STAFF REPORTS — Heflin businessman Russell Emrick last week announced his candidacy for state Senate Dist. 13, which extends into southern Cherokee County.

Emrick, 41, practices law, engineering and operates a business in Heflin.

Prior to entering self employment, he served eight years the county engineer for Cleburne County.

“I have lived in this district and been a contributing citizen since 1988,” Emrick said in a press release. “I am running as a conservative, rural Democrat."

He added: "I want to see growth in our local communities, I want to see better roads and more local businesses, and I want the children in District 13 to have the opportunity to obtain the best education possible in our communities' schools.”

Emrick said that without a quality education, children fall behind.

“As we enter a global market, educational needs and requirements continue to grow at an ever increasing pace,” he said.

Emrick said also has a keen understanding of the need for additional highway funding in Alabama.

“It's a common-sense approach to move our community forward,” he said. “Roads play a vital role in the overall development of our infrastructure, which in turn impacts local jobs, generates revenue for operating our education system and helps stimulate the overall development of our communities.”