Penn endorses Beasley

State Sen. Myron Penn has endorsed Rep. Billy Beasley in the Democratic runoff for Senate District 28.
Penn, D-Union Springs, is not running for a third consecutive term.
Beasley is in a runoff with former Tuskegee mayor and former state Rep. Johnny Ford, who recently won the endorsement of the Alabama New South Coalition.
The runoff is July 13.
Beasley finished well ahead of a pack of Democratic candidates, but did not have enough votes to claim a majority, which is necessary to avoid a runoff.
"Over the last decade I have worked closely with Billy Beasley and I know he will work tirelessly for all the people of this senate district," Penn said in a statement. "He is a man of character who will continue to move this district forward through the issues that we will face over the next four years. Billy and I have discussed redistricting, which will likely come up in the Senate, and we have agreed to work together to ensure that the makeup and demographics of Senate District 28 will remain fair."
Ford has said he wants the senator for the district to remain black. Penn is black while Beasley is a sitting white legislator and pharmacist from Clayton.
District 28 includes Barbour, Bullock, Henry, Lee, Macon, and Russell counties.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Pat Dye endorses Senate candidate

Former Auburn football Coach Pat Dye endorsed state Senate candidate Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, on Thursday.
Beasley is running for state Senate District 28, which is currently represented by Sen. Myron Penn.
Penn, D-Union Springs, is not running for a third term.
District 28 includes all or part of Barbour, Bullock, Henry, Lee, Macon and Russell counties.
Dye also recorded a radio announcement for Beasley, who is currently a member of the Alabama House of Representatives.
"I have known Billy Beasley for a long time and know what kind of man he is," Dye said. "I plan on voting for Billy for the state Senate on June 1st and hope you will too. He will be a good senator for all folks in District 28."
The other Democratic candidates are state Rep. Locy "Sonny" Baker of Abbeville, Howard C. Burton of Tuskegee, former Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford, and Sam Harris of Auburn. Republican Kim West is also running.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen