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McDaniel will not seek another term
Published December 12, 2009
A consistent leader in the Alabama House of Representatives for almost two decades, Democrat Frank McDaniel announced plans Friday not to run for re-election to a sixth term in District 26.
“I appreciate the support and encouragement from so many people, both Democrat and Republican,” the Albertville legislator said. “I am beginning my 20th year in the Legislature and feel I need to be in position to spend more time with family and personal projects after completion of this term in November 2010.”
McDaniel, 72, has championed a number of causes during his time in office, including state parks, highway projects, technical education opportunities, economic development, the Albertville Regional Airport, recycling and methamphetamine restrictions.
“I have made every effort to serve in a manner that benefits District 26, Marshall and DeKalb counties, and the state of Alabama,” he said. “I want to thank the public for their vote and support through the years, and I pledge to work just as hard this next year ending with the election in November 2010.”
McDaniel plans to continue working on legislation for additional restrictions of precursors for crystal meth, the establishment of an electronic database to track ephedrine purchases and a child custody bill addressing when a parent is deployed in the military.
McDaniel presently serves as chair of the House Commerce Committee and chairs a number of joint House and Senate committees. The veteran lawmaker has served in a leadership position as either a chairman or a vice chairman during each of his terms.
McDaniel is co-founder of Marshall County Community Corrections and has received numerous awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Legislator by the Alabama Realtors, the Alabama Rural Electric Association and four times by the People Against a Littered State.
This year, McDaniel received awards and recognition from the Marshall County Manufacturing Association, the Alabama Association of Regional Councils and the Alabama Wildlife Federation.
‘Stand up for what is right’
McDaniel indicated his decision now may help others decide on whether or not to run in District 26.
“I’ve never seen people come out for office so early as they are now and, with that going as it is, I needed to give an opportunity for the right people to come out,” he said. “Our local legislative delegation has worked extremely well together and is looked upon favorably in Montgomery because of the unity and experience in studying the issues.
“It is important to send someone to Montgomery that can work well with the delegation for the best benefit of the district. I encourage everyone to look long and hard at those who offer to serve in the Legislature and to support someone who will face the issues and represent all the people in the district, without just taking the view of the political party, and who will stand up for what is right.”
McDaniel is married to Pat McDaniel. They have two sons: David, who lives in Florida, and, Don, who lives in Albertville. The McDaniels have three grandchildren.
McDaniel and his wife moved to Boaz in 1973 from Florence. He had worked in the computer industry for 15 years and was a sales manager for Burroughs Corporation, which is now Unisys. McDaniel said he “always wanted to own his own business,” so he bought a franchise and operated McDaniel Tom’s Peanut Sales Inc., a snack food business. He sold controlling interest to his son, Don, and retired in August 2000.
First elected to the Legislature in 1990, McDaniel said he “almost didn’t run three years ago,” but he was in the middle of ongoing U.S. 431 and Alabama 75 highway projects and wanted to help the Albertville aviation project and the higher level of training available there.
‘Help when called upon’
McDaniel said he intends to remain involved in plans to improve the future for Sand Mountain residents.
“I want to continue to work on local issues, some economic development issues and I’m very passionate about our airport,” he said. “I think that project can make a difference, and I want to continue to give that whatever attention it needs. My interest is just to be a supporter and to help when called upon.”
McDaniel said his fondest memories of serving in the Legislature involved tackling tough issues.
“I think about two or three of the hardest issues, and I have some satisfaction because I feel like I was making a difference,” he said.
Those issues included:
• The rewrite of the Alabama Worker’s Compensation law. “We worked to bring all the people to the table to make that happen. We [Alabama] were losing all the insurance carriers that would write the business and, as a result of the new law, we had a more equitable way to resolve employment issues that was better for the employee, and the employer and companies could get insurance at a lower cost.”
• The 2005 law that “helped law enforcement with the crystal meth problem. That law helped by stopping the precursor ingredients to meth being available to the public over the counter. Tighter restrictions have slowed the production of meth.”
• His “concern and passion for the Alabama State Park System. I looked at it not just about our local parks, but we wanted to help all the parks throughout the system. Our local park is a prime park in the system, but upgrading all the facilities has been good for all of Alabama.”
Despite many successes, McDaniel said the wheels of progress sometimes turn too slow in Montgomery.
“It is disappointing that it takes so long for things to happen in Montgomery,” he said. “I never intended for the state parks to be a career project. I’m still disappointed that we have delays in the Gulf State Park project. We’re in our third round of lawsuits with the same individual. It will be resolved in our favor, I think, but the lawsuits are accomplishing just what he wants – more delay.”
McDaniel’s retirement plans include traveling more with his wife and playing golf.
“Pat and I enjoy traveling and we want to take more motor home trips, to Auburn football games and elsewhere,” he said. “I look forward to playing more golf and enjoying our home on Lake Guntersville. I may see if someone will help me learn to fish.”
Publisher Ben Shurett contributed to this report.
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