Alabama House of Representatives, District 54

 Jerome Dees

Party: Democrat

Political experience: Chair, Alabama Young Democrats; former president, Birmingham Young Democrats; president, Alabama Law Democrats; former president, Black Law Students’ Association.

Professional experience: Currently civil rights and criminal defense attorney with the Maxwell Law Firm; previously assistant district attorney, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office; deputy district attorney, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, 2014-2015; law clerk, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, 2013; legal intern, Alabama Law Institute, 2013; legal clerk, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, 2012.

Civic experience: Co-chair, University of Alabama School of Law’s Public Interest advisory board; member, young professionals board for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.

Education: Juris doctorate, University of Alabama School of Law, 2013; bachelor’s in classical and ancient studies, University of Florida, 2010.

           

Main issues: The candidate on his campaign website points out the state’s crowded prisons and high cost for incarcerating inmates. He favors state investment in drug and mental health treatment to reduce crime and recidivism rates. He also wants to provide Alabamians with quality health care options. He said he would propose a statewide health care plan similar to that of the state of Massachusetts, using resources from UAB to help support the effort. Dees supports education initiatives that give teachers flexibility, would consider funding sources such as a lottery and tax reform, and would promote access to pre-K programs. Dees also pledges to reduce voter registration restrictions, expand the window for casting votes, end gerrymandering of political districts and advocate for former convicts to gain the right to vote. He pledges to represent all Alabamians regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. 

Top contributors: Mary Dees, $2,150; Maxwell Law Firm, $1,500; Zachary Simon, $1,000; Alford J. Dees III, $511; Larin Dees, $500; Dan Crane, $500; Revill Law Firm, $500; Melissa Singelton, $500; Tommy Spina, $500; Christopher Daniel, $482.

Campaign: https://jeromeforstatehouse.com