Alabama State Senate District 21 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 21 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Alabama State Senate District 21

Incumbent Gerald Allen defeated Lisa Ward in the general election for Alabama State Senate District 21 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gerald Allen (R)	66.0	21,962
		Lisa Ward (D)	33.6	11,198
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	132

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 33,292
= 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?

Lisa Ward (D)

Alabama is 1 of 3 states that charge full sales tax on bread, food, and the basic necessities of life. In many counties people pay up to 11% sales tax on baby food, milk and bread. We charge higher taxes on baby formula than we do on feed for a herd of goats. Alabama has a progressive income tax. If you earn $3,000, you owe income taxes in Alabama!

We are ALSO among the worst in the entire country in the performance and the funding of our public schools. But you knew that! Our own Governor said, and I quote her: “Unfortunately, Alabama is at the bottom of just about every educational ranking that you can find.” And according to the US News and World Report, we ARE ranked dead last. We are next to last on math scores. Less than half of school students in grades 3-8 are even skilled in reading and math. Fewer than 40% of 5th and 7th graders are even proficient in science. We rank near the bottom of the country in getting high school graduates ready for college. 3 out of 10 of them must take remedial classes if they even go to college.

Expansion of Medicaid would provide health care to 300,000 people who don’t have it… AND provide a lifeline to rural hospitals on the edge of bankruptcy. Everywhere that expanding Medicaid has been implemented across this country, early deaths and maternal mortality has gone down, while access to doctors and mental health services has gone up. Everywhere. But NOT here. NOT in Alabama. Why? We’ll never know how many die young or will never make it to adulthood. Because they lack access, to a doctor or a routine check-up. But what we DO know… is this. Not one state spends less on health care than Alabama. We are near the bottom in life expectancy! We are one of the worst in infant mortality! And we have been this way for decades.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Lisa Ward (D)

Working to bring rural Alabama back to life. Focusing on leveling the playing field and providing opportunities to all constituents. There's many facets of legislation and public policy that my passions can affect.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (for just one). Ruth set precedent for all women. Several women in the Bible have had positive parables to pattern after. There's many, but being my unique self and being willing to learn and evolve into a better version of myself by gaining wisdom from others is the best example. It's too difficult to be like other people. It's better to work on being my best self.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

For believers... the Bible is a good moral compass guide if one has the wisdom to interpret it with compassion and understanding. To others, it can be the constitution. One must understand it, to represent it. Sometimes too many opinions from others can be harmful when often just a moral compass, a conscience and a willingness to listen and learn can be the best recommendation for someone who wants to understand anyone, not just me.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Integrity. Open dialogue and transparency with constituents. Even if flawed, be authentic with the constituents. It's their tax paying dollars that legislators are making a living from.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Authenticity. Compassion. Transparency. I'm flawed, I admit it. When I'm wrong, I own it. I'm an expert at problem solving and I'm good at bringing people together.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Truth. Fairness. Transparency. Authenticity. Compassion. Sympathy/Empathy. Accountability. Open Dialogue. It is imperative a legislator has a relationship that provides participation and interaction with the constituents they are representing.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Lisa Ward (D)

Making an impact in a manner that improves lives.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

When President Jimmy Carter was elected President. 11-12 years old.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

I was a candy striper that volunteered at our local hospital. (Broadway Methodist Hospital, Merrillville Indiana). I worked summers there. In high school, being part of a Co-Op program, I worked as an HVAC secretary for Air Comfort Corporation and a waitress for Poppin' Fresh Pies Restaurant also in Merrillville, Indiana.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Lisa Ward (D)

Bible has every subject in it. and the Janette Oke Series.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Katniss Everdeen

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

Lisa Ward (D)

I Won't Back Down. Tom Petty Put a Woman in Charge. Keb'Mo

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Lisa Ward (D)

Inequality. Injustices. People hurting all around me and feeling helpless to do something impactful.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

The ability to listen. Compromise. Respect and understand the oath obligates all officials to work for all people of Alabama.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Gridlock. Power. Dark Money. Lack of Transparency and Authenticity. Mistrust and Greed.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

No comment.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Not necessarily.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Yes. We are voted in by our district, but our votes affect constituents in all the other districts.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Lisa Ward (D)

Independent Commission. Outside Assistance.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Yes.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

No.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Not right now. Currently, my focus is helping those that have needs where I am.

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?

Lisa Ward (D)

Too many to tell.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Lisa Ward (D)

I can't remember it.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

That depends on the powers and what kind of emergency.

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

Lisa Ward (D)

Yes.

See also

More about these elections:

• Alabama State Senate elections, 2022

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