Patch Q&A: Pruet Qualifies As Libertarian In Alabama House District 61 Race

NORTHPORT, AL — Data analyst and IT professional Damon Pruet has officially qualified to appear on the Nov. 8 General Election ballot in the race for the soon-to-be open Alabama House of Representatives seat in District 61, which covers parts of Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties.

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The Alabama Libertarian Party, on the eve of the May 24 primary on Tuesday, submitted qualifying paperwork last week for 69 candidates in different races around the state, with Pruet being No. 51 to get the green light.

Pruet will now face off against Republican nominee and retired Northport Police Department Captain Ron Bolton in the General Election, after he won the GOP Primary on Tuesday with 59% of the Republican vote in the district.

There will not be a Democrat on the Nov. 8 ballot, as none qualified to run. The winner of the General Election will then be sworn in to the seat that will be vacated by State Rep. Rodney Sullivan — a Northport Republican who opted against running for a second term in the legislature.

Patch caught up with Pruet for a quick question-and-answer session to get to better know the candidate and here's what he had to say.

Damon Pruet

Age: 40

Professional experience: Data analyst working in the oil & gas industry for the last 10 years; prior to that, IT professional in the transportation industry for eight years.

Education:

• Attended John Carroll High School in Birmingham
• Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science – Network Infrastructure from Jefferson State Community College
• Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from The University of Alabama
• Master of Science in Operations Management (specialization in Supply Chain Networks) from The University of Alabama.

Other notables: "I'm a member of the American Society for Quality and a member of Safe Haven Church in Northport. I was married for 11 years before my wife, Kristy, passed in August 2021. I have an 18 year-old son who recently graduated Tuscaloosa County High School (class of 2022) and will be attending Mississippi State University in the fall."

Q: Why did you decide to run for office?

PRUET: "It doesn’t take an analytical mind to see that people everywhere are struggling in today’s world, especially here in Alabama. We live in uncertain times. I’ve been a professional problem-solver for most of my adult life, and I’m not afraid of tackling issues head-on. I’m running to bring light to the issues of District 61 and to find solutions that actually work for the people and ease their burden."

Q: What, in your view, makes you qualified to serve?

PRUET: "I know how to listen, I have almost 20 years of experience earning a living from solving the problems of others, I work well with other people, and I’m genuinely motivated to help others. I’d say that makes me more qualified than a lot of the elected officials in this country. I also have enough education in economics and supply chains that I understand the causes of inflation."

Q: What is the biggest individual issue facing House District 61?

PRUET: "Inflation. Few things devastate an economy and a community as thoroughly as rapidly-rising prices, especially for communities where a lot of the better-paying jobs are in manufacturing or production. The biggest problem with inflation in our current economy is that the prices that are going up the fastest are energy and food, which are the two sectors that hit hardest for low-income and middle-class families."

Q: If elected, what will be the first thing you will do once in office?

PRUET: "If elected, the first thing I would do is tackle the inflation problem head-on. There are several ways that relief can be provided locally just by reducing tax burdens to Alabamians. I would propose bills to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries and to permanently ban property tax reappraisals in non-appraisal years immediately. I also have a few ideas that I’m still researching on potential ways to ease the tax burdens on the trucking and transportation providers in the state so that they can invest in more equipment and drivers. Keep the trucks and barges moving, and you’ll see some of the supply chain issues contributing to inflation start to get better."

Q: What is something about House District 61 that you are particularly proud of?

PRUET: "The spirit of compassion, community, and the resilience of the people. The last few years have been especially tough for all of us, and I am constantly humbled by the selflessness and compassion that I’ve repeatedly witnessed and personally experienced when a family struggles with the loss of a loved one or a home, or is facing a tough diagnosis, and how the people of this community and this district come through tough times with their faith and hope and compassion intact. I grew up in the city limits of Birmingham, and I’m here to tell you, I saw compassion and selflessness, but nothing on the level of what I witness every day here."

Q: What is the most common concern you've heard from constituents on the campaign trail?

PRUET: "Honestly, I’m just starting to hit the campaign trail since I just filed to run last week, but I’m about to start burning up the stretch of Highway 82 going to Pickens County and listen to what the needs of those communities are. I made a great new friend this week who gave me some perspective on the concerns and needs of that area, and I now know that healthcare access in the rural communities is a huge concern. I’m eager to get my boots on the ground in Pickens County so I can listen to their concerns and start digging into the problem. The one issue that I’ve heard repeatedly since before I decided to run how badly inflation is hurting people."

Q: In terms of statewide issues, which ones will you immediately begin work once in office?

PRUET: "Again, inflation is critical. It’s got to be addressed. Beyond that, I want to advocate for ways that private sector solutions are found for public issues whenever possible. The truth is that a lot of the causes of our current inflation were actually government solutions to other problems. Limited government leads to better solutions, because you will never get efficient solutions by a group of people who can decide to take more of your money with a majority vote."

Q: How would you approach working with the local legislative delegation?

PRUET: "The same way I work with any cross-functional team in my current job: I would sit down and listen to their goals, needs, and initiatives. After that I would explain my own goals, needs, and initiatives, and identify the areas where the goals are aligned. At that point, we would develop a project scope and project plan, and get to work, with regular check-ins to address any concerns or conflicts or delays. Listening, planning, and problem solving aren’t incredibly complicated."

Q: How do you plan to work with the municipalities and governmental bodies in District 61, like the City of Northport and the Tuscaloosa County Commission?

PRUET: "If elected, my official title would be “Representative” as I am representing the people of my district, and that’s exactly how I will see it in any dealings with municipalities and governmental bodies. I will proactively be reaching out to those governmental bodies and introduce myself in the coming weeks, and I will also support and work with them whenever possible to help meet the needs and protect the rights of the people of District 61. Having said that, I will candidly state at the outset that my duty is to the people rather than the governmental bodies, so they should not expect my cooperation on any initiative that benefits some communities in the district at the expense of others, or in any initiative that I believe violates the rights of any individual in the district."

Q: Above all else, why should the voters of District 61 vote for you?

PRUET: "I think people are tired of voting for the person they enjoy drinking coffee with and instead want to vote for the person that can listen to what they say and go do something about it, and I truly believe I’m that candidate. I’m a firm believer in the principles of liberty, and I will never act to infringe upon any rights of any individual. I know how to think outside the box and I find plenty of solutions to plenty of problems that way. I appreciate everyone’s time and consideration in learning about me and considering me as their District 61 Representative."

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