1.
BRIEF BIO (100 words or less): Please include previous public service.
JAY CONNER—third generation, life-long resident of Auburn. ACS/AHS Alumnus, University of Alabama (BS),
Auburn University & Troy University (MBA Program) Alumnus. 31 Years in business in Auburn, in fields of
construction, real estate sales, leasing and development. Developed Camden Ridge, Asheton Park, Asheton Lakes,
Central Park.
Public Service: Lee Co. Board of Equalization (Chair for 9 years), Youth Football, Basketball & Baseball Coach, AUMC
Food Pantry, Miracle League (Lee Co.) Announcer, BOD Auburn Chamber, BOD/Treasurer LCAR, ACT Prep Teacher,
City of Auburn Task Force Member: Greenspace, Watershed, Downtown Development, Lee-Russell Metropolitan
Planning Organization.
JOE LOVVORN: Joe Lovvorn is from Graham, Alabama. He graduated from Auburn University in 1999 and received
his MBA in 2000. He is a veteran firefighter and currently serves as a Battalion Chief. Joe is also a realtor and small
business owner of Two Men and a Truck. He is actively involved in the Auburn Chamber of Commerce where he
serves as a board member. Joe was in the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service Agricultural and Business
Leadership Program and is a Rotarian. He attends Cornerstone Church with his wife, Jenifer, and their two sons,
Jackson and Landon.
BRETT SMITH: I am a 33 year old father, husband, and business owner. I am co-founder of the law firm Huff Smith
Law, LLC, with my wife, Haley Huff. My legal work focuses on new business and nonprofit creation and I have had
the honor of helping start over 25 businesses in the Lee County area over the past two years. I serve on the City of
Auburn Greenspace Advisory Board and am president of the Lee County Young Professionals. I am a guest lecturer
at Auburn University and adjunct professor at Southern Union. I also teach a free course on starting a new business
at the Auburn Public Library. Haley and I recently celebrated our daughter’s first birthday.
SANDY TOOMER was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. For 10 years after college Sandy worked in
corporate America, rising to National Marketing Director for a national manufacturer in Atlanta. Then, along with
his wife, Trish, they served as missionaries for 15 years in Central & South America and the US. Moving to Lee
County and eventually Auburn they started Toomer’s Coffee Company, Toomer’s Coffee Roasters and mentored
their daughter to found Mylks Cookies. Their son, Harrison is a graduate of Auburn University. Sandy ran against
Mike Hubbard in 2014 for this seat receiving 40% of the popular vote.
2.
Are you a member of the Auburn Chamber?
JAY CONNER: No, not currently.
JOE LOVVORN: Yes
BRETT SMITH: Yes
SANDY TOOMER: We were members in the past but are not today since selling our retail business.
3.
What it your relationship to the Auburn business community? (50 words or less)
JAY CONNER: I have been a member of the Auburn business community for 31 years, as a business owner. I have
been directly responsible for more economic development, subsequent tax dollars coming in to the City of Auburn,
and business advocacy than all three of the other candidates, combined.
JOE LOVVORN: I have been a Realtor in Auburn for 15 years. I opened a small business 11 years ago, and employ
dozens of people. I joined the Chamber of Commerce and serve on the Board. I work side by side with various
businesses and trade local to keep tax dollars in Auburn.
BRETT SMITH: I am a member of the Auburn Business Community. As an attorney specializing in business and nonprofit law, I have the distinct honor of working with business leaders in our community. I also teach a free course
on starting a business in Lee County at the Auburn Public Library.
SANDY TOOMER: Having started three successful small businesses as owner or in the role of financing &
mentoring Sandy and Trish have employed dozens of local residents & students, generated sales tax revenues for
the city, provided community good will to visitors and developed a coffee brand that is sold nationally promoting
Auburn.
4.
What are your top three priorities while in office? (50 words or less)
JAY CONNER: Education funding—AU, (ACS Pre-K-12) and Southern Union Medicaid funding and support of our
local Healthcare Industry Economic Development
I will REPRESENT ALL of our residents. Not just a few individuals, groups or interests. ALL of our residents will be
represented by me.
JOE LOVVORN: Job creation and workforce development for our community will be my focus. You can count on
me to fight for the tools teachers need to educate our children. I will also help Auburn University secure the funds
it needs to continue as a world-class institution.
BRETT SMITH: My top three priorities include fully funding education for all students in K-12 and also increase the
funding received by state Universities such as Auburn University. As our state representative, I will also vote to
keep taxes low so that families have more money in their pockets to spend in the economy, as well as reduce
government regulation on businesses to allow those businesses to hire more people.
SANDY TOOMER:
1.) Working with Phil Dunlap's department to bring more corporations providing high
paying jobs and subsequently increased occupational, commercial and local sales tax revenues to Auburn.
2.) Protecting the RSA from legislative intrusion (e.g. allowing private investors access to these funds)
3.) Finding viable solutions to funding the Alabama state government
5.
What is the state’s greatest challenge? (50 words or less)
JAY CONNER: Our greatest challenge is leaving political nonsense behind to focus on our state’s real issues and
problems. We have funding and spending challenges that we can certainly overcome, if we choose to elect leaders
who will work together for the benefit of our residents.
JOE LOVVORN: Providing common sense budgeting and spending solutions that will help us serve the people while
living within our sources of revenue. Fight corruption in Montgomery; bringing clarity and common sense to
Alabama’s ethics laws. Restore confidence in state government by leading with integrity and demanding the same
from others.
