Campaign News

Hilliard stops in Selma |Selma Times-Journal 04/08/2009

State Rep. Earl Hilliard Jr. stopped in Selma Tuesday to assure voters, if elected, he would not forget about the problems plaguing the Black Belt. Hilliard, D-Birmingham, said his top priorities are improving infrastructure and bringing skilled jobs to the region. It starts with providing access to quality education and healthcare, he said.
“It means bringing resources to the Black Belt to help on a lot of different levels,” Hilliard said. “What we have to do is have a coordinated group effort in solving these problems.”
Hilliard announced his campaign Monday in Birmingham for the seat being vacated by Congressman Artur Davis. Although he is not a Selma native, Hilliard said he wanted people to know he is dedicated to learning more about the area and working to improve it.
“I’m here to find out,” he said. “I’m here to learn more, and I’ll be here.”
One way Hilliard hopes to improve the region is through legislation that would make Selma, and the rest of the state, more attractive to filmmakers through incentives. Hilliard said there is no reason for the revenue associated with filmmaking to go to states like Georgia and Louisiana instead of Alabama.
“A place like Selma truly benefits from film incentives,” Hilliard said. “People want to make movies here.”

By: Caleb R. Johnson | Selma Times-Journal
Published Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Earl Hilliard Jr. will seek U.S. House seat once held by his father |Birmingham News 04/06/2009

Earl F. Hilliard Jr., son of former congressman Earl Hilliard of Birmingham, will announce his candidacy today for his father's old seat in the U.S. House.

Hilliard, 39, a first-term member of the state House of Representatives from Birmingham, is scheduled to kick off his campaign for the Democratic nomination to the state's 7th Congressional District seat at Kelly Ingram Park at 10 a.m.

A lawyer and independent film producer, Hilliard grew up watching his father first in the Legislature and later in Congress, where he served for a decade as Alabama's first black member of Congress since Reconstruction.

Hilliard said he could talk about any number of issues facing the district and its next congressman -- the need to improve schools, transportation, health care, water and sewer services, among them -- but almost all of them boil down to one overriding issue: economic development.

"And by economic development, I mean jobs," Hilliard said. "The district has been hard hit by what we're seeing with the economy; mills have closed, and jobs have been lost. I'm committed to work to bring economic development to the district, to work to bring jobs that will help people lead better lives."

The seat is now filled by Democratic U.S. Rep. Artur Davis of Birmingham, who beat Hilliard's father in a hotly contested race in 2002. Davis is giving up the congressional seat to run for governor.

Hilliard Jr. said he's not running for the seat out of some need to avenge his father's loss.

"I've heard some say or write that I need to do this to avenge my father, to take back my father's seat, and that's just not how I look at it," Hilliard said. "I think my father did a lot of good for the district, and he's been my mentor. But I'm not running to take back my father's seat. I'm running because I think I can help more people by being in the Congress. It's the chance to touch more lives."

The race for the district, which runs from downtown Birmingham west to Tuscaloosa and swings south to include Selma and much of the state's Black Belt, is expected to draw a large crowd of contenders. Birmingham lawyer Terri Sewell already has announced she is running, and a host of both county and state lawmakers -- including Sens. Rodger Smitherman and Bobby Singleton, Jefferson County Commissioner Shelia Smoot and former Selma Mayor James Perkins -- have expressed interest in possibly making runs.

Hilliard Named Freshman Legislator of the Year 01/09/2009

MONTGOMERY – Representative Earl Hilliard, Jr. (D-Birmingham) was recently named Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Alabama House Democratic Caucus. The award was announced at the annual caucus retreat held January 9, 2009, in Birmingham.

Hilliard was recognized for his legislation regarding the implementation of safety initiatives for schools and his work with the Alabama Commission to Reduce Poverty. The awards are also based leadership, voting history, and participation during the previous session.

“Assuring that kids learn in a safe and productive environment is one of my top priorities. I am just elated to receive this recognition from my peers,” said Hilliard.

House Majority Leader Ken Guin (D-Carbon Hill) called Hilliard an asset to the Legislature and the state. “Rep. Hilliard is always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty, which is a reflection of his dedication and commitment to his constituents,” said Guin.