Jamie Haas

Dr. Brendan Beal, assistant professor of social work at UM, has never considered himself a particularly “political” individual; however, in the coming months he expects to become more engaged in the realm of local politics than he has ever been due to his recent election to the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC).  The SDEC is the governing body of the Alabama Democratic party. It consists of two representatives from all 105 State House Districts, with members elected during the Democratic primaries of midterm election years.  Initially, Beal had no intention of running; instead, Montevallo local and fellow SDEC member Cheryl Patton encouraged him to consider the position.   “At first, I told her, ‘no, no way. I don’t want to get involved,’ but then she assured me – and she’s been right so far – that it’s not a big position,” said Beal. “It’s about the smallest elected position there is. I always make the joke that it feels like more people vote for dog catcher than they do this.”  Despite the relative slightness of the position, Beal is eager to watch and learn from the other committee members.   “I’m not ready to pound my fists and say ‘This is what should happen in Alabama!’ because I’m new to Alabama. I’ve been here 2 years,” said Beal. “But this is cool because I’m hearing a lot of smart, passionate people,...