Alabama Stands at a Crossroads

Guest Opinion by Dr. Stewart Tankersley, Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama

Last month I launched my campaign for Lieutenant Governor because Alabama stands at a crossroads.

Here in Alabama, we believe a life well lived is a life spent serving others. That belief has guided my life. I have served our country as a Colonel and Army physician, deploying three times to care for the brave men and women defending our freedom. My faith has taken me around the world as a missionary, serving those in need and living out God’s calling for my life. And back home in Montgomery, I have spent decades caring for families through some of the most important moments in their lives.

As a husband and a father, I believe strong families are the foundation of strong communities. That is not just something I say. It is something I live. It is also why I have chosen to step forward and run for this office at this moment in time.

Families across our state are working hard, doing their best, and still feeling the pressure of rising costs, declining health outcomes, and a government that has lost touch with the middle class. We can keep going down the same path, or we can choose a better direction.

The first priority is clear. We must make Alabama more affordable. The cost of living continues to rise, whether it is groceries, fuel, housing, or healthcare, and those pressures are hitting working families the hardest. Government should not be adding to that burden. It should be focused on responsible spending, lowering costs where possible, and creating an environment where families and small businesses can thrive- not the continued dominance of the well entrenched in Montgomery.

At the same time, we cannot ignore the reality that Alabama continues to struggle with poor health outcomes. As a physician, I have seen this firsthand. Chronic disease, preventable illness, and limited access to care are affecting families across our state every day. If we are serious about building a stronger Alabama, we must also build a healthier Alabama by focusing on prevention, improving food quality, and supporting common-sense public health solutions. During the COVID catastrophe, public health entities revealed that they are not seeking to make Alabama healthier, as your Lieutenant Governor I will help reverse the obvious decline.

I also believe deeply that government must be held accountable. During my time serving on the Alabama Ethics Commission, I worked to ensure that government remained accountable to the people it serves. But in recent years, especially during the very recent COVID pandemic, we lost our way. Debate was shut down. Common sense was ignored. People were told to comply rather than question. Government grew more intrusive while Alabamians suffered and there has been no inkling of course correction by our legislature.

That was and is wrong!

I spoke up. I asked the hard questions. I demanded accountability, because leaders should always answer to the people. Public service means standing up when it matters most, even when it is not easy.

My approach is grounded in the conservative principles that have long defined our state. I believe in limited government, personal responsibility, faith, and the importance of strong families and communities. Government should do a few things and do them well, and it should always remain accountable to the people it serves.

I am not a career politician. I am a soldier, a missionary, and a doctor who has spent my life serving others. And I believe Alabama deserves leadership that is grounded in faith, service, and accountability.

I am not running to maintain the status quo. I am running because I believe Alabama has an opportunity to move forward with a renewed focus on affordability, health, accountability, and the values that bring us together. As your Lieutenant Governor I will be the presiding officer over the state senate and I commit to a transparency like we've never seen before: I commit to explaining every week during the legislative session how the sausage is being made from the front row seat.

Alabama is a strong state with strong people. With the right leadership, we can reduce the burden on families, improve health outcomes, begin to restore trust in government, and build a future that reflects the best of who we are.

For more information on Dr. Stewart Tankersley and his campaign for Lt. Governor, visit https://stewarttankersley.com or follow him on social media.

Opinions do not reflect the views and opinions of ALPolitics.com. ALPolitics.com makes no claims nor assumes any responsibility for the information and opinions expressed above.