Baldwin County Democrat Janet Appleby Launches Challenge in Alabama State Senate District 32

Baldwin County, AL (BuzzReport) — Democratic Alabama State Senate candidate Janet Appleby of Gulf Shores says her decision to run for office comes from a lifelong habit of stepping in when she sees problems that are not being addressed.

Appleby, 69, is mounting a general election challenge in Senate District 32 against the winner of the Republican primary, expected to be Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine), who has represented the district for seven years. Appleby argues that current state policies are failing to address the growing financial pressures facing Alabama families.

She points to rising costs for housing, utilities, groceries, health care, and education as evidence that state leadership has not kept pace with the needs of working-class residents.

“I cannot sit back with a bucket of popcorn and do nothing while Alabama is going to hell in a hand cart,” Appleby said. “I can’t prevent people from falling through the cracks, but I can cushion the landing.”

A former elementary school teacher, Appleby holds a Master of Education as well as a master’s degree and a PhD in social work. She says her professional background, combined with personal experience, gives her a clear understanding of the difficult choices many families face.

Appleby has spoken publicly about raising a child with severe cerebral palsy and navigating inconsistent health care support across states. After securing one of the first Medicaid waivers for her son in Louisiana, she lost those benefits after relocating to Texas, forcing her to choose between institutional care far from home or keeping him home without adequate services. She says those experiences continue to shape her policy priorities.

Her campaign platform includes increased investment in public education, expanded access to affordable health care, advocacy for disability rights, protection of voting rights, opposition to the death penalty, and preservation of the rights and culture of people of all races, genders, and ethnic backgrounds.

“I want to help create an Alabama we can all afford,” Appleby said.

A central plank of her campaign is support for Medicaid expansion, which she argues would improve health outcomes and reduce financial strain on families. Elliott has consistently voted against Medicaid expansion during his time in the Senate.

“Medicaid is not an entitlement,” Appleby said. “Health care should be a human right.”

Appleby has also criticized Elliott’s role in legislation affecting public libraries. Elliott sponsored bills in 2024 and 2025 aimed at restructuring library boards and regulating the placement of materials deemed “sexually explicit.” Library advocates have opposed those measures, particularly after Fairhope residents raised private funds for a second consecutive year to keep their local library open following state defunding tied to compliance disputes.

On reproductive rights, Appleby draws a sharp contrast with her opponent. Elliott voted in favor of Alabama’s near-total abortion ban, which includes no exceptions for rape, incest, or the health of the mother. Appleby has pledged to fight for reproductive rights.

“If all you want is a child born — but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed — that’s not pro-life,” she said. “That’s pro-birth.”

Throughout her career, Appleby has worked with single mothers seeking child support, trained with state planning councils on developmental disabilities, and volunteered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She says those efforts reflect her belief that government should help people reach their full potential.

Appleby has also opposed legislation restricting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in public institutions. Elliott voted in favor of SB129 in 2024, which banned DEI programs statewide, describing the measure as a response to what he called a “woke agenda.”

“I will not stop until all Alabamians have the resources to achieve quality of life and share their skills and talents with our community,” Appleby said. “I won’t stop until Alabama is better for all.”