KRISTINA VISE

Conservation. That was the heart of District 2 Congressional candidate Rick Barber’s message, as he addressed the College Republicans Tuesday night.

“I will bring conservative values back to Washington,” said Barber, Republican.

Barber told the young Republican group he wasn’t the typical politician. “I have always voted, but other than that, I was never active in politics. I had my family and my job to worry about. Running for political office was the last thing I needed,” Barber said.

But as a small business owner in Montgomery, Barber noticed a trend.

“The government keeps manipulating the tax code to control one group after another,” he said. “I finally decided I wanted to stop griping and do something about it.”

Barber announced his candidacy in January and said he is ready to listen to the people of the state.

“As a congressman, I will represent the wishes of the people. To do that, I’ve got to listen to the people. That’s just what elected leaders should do.”

And that is just what Barber said he feels current Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery, does not do. “No one knows how Bright is going to vote,” Barber said.

He told the group exactly how he will vote if elected.

“I have no political baggage, just a desire to save this country,” he said. “It is true that nothing happens overnight, but my objective is to turn us in the right direction.”

By focusing on conservative values and addressing problems in tax code, Barber said hopes to turn the economy around.

“There are bright students out there with no jobs. Pike County District Attorney candidate Tom Anderson, Circuit Judge candidate Clif Hastings, State Senator candidate Ray Boles and the son of Alabama Governor candidate Roy Moore were in attendance, as well.