By Kurt Wallace

All my life I have heard “you can’t elect an honest politician” and “they may be honest when they go there, but they will be crooks by the time they leave.” Well, I never believed that, and I don’t believe it today.

We have a lot of very good politicians in Montgomery that represent their districts with the utmost honesty and integrity.

The real question people should be asking themselves is “do I really want an honest politician to represent me?” When you understand that our state government doesn’t “make” any money, it simply redistributes your tax dollars; then you can understand the gravity of deciding who gets what. Everyone can’t get more when less is coming in. It’s easy to love your representative when they are putting lots of other people’s taxes in your pocket. But, when times are tough and our state is struggling to pay its bills, someone has to make tough decisions. I was elected to make those hard decisions; I have not shied away from that responsibility. “Living within your means” is always easier said, than done.

Also, being honest means you don’t always consult your wallet before making a decision. None of the votes I have cast have put any more money in my pocket. In fact, most have taken money away from me and my family. But they were the right thing to do, and there is never a wrong time to do the right thing. I did not vote to raise my pay, but I did refuse every cost of living raise offered and I voted to cut my pay in the future and leave my salary in the hands of the Alabama economy, just like every other hard working citizen.

I am running again because I believe there is still a lot of hard work that needs to be done in this great state. Because there are still tough decisions to be made and someone’s going to make them. I can’t promise to raise your pay or increase your benefits. But I can promise to always seek God’s advice and guidance before making the decisions that will change the lives and landscape in our great state. My perspective on how I should live my life and serve others has not changed since I was elected in 2010, and it will remain the same going forward; it is based on Micah 6: 8 which says, “And what does the LORD require of you? To seek justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Kurt Wallace, State Representative for District 42