Will Boyd

Party: Democratic

Age: 47

Residence: Florence

Political Experience: Greenville, Illinois, City Council, 2009-2011; chairman, Lauderdale County Democratic Executive Committee, 2017; committee coordinator, Lauderdale County Democratic Executive Committee, 2016-17; member, Alabama State Democratic Executive Committee; ran for U.S. Senate, 2008; ran for U.S. Representative, District 5; ran for U.S. Senate, 2017.

Professional experience: Engineering student assistant, South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., 1991-94; manager-in-training, A.O. Smith Water Products Co., 1995-99; production manager, Fedders Corp., 1999-2002; quality manager and manufacturing engineer, International Filter Manufacturing Corp., 2002-04; dean of student success and adjunct assistant professor of management, Greenville College, 2004-10; chancellor, St. James the Elder Theological Seminary, 2013-16; pastor, St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, Florence, 2013-present; chief servant and presiding bishop, Zion Ministries, 2001-present.

Education: Bachelor of science in engineering, University of South Carolina, 1994; doctor of philosophy in religion, Christian Bible College, 2003; master of business administration, Regis University, 2003; doctor of philosophy in organization and management, Capella University, 2007; doctor of science in Christian counseling, St. James the Elder Theological Seminary, 2012; doctor of philosophy in Christian clinical psychology, Dayspring University, 2013; doctor of Christian clinical psychology, St. James the Elder Theological seminary, 2015; honorary doctor of divinity and Christian counseling.

Civic experience: Omega Psi Fraternity, member; Morning Star Lodge No. 50, member; Health Care Authority of Lauderdale County and city of Florence, board of directors.

Main issues: According to the campaign website, if elected the candidate would focus on growing the middle class and ending poverty, ensuring affordable healthcare and building coalitions among educators, labor and business leaders. The candidate plans to create private sector jobs, develop small business incentives for international competition and support economic development efforts of community organizations. The candidate also plans to improve education by providing resources to public schools, focus on teacher compensation, affordable education and protection of research funding. The candidate supports the creation of green jobs, ending dependence on foreign oil and reducing greenhouse gases, reforming ethics laws and reducing recidivism.

Top contributors: Second Line Consulting, $45,000; Metamorphosis Group, $19,200; Offices of Patricia Bellasalma, $18,000; Scott Ireland, $7,000; Retail Wholesale & Department Store Union Mid South Council, $4,500; HB Effect c/o Monarch Business, $3,500; Mid South Carpenters Regional Council, $3,000; Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 119, $2,500; P. & S. Local Union 52, $1,500; United Steel Workers District 9 Nonfederal Account, $1,500.

Campaign: https://www.willboydforalabama.com