MADISON – Mary Scott Hunter has entered the race in the open seat election to represent District 7 in the Alabama State Senate.

“The people of my district know me as a fighter, as a wife, a mom of three children who attend public school and a woman of faith,” Hunter said. “They have seen me tested and know the quality of my character.”

“I love this state, and I love the place I call home, Madison County, Alabama. I’ve decided to enter the race for Senate District 7 because it’s where I can best serve the people,” Hunter said.

Hunter was first elected to the Alabama State Board of Education in 2010.

“I’m not a rookie in all of this, and I’m coming into this race with many allies and knowing where the snakes hide. There is much work ahead,” Hunter said. “I intend to use my experience serving on the Alabama State Board of Education to support efforts at all levels to improve public education from pre-kindergarten through doctorate.”

“Good jobs are everything. To get them, we must prepare and lay the groundwork in education, infrastructure, health care and other important areas. I look forward to the challenge,” Hunter said.

An Air Force veteran, Hunter received bachelor, master and law degrees from the University of Alabama. She works for Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation in advising and leading the company’s business interest in compliance, ethics and risk.

Her husband Jon Shultz, an engineer, owns Resolution LLC that delivers advisory services to NASA and other customers. Mary Scott and Jon were married in 2000 and stationed together in Germany before moving their family to Huntsville in 2005.

The couple attends Trinity United Methodist Church where Mary Scott leads an adult Sunday school class.

Hunter, a conservative Republican, has served as trustee for Alabama Community College System, first as an elected office holder and for the last two years as appointed ex-officio member.

Alabama Senate District 7 lies entirely in Madison County.

Originally, Hunter announced that she would run for lieutenant governor but switched to enter the senate race. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, has held the seat but is not running for reelection.