By By Kerry Whipple Bean
Publisher
New District 22 state Sen. Marc Keahey said he is ready to work with Democrats and Republicans to solve the state’s biggest issues.
Keahey, D-Grove Hill, took the oath of office Thursday at the Escambia County Courthouse. He was elected last week to the Senate seat long held by Pat Lindsey, who died of a heart attack in January. Keahey defeated former state Rep. Greg Albritton, R-Range, and will serve the remainder of Lindsey’s term through 2010.
The new senator was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006, a member of the new class with Alan Baker, R-Brewton, and Harry Shiver, R-Bay Minette. Keahey said the three — whose districts are close together — became friends. Both Baker and Shiver attended Keahey’s swearing-in ceremony.
Despite party differences, Keahey said he, Baker and Shiver worked together on projects.
Keahey’s new district includes Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties. Although he did not win Escambia County, Keahey said he won many friends as he campaigned.
Keahey said he chose to hold a swearing-in ceremony in Escambia County because of that local support. All of Escambia County is in District 22; one quarter of the district’s population resides in the county.
Attorney Everette Price, who introduced Keahey, said he is impressed with the new senator.