Read about Joe Lovvorn's opponent, Mary Wynne Kling, here.
When Joe Lovvorn ran two years ago, his goal was to restore transparency and integrity to the area. Former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, Auburn's state representative, had just been removed from office after being convicted of ethics violations.
He wanted to Auburn's new representative to be trusted.
He won his race in 2016, and now Lovvorn, a Republican, is running for his first full term as Alabama House representative for District 79, which includes most of Auburn. He is running against political newcomer, Democrat Mary Wynne Kling.
"We've been building bridges across the state to make sure we continue to prosper, not only here in Lee County, but throughout all of East Alabama," Lovvorn said. "All of the surrounding areas depend on this community. We are center for healthcare. We are a center for commerce. We are a center for jobs. If we aren't prospering, they won't."
Lovvorn is focusing on the continuation of that and working to invest more in the people of Alabama, the greatest resource, he said.
During his time in office, Lovvorn has sponsored three bills concerning education, child safety and reimbursement for safety volunteers. Most well-known to the Auburn area was "Sadie's Bill," which requires food service establishments to have locking manhole covers on their grease traps.
The bill was prompted by the death of a toddler in Auburn. Sadie Grace Andrews died after falling into an unlocked grease trap. The bill passed.
Lovvorn is highly focused on education, as he is on the education ways and means committee and the higher education subcommittee. Lovvorn said he is a proud graduate of Auburn University and wants to continue working toward the success of Alabama institutions.
Lovvorn said he believes the solution to skyrocketing tuition prices goes back to families having the income needed to put their children through schools, and the university's ability to find more scholarships.
"The best way to effect positive change throughout our state is through the education system," Lovvorn said. "Not only is it important in the state, but specifically District 79 where our economic powerhouse is Auburn University."
Lovvorn said he is working to expand state pre-K programs, as well as working with higher education. Alabama's Pre-K program, ASRA, is highly regarded all over the country. The program has not expanded to all areas of the state, though, and only serves about 32 percent of eligible 4-year-olds.
In addition to education, Lovvorn is turning time and attention to small business and farming regulations.
"My goal is to continue to make it where farmers and business owners can adequately survive in the business world and this economy," Lovvorn said.
He said he wishes to keep a common-sense approach to regulations to avoid burdensome hassles. Lovvorn said he has worked to create new incentives to encourage innovation in crop irrigation.
"I have worked to meet with people from across the isle and all the people across the community," Lovvorn said. "I am humbled by the support I have, and I will continue to look for ways in which we can improve."
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