While State Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb, has not formally announced she will be seeking re-election, her fundraising efforts will begin in earnest next week with a little star power.
Country music artists John Anderson and Lorrie Morgan will perform at the BamaJam Music Festival grounds in Coffee County as part of a fundraising effort for Smith, hosted by Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley and several others. A flyer for the Dec. 8 event states that admission is $10 per person and is open to everyone. The event begins at 7 p.m. All proceeds will go to Smith’s 2010 Senate campaign.
“I haven’t officially announced yet, but do have several fundraisers scheduled, beginning with this one,” Smith said.
More than 70 other individuals, including 24 Wiregrass mayors, are listed as hosts on the event invitation.
Smith said she remains personally opposed to the gambling aspect of the Country Crossing development. She initially introduced legislation that would have killed electronic gaming in Houston County, but pulled the bill less than two weeks later, citing overwhelming response from her constituents.
Smith said her personal feelings about gaming would not keep her from supporting potential legislation that would bring the issue to a statewide referendum.
“I have always been opposed to gambling. I don’t feel that’s any secret,” Smith said. “But this is a confusing issue. It has been in the courts. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are being spent on legal expenses. If the issue is not clarified before we go into the legislative session, I believe there will be bills that come up. Hopefully the Legislature will draft a good bill to allow the people to vote.”
Smith was elected to the Alabama Senate in 1998. She said she was particularly proud of helping locate funds to assist volunteer fire departments in District 29, and also mentioned recent appropriations for a paved parking lot at Samson High School, school supplies for several Dale County Schools, improvements to the Ashford High School auditorium, and improvements to athletic facilities at Dothan High, Rehobeth and Cottonwood as well as other schools.
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