Andress enters race for GOP nomination for state treasurer

The former executive director of the Alabama Republican Party, Twinkle Andress, is running for state treasurer.

Andress, 36, announced Monday from the steps of the Alabama capitol she will be on the ballot in the treasurer’s race in the June 4 Republican Primary.

“We need conservative leadership in the treasurer’s office to manage the money the taxpayers send to Montgomery,” Andress said. “I want to serve the people of Alabama and not the large banks.”

Andress resigned last week as state director of Citizens for a Sound Economy, a nonprofit organization which promotes lower taxes and less government. Andress is a former staff member with the Republican National Committee and was director of constituent affairs for Republican U.S. Rep. Sonny Callahan of Mobile.

Andress was executive director of the state Republican Party from 1999 to 2001.

She said she is committed to continuing the Alabama Prepaid Tuition Program, which is run out of the treasurer’s office and allows parents s to put aside money for their children’s college education. She was joined at the news conference by friends and family members including her aunt, Beth McCall of Union Springs, who has three grandchildren in the tuition program.

“It’s a way for Alabama children to go to college and I want to make sure it continues,” Andress said.

Andress will face retired educator and banker Kay Ivey of Montgomery in the Republican Primary.

Running for the Democratic nomination are Tuscaloosa businessman Greg Foster, Birmingham attorney Stephen Black and Assistant Attorney General Carol Jean Smith of Montgomery.