When John Roberts ran for U.S. Congress in 2022, he and his campaign manager personally knocked on a staggering 24,000 doors in five counties, and actually talked to folks. He would hear over and over again, “No one has ever come to our door and asked us what we think.” Recently, John told me, “The relationships that I built and the things that I learned in that campaign, taught me a lot. People would also say, “Your time is coming, and when it does, give it another go.” So, he is. John is seeking the seat of soon-retiring Senator Tom Butler, and has the endorsement of Mac McCutcheon as well as Senator Butler.
What is different now is that he is a young dad with two boys, ages 1 and 4. We talked at length about how becoming a parent absolutely changes everything, and serving his family well is another crucial step in preparing John to serve the people of Alabama. John comes from a family that fostered many kids. He is strongly pro-life and pro-family, is for school choice, believes in the 2nd Amendment, is a successful business owner, and has a fierce desire to see North Alabama get what he calls its “fair share” on a number of fronts. He explains below:
For too long, Montgomery has treated North Alabama like its personal ATM, sending our tax dollars down I-65 with little return. I will advocate relentlessly for our district and ensure that our money comes back home where it belongs. When North Alabama receives the resources it generates and deserves, our families prosper, businesses expand, and the entire state benefits.
He says further:
North Alabama is the economic engine of our state, and we deserve infrastructure that matches our contributions. For too long, we’ve received only pennies on the dollar from Montgomery to support the fastest-growing region in Alabama. This neglect must end. I will fight for the critical investments we need to expand highways, repair aging bridges, and deploy modern digital infrastructure. These improvements are essential to keeping our region competitive and ensuring North Alabama continues to drive our state’s economy forward.
He told me that District 2 has immense assets as well as responsibilities. North Alabama protects our state, and in many ways, the nation and the world. It’s got to have the right resources to be able to meet that responsibility.
As a Tuscaloosa grad with a bachelor’s degree in political science as well as a master’s in public administration, John firmly believes that Alabama could be a beacon of educational excellence by raising standards. That determination to raise standards also applies to business, as well as with those in public service. “It has to do with mindset, accountability, and leadership,” he said.
Here is more of John’s story:
John Roberts serves as the Real Estate & Development Manager for Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC, a full-service commercial real estate development company in Huntsville. In this role, he manages projects that bring jobs and investment to North Alabama. Freedom is a 100% employee-owned ESOP and a sister company to Torch Technologies.
John’s career has been defined by a commitment to driving economic growth and workforce development in North Alabama. As the former Business Retention & Expansion Director for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, he managed high-impact projects that recruited thousands of jobs and built the strategic partnerships that keep our regional economy thriving.
A champion for vocational training, John co-founded the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy. This no-cost workforce development school prepares men and women for high-demand careers in the construction trades—a model recognized by Governor Kay Ivey with the 2021 AlabamaWorks! Innovator Award. John is running for the State Senate to bring fresh, businesslike thinking to a Montgomery system that’s left North Alabama behind.
John grew up in Hartselle and lives in Huntsville with his wife, Madison, and their two sons, John Jr. and Reid. They are active members of Asbury Church in Madison.
John emphasized that he is not interested in going to Montgomery to have a title; he is going to serve. As a college athlete, he understands being part of a team and finding ways to work well with people who have different strengths and skillsets from his own. He possesses a desire to learn as well as a sense of curiosity and a commitment to taking responsibility. He told me that he had been taught that a person needs to “learn the difference between the signal and the noise,” and with a clear focus, he wants to truly “signal” that Alabama is open for business at a higher standard. If you live in District 2, and this is what you are looking for in a state senator, then vote for John Roberts on November 3.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
