Seven candidates are running in the GOP primary. How they answered questions on why voters should pick them on June 3 and who currently in Congress best exemplifies their style and views:
Scott Beason, 44, state senator
Who he is: Beason has served two terms in the Alabama House and two terms in the Alabama Senate.
What he says: “I’ve tried taking the bull by the horns. I’ve led by example. I’ve been bold. I’ve fought those fights that the people of Alabama want us to fight and I’ll do the exact same thing in Washington.”
Who he likes in Congress: Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Will Brooke, 58, lawyer and corporate executive
Who he is: Brooke is the co-founder and executive vice president and managing partner of Harbert Management Corp., an asset management firm. He was previously chief operating officer and general counsel of Harbert Corp.
What he says: “I’m a family man of faith who has a broad range of experience in business and civic affairs. I’m not a politician, but I’m determined to make a difference in Washington.”
Who he likes in Congress: Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan
Paul DeMarco, 46, state representative and lawyer
Who he is: DeMarco has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2005. He is a lawyer with the firm of Parsons, Lee & Juliano, P.C.
What he says: “We need elected officials who will take on the difficult issues, have the courage to vote regardless of political consequences even challenge our own party if we think they are wrong.”
Who he likes in Congress: South Carolina Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy
Chad Mathis, 43, orthopedic surgeon
Who he is: Mathis is the managing partner of the Alabama Bone and Joint Clinic in Pelham.
What he says: “I’m a doctor and a small business owner and I’m definitely not a politician.”
Who he likes in Congress: Utah Sen Mike Lee and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.
Gary Palmer, 59, think tank founder
Who he is: Palmer, a former industrial engineer, is the founder of the conservative Alabama Policy Institute.
What he says: “Everybody knows that when it comes to understanding the issues and the policy solution that I’m ’that guy.’ I’m kind of the nerd.”
Who he likes in Congress: Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions
Rob Shattuck, 67, retired lawyer
Who he is: Shattuck is a retired lawyer who practiced with the firm of Haskell Slaughter
What he says: “My diagnosis of it is the money monster in politics, coupled with the extreme accumulation of wealth and power by those in the political class in Washington, that is leading them to put their interests ahead of the American people,” Shattuck said.
Who he likes in Congress: Maryland Rep. John Sarbanes, a Democrat, who has proposed an overhaul of the campaign financing system.
Tom Vigneulle, 52, mattress company owner
Who he is: Vigneulle is the owner and president of Royal Bedding Manufacturing.
What he says: “As a small business owner. I haven’t been passing taxation and regulation, I’ve been living it.”
Who he likes in Congress: Alabama Reps. Mo Brooks and Robert Aderholt.
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