BRETT SMITH: Our states greatest challenge is moving the ball forward in regards to who we elect to public office
at the state level. We need a fresh approach to Montgomery politics. I believe my background provides me the
unique opportunity to serve all the people in our district.
SANDY TOOMER: Funding state government
6.
There have been several economic development tax incentives adopted over the last several years. Do you
believe that providing tax incentives to new and existing businesses is an effective strategy to create jobs in
Alabama? WHY or WHY NOT? (50 words or less)
JAY CONNER: Yes, it is a vital tool for our state to use to recruit new businesses and industries. I am very
supportive of tax incentives, abatements, low-interest loans and grants to bring in good paying jobs for our
citizens. Our small businesses must also be eligible for incentives.
JOE LOVVORN: As long as Alabama taxpayers are getting their money’s worth, there are times when it is
appropriate for the government to incentivize businesses and industries. Otherwise, I feel funding our K-12 schools
and Auburn University help attract businesses in District 79.
BRETT SMITH: Tax incentives that are not passed on to the taxpayers as an increase are a great way to do business.
Tax incentives should be taken on a case by case scenario. For existing businesses to expand, we should lower their
tax burden and reduce government regulations.
SANDY TOOMER:
LOCAL- IF existing businesses already provide the same product or service I do not believe it is best for the
community or fair competition: Keep the playing field level. IF it is a new product or service with demand that’s
fine.
MACRO/STATE - To compete nationally for companies that generate high paying jobs it is the new normal and I
support that.
7.
We should pursue implementing a lottery to generate revenue. (Please respond on a scale of 1-5 and keep
comments to 50 words or less.)
1-Strongly Oppose
2-Oppose
3- Neither Oppose or Support
4- Support
5- Strongly Support
JAY CONNER: 5—I Strongly Support an Education Lottery for Alabama. Forty-four other states have lotteries and
we lose badly needed revenues to our boarder states every day because we have been too stubborn to act.
JOE LOVVORN: 3—While I'm no particular fan of a lottery, I do understand the necessity to balance state budgets
and provide basic services. I believe the community may favor a lottery enough at this point to allow it to go to a
vote of the people.
BRETT SMITH: 1—Today’s lottery proceedings will not cover tomorrow’s budgetary shortfalls.
SANDY TOOMER:
4- Support –I support ONLY IF the citizens are allowed an UP/DOWN vote on the matter.
Let me add that I am more concerned with how the funds are allocated/spent if a lottery is approved.
8.
State government should make a concerted effort to expand economic development efforts in Alabama. (Please
respond on a scale of 1-5 and keep comments to 50 words or less.)
1-Strongly Oppose
2-Oppose
3- Neither Oppose or Support
4- Support
5- Strongly Support
JAY CONNER: 5—I Strongly Support expanded economic development efforts in Alabama. I support historical
building restoration grants and financing. I support public/private/utility incentives for economic development.
Alabama must sell itself to industry but we can only do so when we are seen as a state which can solve our
problems.
JOE LOVVORN: 5—To make the lives of our people better, we need to provide quality jobs and grow economic
development efforts. Our state government should be at the head of the table, helping local governments recruit
those jobs.
BRETT SMITH: 1—Strongly Oppose a. State governments should get out of the way of economic development to
prevent the state government from picking winners and losers.
SANDY TOOMER:
4—Support - I support it if economic/tax incentives are in the best interest of Alabama and
the “economic development” equates to higher paying jobs (not more minimum wage jobs).
9.
In your opinion, what role should the legislature play when it comes to improving Alabama’s public education
system? (50 words or less)
JAY CONNER: The legislature must not delegate its role in education to the governor. We must use education
expertise we have at Auburn University to draft comprehensive plans to secure the best teachers, facilities and
opportunities for EVERY child in our state. Money should not be diverted from public to private schools.
JOE LOVVORN: I think it is top priority to make sure our school district gets the state funding it deserves, and I'll
support legislation that ensures teachers have the tools they need for the classroom. Our children and their
futures should be our top priority.
BRETT SMITH: Politics have no place in a classroom. WE must fully fund our education needs in this state and give
our administrators and educators the tools to succeed for the sake of our children.
SANDY TOOMER: Except for providing viable and adequate funding sources, the legislature should stay out of
education. Leave the education of our children to the local school districts and the state board of education.
Instead of consulting with education experts and officials the present legislature currently confers with business
interests and non-education lobbying groups. This needs to be changed.
10. In your opinion, how would a tax increase on business help or hurt the average Alabamian?
(50 words or less)
JAY CONNER: Tax increases would be counter-productive for Alabama businesses, especially small businesses. And
I will not support tax increases on businesses. Likewise, we are a poor state and the vast majority of our residents
cannot afford individual or property tax increases. I will not support any such tax increases.
JOE LOVVORN: I am a fiscal conservative. I know that any tax increase levied on businesses will ultimately be
passed down to the consumer and that will hurt Alabama families.
BRETT SMITH: Tax increases on businesses will be passed down to consumers. This hurts our states overall
economy.
SANDY TOOMER: What kind of tax? How much? Define “average Alabamian”. My short answer is whether it’s a
tax increase, or minimum wage increase, higher utility costs, and so on, businesses can only pass on so much
before the (in)elasticity of demand kicks in and revenues decline (people cannot or will not buy your product).
Less business revenue = less tax revenue.