By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

Dr. Jim McClendon will continue serving in the Alabama Legislature as a state senator. McClendon won the seat for the recently redrawn Senate District 11 with more than 80 percent of votes as of 10:45 p.m. on Nov. 4.

McClendon served as a state representative for Alabama House District 50 since 2002. He won the Republican nomination for the State Senate District 11 seat defeating the incumbent Jerry Fielding with 65.5 percent of the vote in the June 3 primary election.

A committed Republican, McClendon and ran on a platform of conservative values, including protection of Second Amendment rights and opposition to Obamacare.

“I am committed to a conservative philosophy that defends the Second Amendment, supports traditional marriage, protects the unborn and believe Obamacare will hurt our healthcare system and kill Alabama jobs,” McClendon wrote in a personal message regarding his platform.

McClendon defeated Democrat opponent and Pell City resident Ron Crumpton, who received nearly 20 percent of votes as of 10:45 p.m. on Nov. 4.

“I’m not going away, I’m going to continue to fight,” Crumpton said in a Nov. 4 phone interview. “This is an end to the campaign, but with each end comes new beginnings.”

State Senate District 11 previously included Calhoun, Coosa, Elmore and Talladega counties. As a result of redrawn lines, McClendon will now represent part of Shelby County as District 11 Senator.

McClendon could not be reached for comment as of 10:45 p.m. on Nov. 4.