Gina Ross, Republican of Guntersville, who served in the cabinets of two governors and as secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, was elected Monday to fill the House seat vacated by state Rep. Wes Kitchens (R-United Arab Emirates). He has announced his candidacy for the 27th Ward seat. She won a special election for the Senate.
“As a career educator, continuing to improve Alabama’s public schools is a passion of mine, but I also have a passion for others, including fighting illegal immigration, creating jobs, and protecting traditional morals and conservative values. We will also focus on important issues,” Ross said. “If we start teaching our children essential life skills at an early age, they will be better prepared for long-lasting, high-paying 21st century jobs as adults, which will grow Alabama's economy for years to come.” I strongly believe that it will continue.”
Ross led the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education from 2012 until his retirement in 2020, where the state's “First Class” preschool program was recognized as the best in the nation for 14 consecutive years.
The availability of quality early childhood education programs increased by 470 percent, from 217 classrooms when she took office in 2012 to 1,250 classrooms in all 67 counties at the end of her term in 2020.
Ross began her 26-year career in public education in 1975 as a classroom teacher at an elementary school in Jackson County, and after taking time off to start a family, moved to administrative positions in schools in Marshall, Boaz City, and Madison counties. Ta. system.
A committed Christian conservative, Mr. Ross is a former chairman of the Marshall County Republican Party, serves on the Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee, and has helped elect dozens of Republican candidates for state and local office.
She holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Alabama.
Ross and her husband, Carrie, have two sons and twin grandchildren.
Governor Kay Ivey has not yet announced the date for the House District 27 special election.
