FROM STAFF REPORTS

Shelby resident and local journalist Donald Mottern has officially announced his candidacy for the Alabama state Senate District 11 seat.

Mottern, a former writer with the Shelby County Reporter whose work has been recognized by the Alabama Press Association, opened his announcement by speaking on the current public perception of the state.

“I have called this state my home for nearly my entire life,” Mottern said. “Through all that time, I’ve listened to the same conversations—year after year, election after election—about how our state is talked about, how our leaders act and why Alabama always seems to be fighting for single shreds of dignity at the back of the line instead of leading from the front.”

Promising to focus only on local issues, Mottern positioned his campaign as one working for those who, “just want a fair shake, a safe community and the freedom to live life on their own terms—without a congress or a governor demanding a seat at their kitchen table with subsequent strokes of their pens.”

“I have never been a partisan of party politics,” Mottern said. “I have always been a partisan of principles. Principles that unite all of us. I believe, wholeheartedly, in the core freedoms that define America and that I believe define Alabama—the freedom of speech, the freedom of worship and the freedom from government interference in how we raise our kids, make a living and go about our lives.”

Mottern’s speech was critical of recent state-level education and library policies, including legislation limiting student phone access and Republican-led efforts aimed at limiting library content.

“I think it’s abhorrent that our government finds it appropriate to tell independent and public library boards, by order, what they can and cannot provide to their own communities,” Mottern said. “We should also not be passing laws requiring students to be stripped of their phones in schools. Especially in a world where that access to communication may save their lives in the event of a school shooting or unfolding emergency.”

Mottern, who is running under the Democratic party banner, also singled out infrastructure as a key focus of his campaign, pointing to Alabama’s lack of a dam safety inspection program, deteriorating roads, stormwater runoff issues, water pollution and stalled trains that cause delays in cities like Calera.

“We need leadership that cares less about soundbites and sideshows and more on the real issues,” Mottern said. “Public services are underfunded in this state. Our money is routinely misspent and it is being dedicated to prop-issues that those in Montgomery desperately hope keep Alabamians distracted while they let us fall apart.”

Calling for new voices in state government, Mottern emphasized that his campaign would reject national talking points and focus instead on the daily concerns of residents in St. Clair, Talladega and Shelby counties.

“My campaign will be rooted in one truth,” Mottern said. “The people of Alabama are not helpless. We are not a punchline. We know that we can do better and we know well enough that those who have remained at the helm of the system for decades will never fix what they broke.”

In closing his announcement, Mottern also pledged his full and unwavering support for emergency service workers, stressing the importance of maintaining the healthcare and lifetime death benefits for firefighters.

“The people of District 11 deserve a senator who cares about our firefighters and understands that the benefits they’ve earned through selfless service are not something we should roll back when they are needed most,” Mottern said.

Mottern then ended his remarks with a direct appeal to voters that framed the 2026 election as a chance to chart a new course.

“It’s going to be an uphill fight, but it’s a fight that I intend to win in 2026, with your help,” Mottern said. “If you believe it’s time for a new kind of leadership—one grounded in principles, not politics—then I’m asking for your support.”

Those interested in learning more about Donald Mottern’s candidacy can reach out to him directly via email at motternforalabama@gmail.com or visit his campaign website at Motternforalabama.com.

District 11 includes parts of Shelby, St. Clair and Talladega counties and is currently represented by Republican Sen. Lance Bell who took office following his election in 2022.