By Jeff Helms

MONTGOMERY, Ala., Feb. 12 — FarmPAC, a political action committee of the Alabama Farmers Federation, today announced endorsements for the 2018 primary election.

The endorsements followed a full day of meetings, during which Republican and Democratic candidates for statewide office met with Federation county leaders from across the state. Each candidate was given 10 minutes to address the more than 80 FarmPAC Advisory Trustees and answer questions on issues ranging from taxes and regulation to judicial philosophy and traditional values.

“This meeting is one of the most important we hold,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “I’ve been told by candidates the auditorium where FarmPAC meets is one of the most intimidating rooms in Alabama — not because of our leaders’ attitudes, but because they represent some of the most influential and active people in the state.”

County Federation leaders also have met with candidates for the Alabama Legislature and Alabama State Board of Education. Endorsements in those races are being announced locally and will be included in the Federation’s June edition of Neighbors magazine.

Candidates endorsed by FarmPAC are

• Governor — Kay Ivey (R)
• Lieutenant Governor — Will Ainsworth (R)
• Attorney General — Alice Martin (R)
• Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries — Rick Pate (R)
• Secretary of State — John Merrill (R)
• State Treasurer — John McMillan (R)
• State Auditor — Jim Zeigler (R)

• Alabama Supreme Court, Chief Justice — Lyn Stuart (R)
• Alabama Supreme Court, Place 1 — Brad Mendheim (R)
• Alabama Supreme Court, Place 2 — Tommy Bryan (R)
• Alabama Supreme Court, Place 3 — Will Sellers (R)
• Alabama Supreme Court, Place 4 — Jay Mitchell (R)
• Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Place 1 — Christy Edwards (R)
• Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Place 2 — Terri Thomas (R)
• Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Place 3 — Terry Moore (R)
• Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1 — Richard Minor (R)
• Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2 — Chris McCool (R)
• Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3 — Bill Cole (R)

• Alabama Public Service Commission, Place 1 — Jeremy Oden (R)
• Alabama Public Service Commission, Place 2 — Chris “Chip” Beeker Jr. (R)

• United States House of Representatives, District 1 — Bradley Byrne (R)
• United States House of Representatives, District 2 — Martha Roby (R)
• United States House of Representatives, District 3 — Mike Rogers (R)
• United States House of Representatives, District 4 — Robert Aderholt (R)
• United States House of Representatives, District 5 — Mo Brooks (R)
• United States House of Representatives, District 6 — Gary Palmer (R)
• United States House of Representatives, District 7 — Terri Sewell (D)