HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — He's been a state senator for nearly ten years, but now he's seeking a spot on the Alabama Supreme Court. We're talking about State Senator Cam Ward.
"Cam, thanks for joining us today. Cam, I want to ask, you're known for being a state senator, why now are you looking for a spot on the Supreme Court?" says Mike Black.
"I think I'd be a fresh perspective on the Supreme Court. Coming from the legislative branch of government, where we make laws, going over to the court where they interpret the laws, and needing to separate a clear difference between the two, I think makes me a uniquely qualified candidate.
It's different, but at the same time I think my experience in the legislature overseeing as chairman of the Senate judiciary committee for the last 10 years, of thousands of laws that were either passed or killed, gives me a very unique perspective and at the same time a breath of fresh air for the court."
"One of the things I noticed about you Cam is that you are all about the people of Alabama. Whether you agree with them, whether you disagree with them, you always make it a priority to always respond to them. How would something like that be beneficial to you if you do get a spot on the Supreme Court?"
"I tell ya that's why I got in politics to begin with, I love interacting with the people whether we agree or disagree. I think that's the beautiful part of our political process. As far as running for the court I think there's a disconnect sometimes between the voters in the court itself. The court appears to be this distant place where no one has access or the opportunity to interact with people, and I think you can do that.
Just because you're a supreme court justice or any kind of judge in the judicial branch that you should not have the kind of interaction we have in the legislative branches. Let's talk to the people so people feel more comfortable and have more access to the government. So I think I'm gonna continue that same role and interact and not show up every six years in election, but actually show up all the time to talk to people."
"And Cam, are there any specific goals in mind if you do get this spot? Anything you're looking to fix in particular?"
"Well there's a few reasons. One, again, I think my legislative background brings something to the court that's not there now. Someone being from the legislative branch of government who wrote laws, knows what the debate, was behind it and actually goes to the courts to interpret the laws in strict ways good. That's one.
Two, I would say there's a disconnect between the judicial branch and the executive and legislative branch right now. There's no interaction between them. And it's created dysfunction in funding for our criminal justice and civil justice process, but it's also created a situation where as if it's another war with our courts. And their separation has created a funding problem for the courts and at the same time it's created almost an aloofness that we don't have to have we can have a better court system by having someone who's been on the legislative branch of government."
"And Cam I have to ask, this is the first time you're running for a state-wide office, and you're running against incumbent Greg Shaw, who's seeking his third term. That said, do you think there is anything that perhaps gives you a leg up on Shaw?"
"I know Greg and his wife Sam, and they're good people, and this is not about me running against them. This is about me running to offer something that I think I can bring that not there now and it's quite simply this: One, my experience in the legislative branch of government, two my interaction with daily voters every day not just once every six years but also the fact of the matter is my law making ability.
I've been proven to work with both sides of the aisle to get things done, and I think my experience in learning that part of law gives me a leg up as far as what I can bring to the courts."
"And Cam is there anything you want to ask or say to the voters before they head to the polls?"
"I want to ask people for their vote for me. I'm not running against anybody, I'm not running against any issue. I tend to be a very positive person, maybe that's good, maybe that's bad in this political climate. But for me, I want people to vote for Cam because they see me as something they can add as an asset to the court."