Thayer 'Bear' Spencer of Selma qualifies to run for state Senate as a Republican

Thayer “Bear” Spencer of Selma has announced he is running for the 23rd District Alabama Senate Seat representing the Republican Party of Alabama.

Senate District 23 consists of Dallas, Perry, Wilcox, Butler, Clarke, Conecuh, Lowndes and Monroe counties. The seat is held by Democrat Robert Stewart, who is running for reelection.

“I was asked if I would join the team for the Republican Party senate race because I was so disappointed in the efforts on the Democratic level to represent the other seven counties,” Spencer said. “The Democratic senator seems to make all efforts for Dallas County but does not respect the other counties. We know this from voter feedback.”

Spencer said when voters tell him he can’t win the race, he tells them, “You can’t win if you don’t play. I’m not only playing in the political venue, I’m redefining political goals.”

“Understanding that most politicians push their personal agendas, I wish to listen and understand voters’ perspectives and interpret the motivations behind public decision making for the people,” Spencer said. “I work for you and hope to lead with passion.”

This is Spencer’s second run for state senate. He also ran as mayor of Selma twice. Spencer said he dropped out of the 2025 mayor’s race to throw his support behind Johnny Moss III and to clear the way to run for the state senate.

Spencer moved to Selma because he and his wife wanted to restore a historic home. They brought the Henderson House in downtown Selma back to life, only to have it damaged in the January 2023 tornado. He has since moved his mother to Selma. 

During the public comment portion of the Selma City Council meeting, Spencer often presents concerns about spending, infrastructure and preserving historical buildings.

Spencer attended Louisiana Tech University and later moved to Fresno, California, where he completed his nursing home healthcare administrator degree. Since 1989 Spencer has helped seniors secure adequate housing, and he has helped families deal with their loved ones’ health decline, he said in his announcement. 

Spencer’s 89-year-old mother has been receiving care from UAB geriatrics physicians for Alzheimer’s disease, Spencer said.

“If elected to State Senate District 23, I will donate my salary to help benefit the Alabama Alzheimer’s Association, which helps families cope with and understand this medical condition,” Spencer said.

Spencer said his healthcare background “will help spur legislative bills to advocate laws to protect elders from abuse.”

He said he is also passionate about saving historical buildings throughout the district from blight.  

Spencer said he will back legislation that will hold social media companies responsible for their impact on youth and for protecting personal information from cyber-attacks.

The primary election is May 19. A primary runoff, if needed, will be June 16, and the general election is Nov. 3.

Candidates running for municipal offices in the August election can share campaign information like this by emailing platform details to news@blackbeltnewsnetwork.com