Alabama State Senate District 12 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Alabama, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Alabama State Senate District 12 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Alabama State Senate District 12

Keith Kelley defeated Danny McCullars in the general election for Alabama State Senate District 12 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Keith Kelley (R)	73.6	28,786
		Danny McCullars (D)	26.3	10,271
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	49

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,106
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Danny McCullars (D)

Choice between two parties is needed for a republic.

Public education must work.

District values will come with me to Montgomery.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Danny McCullars (D)

Health. Alabama is one of twelve states not expanding Medicaid and 300,000 lack access to comprehensive care. Health providers (pharmacists, nurse practitioners, etc have a vital role in ensuring access and affordable care. Public Education. The Legislature must demand school boards and the department of education are transparent and engaging. Public education is the greatest opportunity for wide ranging success, but accountability must be front of mind and districts must engage at high levels.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Danny McCullars (D)

MLK. Courage without regard to personal sacrifice. Some things are bigger than the individual.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Danny McCullars (D)

“It Was All a Lie” Evolution of GOP from 1980-2018 book.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Danny McCullars (D)

Ensuring access to government services. Representing the values of constituents. Use expertise to keep fiscal house in order.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Danny McCullars (D)

Distaste of government waste, fraud, and ambivalence. Overreach in personal lives.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Danny McCullars (D)

Careful thought and consideration. Ensuring agencies are led by dynamic, qualified people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Danny McCullars (D)

I helped recover a Republic.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Danny McCullars (D)

Moon landing. Five.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Danny McCullars (D)

CPA. Six years.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Danny McCullars (D)

Willy Wonka

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Danny McCullars (D)

Fleetwood Mac Queen

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Danny McCullars (D)

The Governor should be encouraged to have her priorities introduced. However, consensus can only come from vigorous debate.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Danny McCullars (D)

Fielding a qualified workforce therefore recruitment of industry. Increasing intrusion into personal matters by the legislature contributes to the above.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Danny McCullars (D)

Unicameral legislature may push bills through more efficiently, but without proper consideration. The Senate is here to thoughtfully slow things down and see a broader picture.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Danny McCullars (D)

Yes. Having been on the administrative side I see inefficiency and waste. The Alabama legislature should hold agencies much more accountable.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Danny McCullars (D)

Absolutely. This cohesion is how a bill gets properly debated at face value.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Danny McCullars (D)

Independent commission.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Danny McCullars (D)

Health

Governmental Relations Education

Confirmations

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Danny McCullars (D)

Billy Beasley

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Danny McCullars (D)

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Danny McCullars (D)

A story of healthcare bankruptcy. If a sudden serious medical condition strikes, we fail as a society if access is denied because of insurance status.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Danny McCullars (D)

Grant. Emergency powers are by definition an executive function.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Danny McCullars (D)

Enduring policies must have broad based support. Compromise is absolutely necessary but increasingly difficult in these conspiracy days.

See also

More about these elections:

• Alabama State Senate elections, 2022

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