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Gerald Willis (politician)

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Gerald Willis
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
In office
November 13, 1978[1] – 1982
Preceded byTom Shelton
Succeeded byGlen Browder
Constituency57th (1978–1982)
34th (1986–2002)
In office
1986–2002
Preceded byGlen Browder
Member of the Calhoun County Commission
In office
January 4, 1971[2] – January 1, 1975[3]
Preceded byEarl Morgan
Succeeded byMarshall Prickett
Personal details
Born
Noah Gerald Willis

(1940-01-06)January 6, 1940
Nances Creek, Alabama, U.S.
DiedFebruary 13, 2015(2015-02-13) (aged 75)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseFrances Keener
Children3

Noah Gerald Willis (January 6, 1940 – February 13, 2015) was an American businessman and politician who served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1978 to 1982, and 1986 to 2002, as a member of the Democratic Party. Willis also sought the Democratic presidential nomination in the 1984 election.

Willis was born in Nances Creek, Alabama, and worked as a bus driver and electrician before founding a lumber mill in 1965. His business grew to earn millions in the 1980s before shutting down in 1989. He used his wealth to construct a replica of Andrew Jackson's Hermitage. Willis was active in local politics in Calhoun County, Alabama, and was on the county commission.

Willis was elected to the state house in 1978, but did not seek reelection in order to focus on his presidential campaign. He was critical of the Democratic Party of Georgia and League of Women Voters for not recognizing his candidacy. He received a few thousand votes, but won the vice-presidential primary in New Hampshire. He unsuccessfully sought election to the United States House of Representatives in 1996 and 2002.

Early life

[edit]

Noah Gerald Willis was born in Nances Creek, Alabama, on January 6, 1940, to Noah Sanford and Myra Lou Rainey Willis.[4][5] He graduated from White Plains High School.[6] Willis married Frances Eloise Keener, with whom he had three children, on August 21, 1959.[4][7]

Career

[edit]

Business

[edit]

Willis was a bus driver for his school at age 15. He worked as an electrician in Anniston for three years. He created a sawmill business in 1965, using $350 in savings and a $1,700 loan. His company earned $14,000 in its first year and grew to earn around $2 million yearly by the 1980s.[8] The lumber industry declined in the late 1980s and Willis had to fire 27 of his 29 employees in 1989, before closing his business and auctioning off his lumber mill.[9]

Willis was an admirer of Andrew Jackson. In 1959, he determined that he wanted a mansion designed to be a copy of The Hermitage after watching The President's Lady. He first saw the building in 1972, and started construction on his own replica in Nances Creek, on July 7, 1978.[10][11] His family moved into the house on July 4, 1980, months before construction was completed. The building cost $200,000.[12] A resolution declaring his house the Alabama Hermitage was passed by the Alabama Legislature.[13]

Local politics

[edit]

Willis was elected to the Calhoun County Democratic Executive Committee in 1966.[14] He was a trustee of the White Plains School, vice-president of the parent–teacher association, and president of the Civitan International of White Plains.[6]

Earl Morgan, a member of the Calhoun County Commission, announced that he would not seek reelection in 1970.[15] Willis placed first in the initial Democratic primary and won the runoff election.[16][17] He defeated Republican nominee H. Brad Snead.[18] He was the youngest man elected to the county commission.[19] Willis lost renomination to Marshall Prickett in the 1974 primary.[20]

State legislature

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Elections

[edit]

Tom Shelton, a member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 57th district, announced that he would not seek reelection in 1978.[21] Willis announced his candidacy on May 25,[22] and placed first in the initial Democratic primary[23] before defeating John Nisbet Jr. in the runoff.[24] He defeated Republican nominee Orval Matteson.[25] Willis did not seek reelection in 1982, and was succeeded by Glen Browder.[26]

Willis sought the Democratic nomination in the 34th district in the 1986 election.[27] He placed first in the initial Democratic primary[28] and defeated Ed Kimbrough in the runoff.[29] He defeated Republican nominee A.C. Shelton Jr. in the general election.[30] In 1990, Willis defeated Jerry Smith, mayor pro tem of Jacksonville, in the primary[31] and faced no opposition in the general election.[32] In 1994, he defeated Frank Cobb in the Democratic primary and faced no opposition in the general election.[33] He faced no opposition in the 1998 election.[34]

