Eufaula Tribune Editorial

The lady’s voice at the end of the commercial states, “Billy Beasley. A good man for state senate.”

That’s not just campaign rhetoric. That’s the truth. And that’s one reason we wholeheartedly endorse Mr. Beasley in next week’s Democratic Primary run-off.

Beasley has represented Barbour, Bullock and Russell counties well in the Alabama House since he was first elected in 1998. (He didn’t face opposition in 2002 or ’06.) But he’s not a career politician.

Beasley served in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corp. stationed in San Antonio, Texas, and has owned several small drug stores, including Clayton Drug Company and Clio Drug Company. (At one time he owned Toomer’s Corner Drugs in downtown Auburn – one of the nation’s most famous drug stores.)

Beasley is the past president and a member of Alabama Pharmacy Association, and was the recipient of pharmacy’s most prestigious award, the Bowl of Hygeia. When the Alabama House is not in session, he can usually be found at one of the two drug stores filling a prescription or talking with a concerned constituent.

He has worked closely with the Barbour County Commission, Eufaula City Council and other governing bodies when needed. And it’s not uncommon to see him at community events. He supports RSVP of Barbour County, city and county schools and other community organizations – even when it’s not election time.

We haven’t always agreed with Beasley on the issues. But he’s always been honest and upfront with us when discussing why he voted the way he did. And unlike many politicians, he returns our phone calls.

He’s earned our respect, and the respect of those in his house district. We have no doubt he would do the same thing if elected to the state senate.

We believe Mr. Beasley would work well with members of both political parties for the betterment of this district and the state. He certainly wouldn’t embarrass us.

However, we can’t say the same thing about his challenger, Johnny Ford. The long-time mayor from Tuskegee has foolishly brought racism into this campaign, and also made allegations against the Beasley campaign that he has yet to prove.

Ford says he should be elected because he is black, and the district is “majority-minority.” We disagree. Black voters should choose who they think will be the best candidate – regardless of race. Mr. Beasley has been a good representative for blacks and whites. He would do the same as a senator.

The choice is clear next Tuesday. Beasley is the best man for Barbour County, District 28 and the State of Alabama.

We encourage all voters to go the polls Tuesday. There have been many instances where the favored candidate has failed to win a run-off election because his or her supporters mistakenly thought there was no way the challenger could win.

While Beasley received nearly twice as many votes as Ford last month, they both start at zero this Tuesday. The candidate who does the best job of mobilizing his supporters could easily be the winner. That’s why supporters of Mr. Beasley need to return to the polls if they want him to win his party’s nomination.
-PJ