By Marlee Moore

One-on-one conversations in every corner of Alabama have endeared Katie Britt to farmers and working families while strengthening her resolve to be their champion in Washington, D.C. 

Over the past year, the U.S. Senate hopeful has traveled the state listening to, learning from and connecting with locals in all 67 counties. Britt’s special brand of energy and empathy earned her the Alabama Farmers Federation’s FarmPAC endorsement for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat. The Republican primary is May 24.

“Having this endorsement is something I am incredibly grateful for,” said Britt, 40. “Putting the Farmers Federation name next to mine is a big deal. I am going to work hard every day to make this organization proud they supported me.”

Federation members’ values and rural roots hit home with Coffee County native Britt and her husband, Wesley, who grew up in Cullman County and played football at the University of Alabama (UA) before joining the New England Patriots. The Britts are raising their children, Bennett and Ridgeway, in Montgomery, where they attend First United Methodist Church.

“Wesley and I feel like we are part of the farm family,” said Britt, the daughter of two small-business owners from Enterprise. “The values Federation members share are the values we grew up with. It’s been a privilege to get to know them.”

During large- and small-scale events with county leaders and community members, Britt has soaked up lessons about farm practices, prayed with young mothers, sampled regional fare and shared her life experiences while hearing about local successes and struggles.

Her message of putting Alabama first, paring down government overreach and protecting small businesses resonates with members, said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. 

“Katie is real. She understands rural Alabama and the everyday challenges the people of our state face,” Parnell said. “We’re proud to support her vision. Our leaders take these endorsements seriously, and our decision to support Katie is a testament to the time she has spent with members and their belief that she is the leader Alabama needs.”

In the Senate, Britt’s goals include repealing the death tax, protecting constitutional liberties and securing U.S. borders. She promises to help prepare a modern workforce ready to enhance Alabama’s diverse economy, from the military and manufacturing to educators and agriculture. 

Scaling back regulatory burdens is a critical step in that process.

“Getting the government out of the way will be a top priority of mine,” Britt said. “We know our farmers are the absolute best tenants of our land. We don’t need the federal government telling them how to care for their land.”

Britt brings a wealth of experience to the Senate race — but not as a lifelong politician. 

She most recently served as president of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), where she worked through COVID-19 pandemic pains to keep Alabama open and ensure small businesses and agriculture had resources they needed. 

Before joining BCA, Britt was chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, who is retiring this fall. While in Washington, Britt fought for farmers on the 2018 farm bill; helped identify conservative judges for the federal bench; worked on confirming two Supreme Court associate justices; and helped roll back Environmental Protection Agency overreach with repeal of the Waters of the U.S. rule. Britt, a two-time graduate of UA and former student body president, previously practiced law.

Britt said a lifetime of service taught her to listen to others, hear their points of view and help create solutions to build a better tomorrow — for her family and families across Alabama.

“The best thing I can do is listen,” Britt said. “Too often, we have leaders who lecture us. Local people know best. I will listen to Alabamians’ struggles, challenges and opportunities and be an advocate for them so they can pass their land and heritage on to the next generation. My goal is for the people of Alabama to be better because of my service.”