Candidate for Alabama House District 28
Interviewed by The Reporter Monthly
www.vote4roberthunter.com
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Robert Hunter. I’m a lifelong resident of District 28 and deeply committed to our community. I currently serve as Vice Chair of Minority Affairs for the Etowah County Democratic Party and have been an active member of the Alabama Democratic Party’s youth caucus for the past six years.
My work spans coaching youth sports to organizing for social justice. I’m a narrative organizer for the Black Appalachian Coalition, a member of Fellowship Baptist Church, and I’ve dedicated much of my life to service in this district.
2. Why are you running for office now?
Because our working-class community deserves better, better healthcare, better wages, and a government that listens.
Too many people, myself included, have felt disillusioned by politics. We’ve seen broken promises, a lack of representation, and no meaningful change. I’m running to change that, not with empty campaign slogans, but through real action. I’ve been serving this community long before running for office, and I will continue to do so, whether or not I hold a title.
3. A lot of voters say politicians make promises and disappear every 4 years. How are you different?
In the last five years of my seven-year journey as a community advocate, I’ve led the Gadsden Free Store, organized Gadsden Pride, and run a small reproductive care cabinet. I’ve volunteered at the local library, read to children in our schools, and served on the board of The STAY Project, a youth leadership nonprofit managing a six-figure budget.
I also helped develop BAYR (Black Appalachian Young and Rising), a long-term Black-centered leadership initiative. This is just a glimpse of my work. I’m not new to showing up for my community. I know I still have to earn people’s trust, and I intend to do exactly that.
4. What’s your message to people who say, “My vote doesn’t matter”?
I understand that feeling. But here’s the reality: this district has had Democratic representation for 18 of the last 26 years. The difference between winning and losing will come down to just 1,700 to 1,800 votes, in an election where fewer than 20% of eligible voters are likely to turn out.
This was one of the most competitive districts in the entire state last election. Your vote isn’t just powerful; it could decide the race.
5. How will your policies directly improve people’s lives?
- Expanding Medicaid means more people can see a doctor without going bankrupt.
- Raising the minimum wage means fewer parents working two jobs to survive.
- Capping rent increases at 10% per year means more stability and money in your pocket.
These are not political slogans. These are survival issues, and I’m putting them at the center of my platform. On top of that, I’ve pledged that a portion of my campaign funds will be used for direct community actions, not just advertisements.
6. What do you say to people struggling to make ends meet who don’t think politics can help them?
I get it. I’ve lived it. But the truth is, whether we engage or not, politicians are already making decisions that affect your wallet, your health, and your future. The question is: will those decisions be made with you in the room, or without you?
I want to make sure you’re in the room.
7. How are you involving local people in your campaign?
Our campaign is powered by everyday folks, from barbershop canvassers to retired teachers making phone calls.
We’ll be hosting community storytelling events, listening sessions, and volunteer days that are engaging, inclusive, and rooted in our district’s reality. Our first community event is scheduled later this month, and everyone is welcome.
8. What kind of Alabama do you want to help build?
An Alabama where dignity is a right, not a privilege.
A state where access to healthcare, fair wages, and justice are non-negotiable. Where Black, Brown, working-class, and rural voters are respected, heard, and prioritized.
I want a future where people don’t have to work themselves into the ground just to survive. I’ve had Sundays taken from me because rent was too high and bills had to be paid. That shouldn’t be normal.
We deserve an Alabama where everyone has a legal right to clean water, clean air, and protected land.
9. What can one lone representative do in a sea of Republican legislators?
One representative can’t do everything, but they can do something. I can amplify the voices of people in my district. I can push back, organize, and build coalitions.
Even in the minority, I can fight for real, tangible changes, and create a model of what community-powered leadership should look like. My presence alone challenges the status quo and makes space for others like us.
10. The other candidates may say you’re too young or lack experience. What do you say to that?
I say: look at the work.
Experience isn’t just about age or titles, it’s about showing up, serving people, and making things happen. My track record speaks for itself. I’ve built programs, run budgets, advocated for families, and stayed grounded in my community through it all.
My youth is an asset. It means I have the energy, urgency, and vision needed to fight for a better future, and to do it for the long haul.
11. If I want to get involved with your campaign, how do I do that?
Visit www.vote4roberthunter.com to sign up.
We need volunteers, organizers, and supporters. If you can give your time, great. If you can donate, even $5 a month, that goes a long way toward sustaining our movement.
This campaign is not about me, it’s about us. Let’s build something real, together.