DAPHNE — All Republican candidates running for a Baldwin County Commission seat spoke at a forum Monday night, where the range of topics spanned growth, infrastructure, public safety and their vision for the county.

Those in attendance for the public event, held by the Eastern Shore Republican Women (ESRW), included Jeb Ball and Richard Cox (District 1), Angelo Fermo and Kyle Henderson (District 2), Billie Jo Underwood, Kevin Brock and Phillip Dembowski (District 3) and Brett Gaar, Tracey Gambill and John "Tater" Harris (District 4).

In the hour-long discussion, candidates were also asked questions that were specific to their district.

In District 1, which includes Bay Minette and rural communities in North Baldwin, incumbent Commissioner Jeb Ball, who is serving his second term and seeking a third, said they are working on implementing strategic plans to preserve rural infrastructure.

Richard Cox said he will work to improve local roads, particularly bridges, to help with the transportation of products throughout the county.

District 2 includes the Eastern Shore, an area that has seen significant population growth. Kyle Henderson started by saying, "I do believe that this is a situation where me and my opponent, we differ." He said the county is growing at a "breakneck speed" and needs to be better controlled.

"If you want someone who supports the massive growth in companies such as D.R. Horton, Truman, 68 Ventures, I'm not your guy, and I encourage you to go online and look at where my money's coming from and where my opponent's is, and you'll see a big difference," Henderson said.

Angelo Fermo dismissed Henderson's statement, saying he will "ride and die" with the farmers of Baldwin County but added they have the right to sell their land as "it's their land, [and] it's their birthright."

"I guess we're gonna have to take Tommy Tuberville off the ballot 'cause 68 Ventures donated to them, too," Fermo said. "68 Ventures did not donate to me; a friend of mine, Nathan Cox, did, and I'll always stand by anybody I've ever done veterans events for in the state of Alabama, so we're gonna go on and knock that rumor out of the park here."

Cox is the CEO of 68 Ventures, headquartered in Daphne, and served in the United States Marine Corps.

District 2 Commissioner Matt McKenzie is not seeking a second term to instead run for sheriff.

In District 3, which covers Central Baldwin north of Foley and has grown to be the nucleus of the local agriculture industry and residential expansion, each candidate shared similar sentiments on protecting farmland while managing growth and improving public services.

Commissioner Billie Jo Underwood cited her husband's job as a pecan farmer, saying while more residential areas being built is inevitable, she noted that there has to be a balance to protect agriculture within the county. She is seeking a third term.

Phillip Dembowski said the best plan is to manage how farmland and wetlands are used and zones are kept in their proper zoning designations and to make sure that Highway 59 doesn't "end up looking like Airport Boulevard in Mobile."

Kevin Brock said he has talked to farmers who are worried about losing their land, adding that the only way to manage zoning is by looking at subdivision zoning and working out how it is implemented in the county.

District 4 is a tourist hub that covers essentially Foley, Magnolia Springs and Elberta south. John "Tater" Harris cited the large amounts of people coming to the county and wanting to live here after visiting, saying they have to work with their constituents and support the people already living here.

Tracey Gambill cited Baldwin County's master plan from 2023, saying she will be there to help people get the quality of life they want. Brett Garr talked about how the environment plays a big part in the area's way and quality of life, citing Gulf State Park as an example of what they could do around the county in regards to the environment and recreation.

District 4 Commissioner the Honorable Charles "Skip" Gruber, in his fifth term, is not seeking re-election.

Following the commission discussion, McKenzie spoke. McKenzie, who previously served as an Alabama state trooper, addressed rumors that he "didn't do anything but work in driver's license."

"When you become an Alabama state trooper, you have to work the road for a minimum of three years before you can do anything," McKenzie said. "So, you're going to hear rumors out there about that. About that, 'Matt didn't do anything but work in the driver's license.' Yes, I did work in driver's license, but I was a fraud investigator. I did all that with driver's license. So, I'm the only candidate that's got boots on the ground. The only candidate that's got boots on the ground. I'm going to repeat that because they say I don't have any experience. Well, I do."

McKenzie is running against Sheriff Anthony Lowery on the Republican ticket.

The Baldwin County Democrats website featuring a "meet the candidates" section does not list any candidates for county offices.

The primary elections will be held on May 19.