I’m Andrew Hairston and I’m running for Circuit Judge in the Republican Primary on June 5, 2018, for both Cherokee and DeKalb Counties. I live in DeKalb County and other than a brief stent in Birmingham during law school, I’ve lived here my entire life. It is a privilege for me to be supported by my family and I’m grateful to have them by my side: my wife, Jessi; my father, Andy – who served as a
police officer for over thirty years; my two brothers, Josh & Brandon, and sister, Candace. My mother passed away in September 2016 after a 10+ year battle with breast cancer. Her final prayers were that God would allow her to finish well. Because of my mom’s example “Finish well” has become my life’s prayer, too. I practice law in Cherokee County and DeKalb County and additionally serve as the Judge in Fort Payne and Geraldine. I am also prosecutor for Sylvania and the public defender in Rainsville. Additionally, I serve on several boards and am heavily involved in the community. Every election cycle, people come in and ask for you to vote for them. But where have they been? They make bold promises, give us the normal campaign speech and tell us how they are the “True” conservative candidate. I’ve never been normal, so I refuse to insult your intelligence and offer up “normal” political rhetoric. I love my community too much for that. I want you to know who I am, why I am a conservative and what that means to me. Everything else, is up to you. I became a republican when I was 16 years old. Now, I did not grow up in a political family. But at age 16, I came across Ronald Reagan’s speech from 1976 titled, “A time for Choosing.” In that speech, then Governor Reagan spoke about liberty and the freedom of the “Individual”. He spoke so passionately about our beloved America. How we are a “shining city on a hill.” It was at that point that I found out that Ronald Reagan was a Republican and right there I said, “If this freedom-loving patriot is a Republican, then so am I.”
In my America, the government does not pick the winners and losers. In my America, personal responsibility is not abandoned in exchange for government intrusion. In my America, the government works for the people, and only has the power given to it by the people. I believe you and I, the free people of this country, know better how to live our lives than some politician in Washington knows how to live it for us. I believe that, in America, you have the right to life, peruse liberty and defend your property. I firmly believe that life includes the unborn child. Just like a precious jewel, we must jealously guard our freedoms and liberties. This is why I believe it to be a humble honor to run for Circuit Judge of DeKalb and Cherokee Counties. I believe that Judges should be judges, not legislators. I believe Judges should be honest. I believe judges should be dependable and I believe judges should be leaders of their communities. I pledge to you that I will be fair and just. Regardless of age, gender, race, economic or social status, everyone will be on an equal playing field in the courtroom. We are a nation governed by laws – and because of that I will ensure that the law is applied fairly and equally while working to solve issues that plague our region, such as illegal drugs. If elected, I pledge to confront our drug abuse epidemic head on. In Alabama alone, there were 2,057 deaths from drug overdose from 2013-2015. Even 1 death from drug abuse is 1 too many. It is unacceptable that many of our friends and family members are succumbing to this epidemic. This is not a political talking point or campaign stump speech, this is about our lives – our future – our families. Turning a blind eye to drug addiction ends, today! As your judge, I will push for and support faith-based addiction programs. If you have a loved one struggling with addiction, we are going to get them help. I believe that faith-based programs should be top priority, because when God changes hearts, habits change as well. However, to those who prey on the weak by making and selling illegal drugs, let me be loud and clear, your reign of destruction in our community will come to an end. When law enforcement does their job and secures a conviction on a drug dealer, I believe a judge should do his job, follow the law, and administer swift justice to punish those involved and deter others from similar conduct. The line in the sand to save our community will be drawn once and for all. I’m passionate about my beliefs and passionate about important issues because that’s who I am. But, we need passionate judges. We need honest judges and we need dependable judges. I look forward to being that for you as Circuit Court Judge.
