Korey Wilson

Korey Wilson (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Alabama State Senate to represent District 7. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Wilson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Korey Wilson was born in Huntsville, Alabama. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Montevallo in 2014.^[1]

Elections

2022

General election

General election for Alabama State Senate District 7

Incumbent Sam Givhan defeated Korey Wilson in the general election for Alabama State Senate District 7 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Sam Givhan (R)	62.6	29,095
	Korey Wilson (D)	37.2	17,295
	Other/Write-in votes	0.1	52

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 46,442
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Korey Wilson advanced from the Democratic primary for Alabama State Senate District 7.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sam Givhan advanced from the Republican primary for Alabama State Senate District 7.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

Korey Wilson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wilson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a native Huntsvillian with many years' experience in Community and Political Organizing. My work is focused on improving overall life outcomes of all Alabamians. I believe the keys to achieving this lies in increasing wages and opportunity, eliminating state sales tax on necessities, creating new streams of revenue via a state lottery and cannabis legalization, and preventing brain drain by making vocational and higher education accessible, and creating incentives for new industries to develop in Alabama.

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?

I'm going to legislate for the interests of the people of Alabama. Not the special interests, and not the political elite.
Republicans have had a monopoly on political power in Alabama for over a decade, and have precious little to show for it. Alabamians need public servants who will get results.
The politics of division has done nothing but secure subsidies and tax breaks for wealthy. Alabama suffers dearly for it. It is imperative that every Alabamian understands, that we are better together.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am incredibly passionate about Labor rights, Taxation & Revenue, Child Welfare and Education, and Public Health

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

My inspirations are Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sister Fannie Lou Hamer, Marsha P. Johnson, John R. Lewis, and Andrew Young. These are all leaders who understood that the function of government is first and foremost the preservation of personal freedom, and the administration of laws for the benefit of all citizens

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

John Q, God Committee, Urinetown, Vice, Don't Look Up

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

Trustworthiness, Inclusivity, Accessibility, and Perseverance

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

A strong desire to see everyone succeed, my keen understanding of policymaking, and my unwavering dedication to improving people's lives.

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

Listening to constituents, implementing solutions to problems, reducing harm in communities, preserving equality.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Accessible healthcare, childcare, and education, increased wages and economic activity, and more opportunities for everyone

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

The first historical event that happened in my lifetime was Bill Clinton's impeachment. I was 6 or 7 at the time. The one that has had the most ripples throughout my life would 9/11

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

My first job out of college was working in the Dues Department of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ. I was there for about 4 months before I got a different position, but working for the most politically active labor union in the U.S. changed me forever.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass

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

Try Jesus, Tobe Ngwige

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

I have struggled with clinical depression from a young age, but have managed it, and want to do more advocacy around mental health

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

Ideally the governor has a disposition for the betterment of people's lives, and will throw their lot in with the legislators proposing the most elegant and egalitarian solution

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

I think it is the economy. Right now the median household income in Alabama is $52,000 annually, and per capita it's $28,000. We have got to find a way to put more money into citizens' pockets

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

In my opinion the benefits of unicameral state legislature is that there are fewer roadblocks for popular policy, and constituents will have greater voice in the process. I see few drawbacks to this style of representative government.

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

I believe that it is beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in providing solutions to issues in their community.

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

I absolutely believe that it is beneficial to build relationships with other legislators!

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I wish that legislators were unable to propose maps. That the specific process of redistricting be left to commissions staffed by the public, guided by social and political scientists, and aiming to align with the Polsby-Popper Index

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

I would server honorably on whatever committees to which I am assigned.

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

Rep. Laura Hall

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

Not at this time, 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?

n/a

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

Yes

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

I believe that collaboration is key in ensuring legislation is passed that includes and is for the benefit of all citizens; however, any policy that would disproportionately negatively impact specific groups, or lessen Human Rights is an instant non-starter for me.

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.

External links

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Candidate

Alabama State Senate District 7

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 7, 2022

[show]

Current members of the Alabama State Senate

Leadership

Majority Leader:Steve Livingston

Minority Leader:Bobby Singleton

Senators

District 1

Tim Melson (R)

District 2

Tom Butler (R)

District 3

Arthur Orr (R)

District 4

Garlan Gudger (R)

District 5

Matt Woods (R)

District 6

Larry Stutts (R)

District 7

Sam Givhan (R)

District 8

Steve Livingston (R)

District 9

Wes Kitchens (R)

District 10

Andrew Jones (R)

District 11

Lance Bell (R)

District 12

Keith Kelley (R)

District 13

Randy Price (R)

District 14

April Weaver (R)

District 15

Dan Roberts (R)

District 16

J.T. Waggoner (R)

District 17

Shay Shelnutt (R)

District 18

Rodger Smitherman (D)

District 19

Merika Coleman (D)

District 20

Linda Coleman-Madison (D)

District 21

Gerald Allen (R)

District 22

Greg Albritton (R)

District 23

Robert Stewart (D)

District 24

Bobby Singleton (D)

District 25

Will Barfoot (R)

District 26

Kirk Hatcher (D)

District 27

Jay Hovey (R)

District 28

Billy Beasley (D)

District 29

Donnie Chesteen (R)

District 30

Clyde Chambliss (R)

District 31

Josh Carnley (R)

District 32

Chris Elliott (R)

District 33

Vivian Figures (D)

District 34

Jack Williams (R)

District 35

David Sessions (R)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (8)

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 7, 2022

[1]

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Korey Wilson

Contents

Biography

Elections

2022

General election

General election for Alabama State Senate District 7

Democratic primary election

Republican primary election

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

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