McInnis addresses the Mid-Alabama Republican Club

March 14, 2026 – VESTAVIA HILLS – Republican Agriculture Commissioner candidate Christina Woerner McInnis addressed the Mid-Alabama Republican Club (MARC) about her campaign.

Christina Woerner McInnis - a native of Baldwin County - is one of three Republicans running for Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. Senator Jack Williams and Mayor Corey Hill are the other two. Former Commissioner Ron Sparks is the Democratic Party nominee.

McInnis said that she has a "Five-point plan."

"I am running for Commissioner of Ag," McInnis said. "Yes I am a farmer, yes I can drive a tractor; but Agriculture has a $77.3 billion economic impact. You are electing a CEO of a multibillion-dollar business."

McInnis said that while she owns farms; she is also a businesswoman and owns a store.

"My family has 120 years of farming. I am a fifth generation Alabama farmer," said McInnis. "My husband builds bridges. Between us my husband and I employ hundreds of people."

McInnis said that there is a misunderstanding among some in the public about what the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries does.

"No I cannot lower gas prices," McInnis said referring to the Department's certification of gas pumps.

"We are going to do what is best for Alabama, we are going to do what is best for farmers, but also what is best for Alabama families," said McInnis. "Agriculture has a $77.3 billion impact on the Alabama economy."

"The Commissioner is a CEO of a multibillion-dollar business," said McInnis.

McInnis said that a large number of Alabama children receive SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). A very high percentage of those children are clinically obese. McInnis said that part of that is the SNAP rules.

"We can do more," McInnis said.

Mcinnis explained that SNAP does not allow beneficiaries to buy cooked products like rotisserie chicken. A working single mom "She is in survival mode." So she often buys sugary snacks to feed the family fast. She can't buy nutritious ready to each rotisserie chicken with her SNAP benefits because of SNAP rules – rules that McInnis advocated changing.

McInnis warned of Alabama farmland being bought up by the Chinese.

"50% of our meat processors are owned by two foreign companies," said McInnis. "25% of America's pigs are owned by China."

McInnis said that finding the next generation of farmers to produce our food has become a national security issue.

She proposed creating a voluntary grant portal managed by the Department of Agriculture.

McInnis also said that young Americans are increasingly ignorant of where their food comes form

'These kids go to college and they don't know that potatoes are grown in the ground," said McInnis.

"I am excited to work for you," as Ag Commissioner said McInnis. "I am a farmer. I am interviewing for a CEO job."

The Mid-Alabama Republican Party (MARC) meets on the second Saturday of each month at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center at 8:30 a.m.

Senator Jack Williams (R-Wilmer) and Mayor Corey Hill are also running in the Republican primary om May 19. The eventual GOP nominee will face former Commissioner Ron Sparks (D) in the general election.

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