State politics is something that has always interested Jamie Kiel and when he heard that an incumbent would not be running in the District 18 Alabama House race, he decided the time was right for him.

“When Johnny Mack (Morrow, D-Red Bay,) announced he was not running for re-election but running for the Alabama Senate, this was the time to run,” said Kiel, a Russellville businessman. “For the first time in 28 years, there is no incumbent. The race is wide open.”

Kiel is the first candidate to announce his intentions on seeking the position. He is seeking the Republican nomination in the June 5, 2018, election.

“I hope this is a time to flip the district (from being a Democratic district) to a Republican (district),” Kiel said.

The seat Kiel is seeking covers portions Franklin, Colbert and Lauderdale counties.

“Geographically, this district is huge,” he said. “I started in April, and I’ve been out getting around, going to various meetings and places, meeting with as many groups and people that I can.”

He has owned Kiel Equipment in Russellville for 22 years. He started the business, which serves customers in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, selling and leasing mowers, tractors, and other heavy duty equipment, while working toward a management and marketing degree from the University of North Alabama.

“I am a businessman. I have balanced my budget, met payroll and made ends meet,” he said. “What Montgomery needs is a common-sense, conservative businesslike approach. That is what I intend to do.

“If elected, I look forward to the challenge. I think there are some business-minded people in Montgomery and working together we can bring in more jobs to the state and the region.”

Kiel is not new to community issues. He is a member of the Franklin County Broadband Taskforce, and has served on the SACS Accreditation and the Federal Monitoring Committees for the Franklin County school system and is active in other community events, organizations and functions.

He and his wife, Melissa, have three daughters — Sarah Kate, Audrey Claire, and Lydia Grace. The children attend Tharptown School, where his wife is a teacher.

The family is actively involved at Tharptown Baptist Church, where Kiel has served as the music director for 20 years.

“I thought long and hard about this (before I decided to run),” Kiel said. “I have never ran anything but my business, but I have learned a lot in dealing with the public for 22 years. And me and my family are looking forward to this.”

Originally published by Times Daily.