Get to know Dom Gentile, Republican running for Alabama U.S. Senate seat
Wednesday marked the deadline for candidates to qualify to run in the Alabama special election to replace Jeff Sessions in the U.S. Senate. 11 Republicans and eight Democrats will officially move forward to their party’s August 15 primaries. With a little over three months until voters head to the ballots, AlabamaToday.com is inviting all of the candidates, including appointed-incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, to complete a questionnaire we believe offers an interesting, albeit, thumbnail sketch of who they are and why they are running. If you are a candidate and would like to complete the questionnaire, email Elizabeth@ALToday.com. Today’s candidate spotlight features Dominic “Dom” Gentile, a Birmingham businessman hoping to shake-up the status quo. Here he is in his own words: Significant other? Wife, Karen – met in college, married 29 years. Kids? We have three boys between the ages 16-23. Education background? Attended the University of Alabama and was a walk-on kicker for the football team. Studied Political Science and received my BA. Then went on to get an MBA. Professional background? I’ve worked in sales, marketing and general management for three Fortune 500 companies Duracell, Gillette and Sara Lee. Those positions provided me with the opportunity to travel the world working in over 25 countries, living in many different cities in the US, and living in Asia. This gave me a global perspective that I will take with me to the Senate. What was your first job? Territory Manager selling batteries for Duracell. In 25 words or less, why are you running for office? Our citizens need a representative, not another politician. Alabamians deserve to have a candidate who is not a bought insider. I have never run for office and owe nobody. Did you speak with anybody in your political party before deciding on running? Receive any encouragement? From whom? I did not speak with anyone from the party. Who do you count on for advice? I am a good listener so I count on a lot of people for advice. Who is your political consultant? Campaign manager? My team is comprised of professionals in Public Relations, Graphic Design, Social Media, Advertising and Promotion and Communications. None of them have political experience, and that is intentional. Who was the first person to contribute to your campaign? Me actually. Why did they donate? I wanted to self-fund my campaign to demonstrate that I am not in anyone’s back pocket. Special interests and the donation money from special interests are ruining our election process. Who, if anyone, inspires you in state government? Nobody Why do people mistrust elected officials and what are you going to do about it? People mistrust elected officials because they don’t actually represent the citizens. The people are frustrated and angry because they realize that special interests have a voice, but they don’t. That is why I’m running. I believe we need people from outside of the ‘system’ to bring sound problem solving and ethics back into office. I will never accept PAC or special interest money, and I will term-limit myself out of a job. I will serve one full 6 year term and then it is someone else’s turn. What are 3 issues that you’re running on? (Please don’t simply say “education” or “improving the schools”) My biggest three issues are: Term limits. I will push to pass a law on term limits at the federal level, and since I’m pretty sure it won’t pass (these insiders would never pass it) I will pledge to only serve one full-term in office. If you think this is a good idea, put your vote where your mouth is and never vote for a candidate who won’t sign such a pledge. Bring competition to Blue Cross Blue Shield, resulting in lower costs for all Alabamians. Flat Tax. Let’s simplify it and get rid of the bloated IRS. What is a “disruptive” issue (i.e. ride-sharing) you are interested in? We have a monopoly in this state with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and that is not healthy. We need a more competitive landscape that will drive insurance premiums down and make insurance more affordable for everyone from the poor to middle class to the rich, and to businesses as well. Competition makes businesses better, and that results in better options and lower prices for the consumers like us. Who was the best governor in Alabama’s modern history? Next question. One of the primary responsibilities of a governor is to see that our children are educated properly, and education in Alabama is abysmal relative to other states and countries. Show me a governor who rights this ship and I will show you the best governor. Are yard signs an important part of campaigning in your district? No, I don’t think yard sign influences how someone votes, but they are a part of name recognition. As someone who has not run for political office before I will be working to get name recognition and yard signs are a necessary evil. I do pledge to ask my team and volunteers to pick them up after the campaign and recycle if possible. What’s the first thing you read each morning? ESPN.COM Where do you get your political news? I try not to read this junk. 60 Minutes or House of Cards? Neither. My favorite show is Madame Secretary. Social media presence? Twitter handle? Facebook Twitter Instagram In 140 characters, what’s a Tweet that best describes your campaign message. Unbought. Never to be bought. Representative vs politician. Hobbies? Teaching college and exercising. Favorite sport and sports team? Hockey. Nashville Predators.
Del Marsh not running for U.S. Senate seat
State Sen. Del Marsh will not be seeking the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Marsh, an Anniston Republican, has served as Alabama Senate President Pro Tem since 2010. Currently in the race for the Republican nomination are Sen. Luther Strange, who had been appointed by former Gov. Robert Bentley in February, Huntsville Congressman Mo Brooks, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, state Rep. Ed Henry of Hartselle, Christian Coalition of Alabama President Randy Brinson, Dominic Gentile and Birmingham business executive Bryan Peeples. AL.com is reporting that 5 p.m. today is the deadline for candidates enter the special election for U.S. Senator. The Republican primary is Aug. 15. According to the Alabama Republican Party, also qualifying for the race are Mary Maxwell and Joseph F. Breault. Democratic candidates include Michael Hansen of the environmental advocacy group Gasp; former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones; Mobile resident Robert Kennedy Jr.; and Orange Beach’s Jason Fisher, who serves as vice president of direct marketing firm Ruffalo Noel-Levitz. Today’s announcement puts end to speculation Marsh would enter the race. Earlier this month, Marsh met with members of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “I don’t consider Gov. Bentley’s hand-chosen senator to be the incumbent,” Marsh told NRSC officials. “I think the people will choose that in an election cycle.”
Birmingham businessman Dom Gentile joins U.S. Senate race
Birmingham businessman Dominic “Dom” Gentile on Tuesday announced he’ll run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became U.S. Attorney General in February. The 51 Hoover, Ala. resident has never held public office and will kick off his campaign by traveling across the Yellowhammer State and talking to business owners, first responders, veterans, active military and citizens who want a fresh voice in Washington. “Dom will bring a fresh and innovative perspective to Washington,” states his newly launched campaign website. “Our politicians are broken. It’s not the system that’s broken; it’s the crooked, crony politicians, and he offers the voters a fresh alternative.” With a platform that includes supporting terms limits and only serving one full-term if elected; supporting the flat tax and dramatically reducing the size and power of the IRS; reducing health care costs and putting an end to what he deems “monopolistic behavior” of insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield; and removing government red tape — the University of Alabama alum is hoping to make the most of his political-outsider persona. He’s also using his first-hand experience as a small business owner as another selling point. “Over the last 13 years, Dom has grown his own business from nothing to a multi-million dollar enterprise. Dom knows how to create jobs and make a payroll. He helps people start businesses,” states his website. “Government is way too big and regulations are too burdensome for businesses. As a small business owner, Dom knows this first hand. Dom will work to reduce red tape.” Gentile joins an already crowded GOP race. Among those who have already thrown their hats into the ring, are Sen. Luther Strange, who was appointed to fills Sessions empty seat by former Gov. Robert Bentley; former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Roy Moore; State Rep. Ed Henry; and President of the Christian Coalition of Alabama Dr. Randy Brinson. Other candidates may still join the contest in the coming days, with Republican State Sen. Del Marsh still on the fence. Meanwhile, Sens. Slade Blackwell and Trip Pittman are also considering a run, as is former Rep. Perry Hooper Jr. Ron Crumpton is the only Democrat in the race at this time. The deadline for candidates to qualify for the Senate run is May 17. The primary vote is August 15. The special election is December 12.
