parole Officer in the 19th Circuit for 20 years. He was promoted to District Manager in 2017 and currently supervises the probation officers in the 19th Circuit, as well as several other counties.
Starnes said he has some definite priorities upon taking office.
“I want to work with the leadership in District 88, not just the county commissioners, city councils and mayors, but the chambers, the Economic Development teams and, of course, the citizens to help Elmore and Autauga Counties reach their full potential,” he explained. “My vision and goal are to work hard to make District 88 one of the strongest economic powerhouses in the State of Alabama.”
The Prattville High graduate added that fighting for law enforcement, the military and education will also take precedence on his list of main concerns.
Starnes military support come from his own service experience.
“I have served in the 217th MP (Military Police) Company and 231st MP BN (Military Police Battalion) between 1994 and 2005,” he said. “Both units are based in Prattville.”
Starnes also went with the battalion in 2004 to 2005 to Baghdad, Iraq and received the Purple Heart in November 2004. He stills serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Alabama Army National Guard.
With the city councilman, who is also the Council President, moving into another role, there will be some big changes in Prattville city leadership.
“Lora Lee Boone (Councilmember District 7) is the Pro-Tem,” commented Starnes, “and she will assume my duties as the Council President. I will step down from my seat as City Councilman the first Tuesday in November.”
Starnes has been involved in the area for many years in several different roles including coaching youth league sports at the YMCA, Dixie Youth, and Travel Baseball, serving on the Military Committee Board for the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Kiwanis Club.
The official is currently on the YMCA Board of Managers, President of Community Corrections Board (Autauga and Elmore), and member of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce. He also serves with his wife Dawn at First United Methodist Church in Prattville, where they serve together on the Hospitality team.
Starnes stated that his family members have been his biggest cheerleaders in the process.
“My family has been very supportive and helped me throughout this campaign. I couldn’t have done it without them,” he said.
