The Alabama Forestry Association Announces Its Slate of Judicial Endorsements for 2026

From the Alabama Forestry Association

Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) announces its slate of judicial endorsements for the 2026 election cycle. The following candidates have earned the endorsement of

AFA’s ForestPAC: for Supreme Court, Brad Mendheim, and Greg Shaw; for the Court of Civil Appeals, Matt Fridy and Ben Bowden; and for the Court of Criminal Appeals, Mary Windom and Beth Kellum.

Mendheim has served on the Supreme Court since 2018. He previously served as a Circuit Court Judge and a District Judge. He earned his juris doctorate from Cumberland School of Law.

Shaw was first elected to the Court of Criminal Appeals in 2001 and went on to be elected to the Supreme Court in 2009. He is a graduate of Cumberland School of Law and earned his Master of Laws from Virginia School of Law.

Fridy was elected to the Court of Civil Appeals in 2021. Prior to his election to the Court, he served in the House of Representatives from 2014 – 2020. He earned his juris doctorate from the Cumberland School of Law.

Bowden was recently appointed to the Court of Civil Appeals. Previously, he served as a Circuit Judge for Covington County Place 2. He also previously served as Covington County’s Probate Judge. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law.

Windom is currently the Presiding Judge over the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. She has served the Court since 2008. She previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of Alabama. She earned her law degree from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law at Faulkner University.

Kellum has served on the Court of Criminal Appeals since 2009. Prior to being elected, she worked as a staff attorney for the court beginning in 1997. Kellum earned her undergraduate and law degree from the University of Alabama.

“One of AFA’s founding principles is supporting and upholding the Rule of Law” said Chris Isaacson, AFA President and CEO. “And each one of these judges has an excellent track record of supporting a fair and balanced legal system. We are pleased to have judges in our State that understand the direct impact they have on Alabama’s businesses and are familiar with forestry and its role in fostering Alabama’s rural economy.

The Primary Election for the 2026 election cycle will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

The Alabama Forestry Association represents Alabama’s forestry community with membership that includes forest products manufacturers, landowners, loggers, wood dealers, foresters, consultants, and others involved in forestry. AFA is dedicated to protecting and improving the business, regulatory and legal environment for landowners and forest business owners to ensure the sustainable growth of Alabama’s forests and forest industry.

Forests cover more than two-thirds of the state and provide raw material for Alabama’s second largest manufacturing industry. Forestry provides $36 billion total economic output to the state’s economy. To learn more, visit: https://www.alaforestry.org/.