Tenure

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During Willis' tenure in the state house he served on the Agriculture, Banking, Insurance, and Local Government committees. He served as vice-chair of the Business and Labor committee and vice-chair and chair of the Conservation committee.[35][36][37]

Willis supported George Wallace in the 1982 gubernatorial election.[38] He supported Tom Drake for speaker in 1991.[39] Willis considered seeking the Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial nomination in the 1994 election.[40]

Presidential campaign

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The first person Willis voted for president was John F. Kennedy.[41] In 1980, Willis and his wife ran to serve as delegates to the Democratic National Convention for Jimmy Carter from the Alabama's 3rd congressional district, but were unsuccessful.[42][43][44][45] He ran to serve as a delegate from the 3rd congressional district to the 2000 Democratic National Convention.[46]

On February 11, 1982, Willis stated that he was considering running for the Democratic nomination in the 1984 presidential election.[19] He announced that he would not run for reelection to the state house and instead run for president on April 19.[47] His campaign headquarters was in Piedmont, Alabama,[48] and his wife served as his campaign manager.[49]

Willis attended the 1983 Georgia Jefferson–Jackson Dinner, but was not recognized as a presidential candidate.[50] Paul Weston, executive director of the Democratic Party of Georgia, stated that the party limited recognition to those recognized by the national media.[51] He placed third behind Alan Cranston and Fritz Hollings in a straw poll conducted by the Alabama Young Democrats.[52] He considered switching to seek the presidential nomination of the American Independent Party.[53] He criticized the League of Women Voters for not inviting him to a debate hosted on March 11, 1984.[54]

Willis was the third candidate to qualify for Alabama's Democratic presidential primary.[55] Bert Lance, the chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, added Willis' name to the state's primary ballot "in the interest of fairness" and due to Willis performing better than multiple major candidates in the delegate selection caucus.[56] He focused his campaign on Alabama, Georgia, and New Hampshire.[57]

By December 1983, Willis believed that Walter Mondale had "the thing sewn up", but hoped to gain enough support in the primaries to be considered for the vice presidential nomination.[58] Willis received 50 votes in New Hampshire,[59] 6,153 votes in Alabama,[60] and 1,804 votes in Georgia.[61] He ran in the American Independent presidential primary in California, but placed last behind Gordon "Jack" Mohr, A.J. Lowery, and Charles Glenn.[62] He unsuccessfully attempted to serve as an at-large delegate to the Democratic National Convention.[63] Willis won the New Hampshire Democratic vice-presidential primary.[64] He raised $143,505, with $122,755 coming from himself, and spent $143,274 during his campaign.[65]

Congressional campaigns

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In 1996, Browder, a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from the 3rd congressional district, chose to run in the U.S. senatorial election rather than seek reelection.[66] Willis announced his campaign for the Democratic nomination on February 16,[67][68] but placed third behind T. D. Little and Gerald Dial.[69] Willis did not endorse Dial, but stated that he would vote for him.[70] He raised $179,135, with $150,000 coming from himself, and spent $178,278 during the campaign.[71]

Willis said that he would run in the 2002 election if he was still within the 3rd congressional district after redistricting.[72] Willis announced his campaign on January 30, 2002,[73] but lost in the Democratic primary to Joe Turnham.[74] Willis endorsed Republican nominee Mike Rogers.[75] Rogers, who narrowly won the election, credited his victory to Willis' endorsement.[76] He raised and spent $479,087, with $424,884.51 being a loan from himself, during the campaign.[77]

Later life

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Willis suffered a heart attack on April 7, 1998.[78] He was appointed to the Natural Resources Conservation Service by George W. Bush.[4] He died on February 13, 2015. Rogers was one of the people who officiated his funeral.[4]

Political positions

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In 1982, Willis proposed a resolution asking the United States Congress to support legislation by Representative Henry B. González that would repeal the Federal Reserve Act.[79] Willis supported legislation that criminalized marital rape.[80] He opposed the closure of Fort McClellan.[81] He voted in favor a resolution calling for President Bill Clinton to continue a ban on gay people serving in the military.[82] He voted in favor of anti-abortion legislation.[83] Willis proposed legislation to put "In God We Trust" posters in all classrooms.[84]

