State Senate District 7 Candidate Sanford Reacts to McClain Conviction
01/22/2009

Paul Sanford, Republican candidate for the Alabama Senate in the March 3rd special election primary, today said voters must demand integrity from elected officials at every level of government. Speaking to a group of supporters in his restaurant in Huntsville, Sanford said the conviction of State Senator E. B. McClain on 48 counts of money laundering, mail fraud, bribery and conspiracy is an unfortunate example of greed that cannot be tolerated by the public and must be dealt with aggressively by our legal system.

"When the public's trust of an elected official is breached, there must be consequences. E.B. McClain's arrogant misuse of taxpayer dollars goes to the very heart of what's wrong in American politics, and he should pay the price," Sanford said. "Unfortunately, McClain's case may be one of many to come in Alabama for members of the state House and Senate," he added.

Mr. Sanford was referring to the ongoing investigation of corruption in the state's two-year college system, which has yielded indictments and resignations of legislators whose ties to financial abuses have been alleged. "It's no wonder that the approval rating of public servants is at an all-time low. I am running for the Senate to make a difference, not a buck," Sanford stated. "When you elect me, I promise to represent you with integrity and diligence," he said.

Paul Sanford is married to Danielle McCuan of Birmingham. They own and operate "little Paul’s Barbecue" in Huntsville. The Sanfords have two children.