State Sen. Wes Kitchens was sworn in as a member of the Alabama State Senate today at the Marshall County Courthouse. This comes just two weeks after the special primary election for Senate District 9, in which Kitchens avoided a runoff and did not face a challenger in the general election.

Mr. Kitchens (R-Arab) currently represents Blount, Madison, and Marshall counties in the Senate and is the former Senate Majority Leader in the upper chamber of the Alabama General Assembly ahead of the Feb. 6 opening of the 2024 state Legislature. He is taking over the seat from House Leader Clay Schofield.

“We are very excited to welcome Wes Kitchens to the Alabama Senate,” said Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper).

“Senator Kitchens has proven to be a champion of Alabama's values ​​and has consistently demonstrated passion and ability to serve his constituents well. I look forward to working with him in this new role. I look forward to continuing to make Alabama the best state in the country to call home.”

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The Alabama Senate Republican Caucus noted that his two terms in the Alabama House of Representatives will serve him well in his new role. Mr. Kitchens previously served as vice chair of the Alabama Republican Congressional Caucus and co-chair of the Alabama Pre-K Committee. Kitchens is the head of the Marshall County Republican Party.

“The Senate Republican Caucus is proud to welcome a strong conservative like Wes Kitchens to the Alabama Senate,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro).

“Wes brings a proven track record of deep-rooted commitment to conservative values. We look forward to working with Sen. Kitchens to champion and defend the principles that define this state. Masu.”

Before becoming a member of Congress, Mr. Kitchens was president of the Arab Chamber of Commerce, where he focused on workforce and community development.

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“I want to thank the voters of Blount, Madison and Marshall counties,” said Sen. Kitchens. “We live in a great part of the state, blessed with high-quality schools, safe communities, and a growing economy. My daily job is to continue the great work of my friend, Sen. Clay Schofield. I want to help local leaders make north Alabama a better home for all of us.”

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270