Willis supported the invasion of Grenada and funding for groups opposed to the Sandinista National Liberation Front, but opposed sending the United States Marine Corps to Lebanon. He supported the SALT II Treaty, a nuclear freeze, and a 2.5% yearly cut in the defense budget.[85] He wanted to repeal the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and North American Free Trade Agreement.[86]

Electoral history

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1970 Calhoun County Commission Democratic primary[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis 4,199 27.31%
Democratic Marshall Prickett 4,086 26.58%
Democratic Jerre Evans 3,630 23.61%
Democratic Floyd Holder 3,460 22.50%
Total votes 15,375 100.00%
1970 Calhoun County Commission Democratic runoff primary[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis 13,114 51.19%
Democratic Marshall Prickett 12,506 48.81%
Total votes 25,620 100.00%
1970 Calhoun County Commission election[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis 15,936 88.31%
Republican H. Brad Snead 2,110 11.69%
Total votes 18,046 100.00%
1974 Calhoun County Commission Democratic primary[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Marshall Prickett 9,678 55.21%
Democratic Gerald Willis (incumbent) 6,458 36.84%
Democratic Wilson Richardson 1,394 7.95%
Total votes 17,530 100.00%
1978 Alabama House of Representatives 57th district Democratic primary[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis 2,573 47.40%
Democratic John Nisbet Jr. 1,357 25.00%
Democratic Joseph Read 1,244 22.92%
Democratic Jerre Evans 254 4.68%
Total votes 5,428 100.00%
1978 Alabama House of Representatives 57th district Democratic runoff primary[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis 4,273 66.15%
Democratic John Nisbet Jr. 2,187 33.85%
Total votes 6,460 100.00%
1978 Alabama House of Representatives 57th district election[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis 3,900 81.15%
Republican Orval Matteson 905 18.83%
Write-ins Margaret Stout 1 0.02%
Total votes 4,806 100.00%
1984 New Hampshire Democratic vice-presidential primary[64]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis 14,870 66.75%
Democratic Alwin Hopfmann 6,351 28.51%
Democratic George H. W. Bush (write-in) 1,057 4.74%
Total votes 22,278 100.00%
1986 Alabama House of Representatives 34th district Democratic primary[87]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis 3,005 42.50%
Democratic Ed Kimbrough 2,138 30.24%
Democratic K. Johnson 1,927 27.26%
Total votes 7,070 100.00%
1986 Alabama House of Representatives 34th district Democratic runoff primary[87]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis 8,727 53.53%
Democratic Ed Kimbrough 7,576 46.47%
Total votes 16,303 100.00%
1986 Alabama House of Representatives 34th district election[87]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis 6,191 65.80%
Republican A.C. Shelton Jr. 3,218 34.20%
Total votes 9,409 100.00%
1990 Alabama House of Representatives 34th district Democratic primary[88]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis (incumbent) 3,410 52.51%
Democratic Jerry Smith 3,084 47.49%
Total votes 6,494 100.00%
1990 Alabama House of Representatives 34th district election[88]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis (incumbent) 6,290 100.00%
Total votes 6,290 100.00%
1994 Alabama House of Representatives 34th district Democratic primary[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis (incumbent) 4,037 70.55%
Democratic Frank Cobb 1,685 29.45%
Total votes 5,722 100.00%
1994 Alabama House of Representatives 34th district election[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis (incumbent) 5,180 100.00%
Total votes 5,180 100.00%
1996 U.S. House of Representatives Alabama 3rd congressional district Democratic primary[69]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic T. D. Little 25,092 46.78%
Democratic Gerald Dial 13,843 25.81%
Democratic Gerald Willis 11,714 21.84%
Democratic Lea Fite Jr. 2,993 5.58%
Total votes 53,642 100.00%
1998 Alabama House of Representatives 34th district election[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gerald Willis (incumbent) 8,249 98.93%
Independent Write-ins 89 1.07%
Total votes 8,338 100.00%
2002 U.S. House of Representatives Alabama 3rd congressional district Democratic primary[74]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Turnham 30,245 52.40%
Democratic Gerald Willis 22,336 38.70%
Democratic Willie Burnett 5,139 8.90
Total votes 57,720 100.00%

