Lake View's Lisa Ward Announces Bid For Senate District 21 Seat

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Democrat Lisa Ward has come out as the first challenger to incumbent State Sen. Gerald Allen in his bid for re-election in 2022.

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A resident of Lake View, the 54-year-old describes herself as a "seasoned activist" and longtime political operative. She confirmed to Patch on Thursday that she has yet to officially qualify for the 2022 General Election, but has been raising campaign funds and shoring up support from voters in the largely-conservative district, which covers parts of Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties.

"I’m running because I’m a candidate recruiter who has managed campaigns for decades and after the last election, nothing changed," she told Patch on Thursday. "I couldn’t sleep. Candidates for the people have given up on running in Alabama. For a decade, people have not believed Democrats have had a clear message, but to me the message has been very clear. 'We can’t win. It’s a red state.' And we’ve said it so much, we believe it."

She then said she felt compelled to answer the call and be the candidate she could not find.

"For too long, amazing candidates have stepped up to serve and their seeds fell on hard ground," she said. "I feel like I’m this tiller that has to break up that soil.

"We are one of a handful of states that does not provide basic health care to those living in poverty," she added. “Alabama ranks near the bottom in every educational ranking one can find, and we are one of three states that charge full sales tax on bread, food, and the ‘basic’ necessities of life.”

Ward and her husband Fred — a retired business manager for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades — have been married for 35 years. The couple have three adult children and eight grandchildren.

She has a background in business and legal administration. Before becoming a full-time activist, Ward worked for Cliffs Natural Resources in its asset management division for Global Operation Services.

When examining her main platform issues, they focus on redistricting following the 2020 Census and taking aim at Allen's record of conservative policies. Her opponent is a longtime member of Alabama's Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment, which is currently conducting the reapportionment process.

"There are Goliaths all around me, but what if the guy upstairs wants to see the David in me?" she said. "One sling. One stone. One shot to unseat Gerald Allen for his ineffective two-plus decades of underserving our district … so, if not me, then who and if not now, then when?"

Allen, a 71-year-old Republican from Tuscaloosa, in July announced his plans to run for re-election to represent District 21. He has served in the state legislature since 1994, before securing his Senate seat in 2010 when he unseated incumbent State Sen. Phil Poole, a Democrat.

In the 2018 General Election, Allen cruised to victory over Democrat Rick Burnham with 67% of the vote. In his two re-election bids, Allen has won easily over Democratic challengers with more than 60% of the vote in two elections.

The Democratic Primary for the November General Election is set for May 24, 2022.

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