I Never Planned to Run for Office. Then Life Changed My Mind.

Hi, my name is Ashley Sharpe, and I am running for Alabama State Senate District 22.

I am running because Alabama is my home, and I want this state to be home for all Alabamians. From blue-collar workers and young families to senior citizens, all Alabamians deserve a living wage, affordable housing, and public servants who work for them.

I am a criminal justice student at the University of Alabama, and criminal justice reform is important to me. True crime prevention comes from citizens living dignified lives. Making life in Alabama easier and more affordable has been shown to lower crime rates. It is time for Alabama to hold up its end of the deal.

“True crime prevention comes from citizens living dignified lives. ”

I was born here in Baldwin County to Charles and Renee Sharpe. My father was in law enforcement for most of his career, and my mother worked different jobs to help make ends meet. I grew up in church and participated in Girl Scouts. My whole childhood and adolescence were shaped by the belief that serving others was of the utmost importance. After high school, I spent the summer in Texas as a missionary, serving the Hispanic community by providing ESL classes for adults and Vacation Bible School for children. I also served at Mission Arlington, giving back to that community.

I decided to attend the University of Mobile after high school. I struggled financially in college, so I left school to focus on work. I worked in the service industry, advancing from server to shift leader and assistant manager. When the pandemic hit, I decided to use that time to make a pivot from the food industry into a lasting career. I started working at an assisted living facility — this was my favorite job I have ever had. It was rewarding to spend my time with the elderly and those dealing with memory issues. I gained a new perspective on how valuable and fleeting life can be.

While working at the assisted living facility, I was also the primary caregiver for my father, who had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. He spent almost two years in hospice, and it was one of the most difficult times of my life.

One of the things you never get used to as a 30-year-old is knowing that you are responsible for your parents at the end of their lives.

During this time, I witnessed just how difficult it was to navigate the healthcare and Medicare system. My father was a veteran, and it should have been easier for him to receive the care he needed for a dignified end of life. After my father passed, I decided to go back to school and study Criminal Justice.

I graduated magna cum laude with my associate's degree from Coastal Alabama Community College and was accepted into the University of Alabama's Criminology & Criminal Justice program. To gain experience in the criminal justice system, I was hired by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office as a Corrections Officer, which gave me a deeper look into how the system works. When I resigned from my position, I knew it was time to run for office.

Politics wasn't something I was always interested in. I grew up in a very conservative family, so when I started paying attention to the 2016 election, I believed I would be voting Republican. As I watched the debates and interviews, I realized that the Republican Party didn't speak to the issues I was passionate about — like taking care of the needy, the elderly, and the vulnerable. I started noticing something deeply lacking in the political system: genuine public service. Politicians are elected officials who should be dedicated to their constituents' well-being.

Looking back, my whole life had been leading me to this moment.

As a child, I wanted to be a teacher, police officer, actress, nurse, veterinarian, missionary, and lawyer. I never understood why I couldn't settle on one path. It's clear to me now that all of those dreams were really telling me the same thing: I wanted to take care of others.

That is why I am running for Alabama State Senate District 22. Alabama is my home and always will be. I grew up in Mississippi, but even then, I knew I was from Alabama — I even remember trading a school project on Arkansas for one on Alabama, just so I could write about this state. Alabama is where I was born, where my whole family is from, dating back several generations. I want what's best for this state and, most importantly, for the people who call it home.