References

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  1. ^ "Newly elected take office". The Anniston Star. November 14, 1974. p. 6A. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Trio takes county reins". The Anniston Star. January 5, 1971. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "I Would Like To Extend My Deep Appreciation". The Anniston Star. May 19, 1974. p. 12D. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d "Noah Gerald Willis". The Anniston Star. February 15, 2015. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024.
  5. ^ "Biographical details". The Anniston Star. April 19, 1987. p. 1D. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Willis Heads Civitan Club". The Anniston Star. July 3, 1968. p. 8B. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Miss Keener, Noah Willis Are Married". The Anniston Star. August 30, 1959. p. 6B. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "An uncommon dream". The Anniston Star. November 6, 1982. p. 4B. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Rep. Gerald Willis to auction off lumber mill". The Anniston Star. September 9, 1989. p. 2A. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Man with a plan following through on his Hermitage". The Anniston Star. February 4, 1979. p. 1C. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "He's building own Hermitage". Selma Times-Journal. February 14, 1979. p. B2. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Willises open 'Hermitage' today". The Anniston Star. November 2, 1980. p. 20A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Pinkey' Roberts is Citizen of Year". The Anniston Star. April 27, 1981. p. 5A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Richards Top Man In Committee Vote". The Anniston Star. May 4, 1966. p. 2A. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Two Announce Candidacy". The Anniston Star. January 18, 1970. p. 6C. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ a b "Runoffs Seen For Every Seat On Calhoun County Commission". The Anniston Star. May 6, 1970. p. 8A. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b "Simmons Pleased With Commission". The Anniston Star. June 3, 1970. p. 7A. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ a b "Official tally records 21,681 Calhoun votes". The Anniston Star. November 8, 1970. p. 1D. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ a b "Willis considering entry in primaries". The Anniston Star. February 12, 1982. p. 5A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ a b "Official county results". The Anniston Star. May 9, 1974. p. 8A. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Who wants Shelton's seat?". The Anniston Star. May 18, 1978. p. 1D. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Willis says he'll run for District 57 seat". The Anniston Star. May 26, 1978. p. 5A. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ a b "Official vote tally completed for Calhoun". The Anniston Star. September 10, 1978. p. 11A. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ a b "Runoff results certified". The Anniston Star. September 30, 1978. p. 5A. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ a b "Calhoun favors Amendment 4". The Anniston Star. November 14, 1978. p. 5B. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "JSU professor benefits from political lesson". The Anniston Star. September 29, 1982. p. 10A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Willis seeks ex-post". The Anniston Star. March 4, 1986. p. 5B. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Jacksonville is the focus on House race". The Anniston Star. June 20, 1986. p. 9A. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Willis grabs runoff win". The Anniston Star. June 25, 1986. p. 3. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Willis returning to Legislature". The Anniston Star. November 5, 1986. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "Smith tells of candidacy". The Anniston Star. January 24, 1990. p. 1B. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Calhoun: An all-Democratic delegation". The Anniston Star. November 6, 1990. p. 5. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ a b c "1994 Election Results Archive - Alabama Legislature". Secretary of State of Alabama. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023.
  34. ^ a b "1998 Election Results Archive - Alabama Legislature". Secretary of State of Alabama. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023.
  35. ^ "County's delegates get committee posts". The Anniston Star. January 11, 1979. p. 8A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Willis named natural resources chairman". Montgomery Advertiser. December 12, 1980. p. 27. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "List of House of Representatives committee appointments". Montgomery Advertiser. January 18, 1987. p. 6C. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Contributors are numerous in statewide races". The Anniston Star. September 26, 1982. p. 16A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "Speaker". The Anniston Star. January 6, 1991. p. 6A. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "Willis may seek state No. 2 post". The Anniston Star. May 2, 1992. p. 3A. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Alabama listeners praise speech". Birmingham Post-Herald. January 21, 1993. p. A1. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ "500 eye posts as delegates". Birmingham Post-Herald. January 16, 1980. p. C7. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "500 eye posts as delegates". The Prattville Progress. March 6, 1980. p. 15. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "Carter, Reagan big winners in Calhoun County". The Anniston Star. March 18, 1980. p. 7D. