MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — First-term County Commissioner Tom Brandon is taking on challenger Mark Jean in the race for County Commission District One.
Brandon, an incumbent Republican, is going head-to-head against Jean, a Libertarian, on Nov. 5 in this year’s General Election. The former educator and the mechanic turned law enforcement officer are both setting out their vision for the county’s future. News 19 took the time to catch up with both candidates to ask them a few questions before the election.
To see exactly what area District 1 covers, visit the Madison County Commission district map here.
The answers they provided are below, and they have only been edited for grammar and spelling.
1. Please provide a short biography.
Brandon: Finishing my first term as Commissioner of District 1. Previous to that, spent 35 years in education in Madison County. Married with 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Jean: I Graduated HS in 1974. I worked and trained to be an Auto Mechanic. I enjoyed the work. Hard work, with no benefits, I changed career paths and applied and was accepted to be a Deputy Sheriff in Fairfax County. I attended the Northern Virginia Regional Police Academy and did very well. In my 24 years as a Deputy Sheriff, I worked in Operation and the Jail, as well as our Work Release, Material Management, and 6 years in training. The different duties taught me how to work in the systems to better our Agency. I took a 3,000-dollar training budget and developed it into a large training budget that greatly enhanced the skills of our Deputies. I learned how to write budgets working in our Material Management section when in the early 1990s I was responsible for a half-million-dollar inventory of everything from food to firearms. I proposed and secured approval from the Sheriff to start an emergency response team within the Agency. This team reduced both inmate and staff injuries. As an Adjunct instructor and then later hired as the Director of CIVPOL training for The Crucible, I was involved in training thousands of police officers going overseas for the U.S. Department of State. I then again changed career fields and worked in Industrial Security as a contractor for almost another 20 years. Here I managed classified contracts, with this job, I traveled all over the world and well as the US, working with Program Managers to ensure we met all the contract requirements and properly handled all classified material. I retired in 2022.
2. Why are you running for this seat?
Brandon: Continue working with the people of Madison County, especially with District 1.
Jean: I moved here in 2012 and loved the area, the City of Huntsville and the County of Madison. Over the years, I watched the growth and became concerned about how fast we were growing and how the growth was being managed. Once, I retired I was able to attend the Commissioners’ meetings and this is where I decided I should get involved. I feel that there is NO transparency. We as a party have tried to obtain copies of the budget, requested Line-Item accounting, and attended many meetings. The citizens have a right to know what is in the budget, where the money comes from and exactly what is being spent. Every meeting is a like a show. The Commissioners do not listen to the voices of the people. They spend money like it is water, and it appears to me that greed is the driving force, not the will of the citizens. I am also very interested in the Election Process and the County Commissioners in Alabama have complete power as to how the votes are counted. We are spending MILLIONS on voting machines and process that we have ZERO control over. I would like to return us to hand-counting ballots. I have attended training provided by 5stronghsv and know that we the people can manage this process. Not have it hidden such as it is now.
3. How would you describe District 1?
Brandon: District 1 has a wide variety, ranging from rural to large communities. District one has some of the largest farming areas left in the county and several large unincorporated areas like Hazel Green, Meridianville, and New Market.
Jean: District 1 is a great location in Madison County. We have a mix of rural and city life. I see a lot of growth in District 1. I also see a lot of roads that need care.
4. What are two specific things you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
Brandon: We are currently working on bringing a new recreation and community center to District 1. We are also working on a multi-use nature and walking trail for the area.
Jean: Election Integrity and make the office of the Commissioners more responsible to the citizens, not to big biz, and government. The money and the county belong to the citizens, not to those with money.
5. What do you consider the most significant challenges facing Madison County? How would you help address those challenges?
Brandon: Because of the continued growth that the County as a whole is experiencing, we will continue to work on infrastructure and facilities that enhance the live of the people of Madison County.
Jean: Crazy fast growth that does not seem to be managed correctly. We have 1000s of apartments and homes going in. This rapid growth needs to be controlled as well as the infrastructure to support all of new traffic. Already we are having traffic issues on Moores Mill Road that are becoming unsafe. I know people that have complained about it, but to no avail. I also believe that we need to push back against the state to allow the county to force builders to pay for some of the necessary infrastructure required for all the new building.
6. Who has inspired you in your life?
Brandon: I have been blessed to have come from and be a part of family that has always had a strong work ethic and that were always willing to help others.
Jean: God, family and some close friends in my life. Not being afraid to let people into your life.
7. What is something about you that might surprise people?
Brandon: I have taught a number of college-level classes in Costa Rica (Central America) and Tanzania (Africa).
Jean: I am an open book. I love the out of doors, motorcycle riding and traveling. Too many years of Operations and crazy wild things happening in my life. I have lost too many friends in horrific circumstances all over the world.
8. What distinguishes you from the other candidate in the race, why should voters choose you?
Brandon: I have worked in the District 1 area for well over 40 years in one way or another. I am committed to making District 1 and Madison County a better place.
Jean: The other candidate is a member of the good old boys club. I will not be a yes man. I need to review facts, talk to my constituents and to make decisions as to how we should move forward as a county and district. I watch the Commissioners’ meetings and they have 100 percent agreement all the time. This is not the way to run this shop. We need citizen input and to be fully transparent in all things we do. I will work to make transparency happen.
From now until election day, News 19 will feature profiles on candidates in commission races across Madison, Marshall, Morgan and Limestone County.
The general election takes place on November 5. For more information about what is on the ballot in your county, click here.
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