An Interview With
Joyce Perrin
Republican Candidate, House District 84
Barbour, Bullock and Russell Counties
voteforjoyce.com
AFRW: Alabama Federation of Republican Women
JP: Joyce Perrin
AFRW: Why did you decide to run for office?
JP: I had not planned to run. I just kept watching the Internet for someone to decide to run. The day before the qualification closed, I prayed and prayed. My husband and I (both veterans) decided we had to do "something" -- as we would have to face ourselves on November 3rd if we did nothing. So I registered that day as I had appointments on the final day of qualifications.
AFRW: What makes you uniquely qualified for this seat?
JP: I have many of my qualifications listed on my website: voteforjoyce.com. I have owned
several businesses over the last 28 years. I have re-organized and brought two organizations
back to life: One statewide - Alabama Auctioneers Association, and more recently, The Union
Springs/Bullock County Chamber of Commerce. Both were essentially nonfunctional when I
took on the challenge - in both cases I increased membership and developed successful
programs that met their goals (with the help of my boards). I had two years experience on
Active Duty in the Air Force as one of the youngest officers going into the service in 1975 and
served another four years in the Air Force Reserves as a Flight Nurse leaving with the rank of
Captain. I hold a BA degree in Emergency & Disaster Management. Currently I am a member
of the Union Springs Planning Commission, Region 5 Tourism Council & Region 8 Workforce
Development Council. I have been an editor of a Newspaper, Radio Host & TV guest speaker
and non-paid lobbyist (Judeo-Christian Association). I have been administrator of a private
school developing and providing state-recognized programs for continuing education for Real
Estate Agents and Auctioneers. (I wrote the first programs in State for Auctioneers and helped
set up the initial CE programs.)
In the last four years I have developed a business that has brought over 25 couples to Union Springs, primarily from outside our State. Wearing several hats, I have assisted with downtown beautification and encouraged new business growth (we have four new businesses directly from newcomers). I also started four new programs with the local school board in Bullock County providing needed leadership programs to 3rd, 8th, 11th and 12th graders.
I have been an employee and seen the other side of the workforce. I have run medical units, as well as served as Director of Nursing at one of our local prison psychiatric units (over 400 patients).
I have found over the years that when a job had to be done and there is no one else there to do it, it’s up to me – or you – to take it on, teach yourself (if necessary) and get it done. That's what my diverse experience and attitude can provide to our district citizens.
AFRW: Who are you running against?
JP: There are two Democratic candidates in a runoff, so on Tuesday, July 13th, I will know who I will be running against. Both candidates are experienced politicians - John McGowan, current mayor of Union Springs with over 10 years in local government, and Berry Forte, a Barbour County Commissioner for 28 years.
AFRW: What has been the biggest challenge of the campaign so far?
JP: Getting people to understand that we have a two-party system and that the election is not over until November 2nd -- and they have an opportunity to vote on November 2nd for the best person for the job.
AFRW: What has been the most rewarding aspect of the campaign?
JP: Great campaigning -- meeting lots of new people with wonderful ideas and very positive about my campaign. I’ve enjoyed getting to share my ideas about growing "tourism'" as an economic industry in my district. My district is so full of history, old buildings, wonderful people and lots of opportunity for economic growth in this industry.
AFRW: Tell us about your family. Are they involved with your campaign?
JP: My husband is Allen B. Perrin, a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Later this year we will celebrate our 28th anniversary. We have three children, three grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Our family lives away (in Enterprise, Alabama), so they haven’t been able to be very involved, but they have been proud that someone was willing to try to do something at this time in our country's history.
AFRW: Tell us about your involvement with AFRW.
JP: We have had no Republican representation in Bullock County, but I recently joined the East Alabama Republican Women's group and have made a couple of meetings with these great women. This will be the first time a Republican has run for this office in over 12 years - maybe much longer.
AFRW: Why are you a Republican?
JP: I am basically a constitutionalist – very conservative. My values lie closely to the platform of the Republican Party.
AFRW: Would you encourage more women to run for office?
JP: YES! YES! YES! We need more women to run! Most women I know in business and politics are go getters and tend to get results.