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "Alabama Democrats to pick 14 convention delegates". The Anniston Star. March 25, 1980. p. 8B. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Elect Gerald Willis". The Anniston Star. June 4, 2000. p. 4D. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^ "Willis seeks presidential nomination". The Anniston Star. April 20, 1982. p. 4B. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "Gerald Willis opens headquarters in Piedmont". The Anniston Star. February 24, 1983. p. 1D. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ "Willis appoints wife as campaign manager". The Anniston Star. May 8, 1983. p. 8A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "Democrats hear front runners, leave Willis out". The Anniston Star. March 9, 1983. p. 9C. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "'Dear Mr. Willis ...'". The Anniston Star. March 23, 1983. p. 4B. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "Cranston wins the votes in tiny state Democratic straw poll". Montgomery Advertiser. June 19, 1983. p. 3A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^ "Willis: Independents courting his candidacy". The Anniston Star. September 12, 1983. p. 3A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ^ "Willis rap league after rejection". Montgomery Advertiser. March 10, 1984. p. 9B. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ^ "Willis qualifies for long shot run in White House derby". Birmingham Post-Herald. January 13, 1984. p. B8. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ^ "Georgia's ballot to include Willis". The Anniston Star. February 15, 1984. p. 5B. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ^ "Monday's Iowa Caucuses first test for candidates". The Anniston Star. February 19, 1984. p. 1D. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. ^ "Willis Wants VP Nomination". Dothan Eagle. December 30, 1983. p. 3A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. ^ Morgan 1985, p. 56-57.
  60. ^ "Election Results Archive - President - Primary Elections". Secretary of State of Alabama. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023.
  61. ^ Cleland 1984, p. 3.
  62. ^ Fu 1984, p. 66.
  63. ^ "Willis campaign falls silent". The Anniston Star. April 29, 1984. p. 8A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  64. ^ a b Vice Presidential Primary 1985, p. 100.
  65. ^ "Willis, Noah Gerald". Federal Election Commission. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024.
  66. ^ "Lawmaker joins race for Senate". Montgomery Advertiser. January 27, 1996. p. 3F. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  67. ^ "Gerald Willis Announces His Candidacy for U.S. Congress". The Anniston Star. February 15, 1996. p. 6A. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  68. ^ "Willis becomes first Democrat in race to succeed Browder". The Anniston Star. February 16, 1996. p. 7A. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  69. ^ a b "1996 Primary Election Results - Democratic Party (1st and 2nd primary)". Secretary of State of Alabama. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023.
  70. ^ "Three runoff candidates pick up endorsements of former rivals". The Anniston Star. June 14, 1996. p. 9A. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  71. ^ "Willis, Noah Gerald". Federal Election Commission. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024.
  72. ^ "Six considering race for Bob Riley's congressional seat". Selma Times-Journal. January 3, 2002. p. 3A. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  73. ^ "Willis announces run in new 3rd district". Birmingham Post-Herald. February 4, 2002. p. D2. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  74. ^ a b "2002 General Election Results - Precinct Level". Secretary of State of Alabama. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023.
  75. ^ "Willis crosses party line to endorse Rogers". The Anniston Star. August 18, 2002. p. 1A. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  76. ^ "Willis". The Anniston Star. February 14, 2015. p. 3A. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  77. ^ "Willis, Noah Gerald". Federal Election Commission. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024.
  78. ^ "Willis suffers heart attack". The Anniston Star. April 8, 1998. p. 1A. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  79. ^ "Lawmakers come close on money matters". The Anniston Star. February 3, 1982. p. 2A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  80. ^ "Rape bill passes House". The Anniston Star. July 18, 1987. p. 1A. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  81. ^ "Gerald Willis to seek re-election". The Anniston Star. February 27, 1990. p. 11A. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  82. ^ "Roll call". Montgomery Advertiser. February 3, 1993. p. 9A. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  83. ^ "House votes to limit abortions". The Anniston Star. May 9, 1997. p. 13A. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  84. ^ "House Dems call for changes". The Anniston Star. January 9, 2002. p. 1B. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  85. ^ "Gerald Willis". The Anniston Star. January 12, 1984. p. 5A. Archived from the original on February 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  86. ^ "Gerald Willis". The Anniston Star. May 28, 1996. p. 9A. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  87. ^ a b c "1986 Election Results Archive - Alabama Legislature". Secretary of State of Alabama. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023.
  88. ^ a b "1990 Election Results Archive - Alabama Legislature". Secretary of State of Alabama. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023.

Works cited

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