By John Brice
Correspondent
Super Tuesday was super indeed for Frederick “Reco” Newton who defeated incumbent Chambers County Board of Education President Jeffery L. Finch to represent District One on March 5th of 2024. Finch had served as CCBOE President since November of 2001 and had served as Vice-President for the year previous to that. Having been first elected to the CCBOE in 2006, Finch received 112 votes in his loss to Newton who received 148 votes.
Newton is a lifelong resident of Valley who graduated with the Valley High School Class of 1994 and is currently employed as the Head Coach of the Loachapoka High School varsity football team. Having earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 2003 from Alabama State University, Newton went on to earn his master’s degree in Sports Administration from Troy University in 2010.
His resume also includes twenty-two years of experience as a school teacher as well as a coach, two years on the Alabama High School Athletic Association Football Rules Committee, membership of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools committee, Alabama Education Association membership, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity membership and Minority Coaching Association membership.
Due to no opposition candidates from the Republican party or independents running for the position, Newton is effectively guaranteed to claim the seat and be sworn in next year. In a message posted to his official campaign facebook page on the day after his primary victory, Newton wrote “Good Morning, Chambers County! A huge thank you for your vote of confidence as the Democratic nominee for District 1. It is not lost on me that you came out in spite of the not so great weather conditions. Our work is not done. Our goal remains to push the Chambers County School District to invest in the continued growth and betterment of our students. I’m ready for the journey to make all of our voices heard.”
In a follow up post, Newton wrote “I would like to thank my village because without you there is no me you took a country guy from the 12 and made him believe and I thank you and my lord and savior Jesus christ for that thank you thank you thank you”.
One commenter responded “They couldn’t have elected a better man! Congrats, Coach! You are going to be outstanding!” with another commenter remarking “Congratulations!!! Go b gr8 and work for the people, we r counting on u!! God is good”.