Friday, April 04, 2008
By PATRICIA C. McCARTER

Times Staff Writer patricia.mccarter@htimes.com

Republican who ran against Cramer twice hopes to win seat

Three weeks ago, Wayne Parker was on his way to Washington, D.C., for the surprise 80th birthday party of his father-in-law, 30-year Republican congressman Bill Archer from Texas.

Thursday, Parker was standing in front of 150 supporters as he announced he was officially a Republican contender for Alabama's 5th congressional district, something "I would have thought you were crazy" if you'd told him he'd be doing just three weeks ago.

He said his life was "settled and sweet" when he got word that U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, was announcing his retirement. Parker, a vice president with Insurance Office of America, ran against Cramer in 1994 - losing by 1 percent of the vote - and again in 1996, and hasn't been a candidate since.

He worked for several years in the Washington, D.C., area with the International Foundation and the Export Import Bank before moving back to North Alabama in 1994.

"The dialogue and tone in our nation's Capitol has become, in a word, toxic," Parker said. "People all across America are fearful about sinking housing prices and rising gasoline costs... securing our borders and the war in Iraq."

Parker said with 30 new congressmen set to be elected, he hopes that the dialogue can be more productive.

Other Republicans who have announced they'll run are Huntsville Symphony musician Mark Huff, independent salesman George Barry and real estate attorney Ray McKee.

Democrats who have qualified are Huntsville's state Sen. Parker Griffith, a retired cancer doctor, and Dr. David Maker, an optical physicist.

This article originally appeared in The Huntsville Times: link