The Pike County Republican Women met Wednesday and heard from candidates for two key local offices.

Shannon Clark, candidate for the Pike County Circuit Court, and Gary Bradshaw, running as Pike County District Attorney, both addressed the club at the meeting.

Clark, an attorney in Coffee County, will face Troy attorney Clif Hastings in the June 2010 primary election.

Clark began by discussing what the office of circuit judge does, hearing criminal, civil and domestic cases for Pike and Coffee Counties.

If elected, Clark would serve on the seat Circuit Judge Robert Barr currently holds, and there would be no seated judge of the three from Pike County.

But, Clark said in the meeting Wednesday, she would be just as dedicated to the Pike County area as she would to her hometown.

“I am running for circuit judge because I have a passion for what I do,” Clark said.

“Whether someone from Pike or Coffee County walks into the courtroom, and I am your judge, you will be treated fairly.”

Clark said she would also be accessible with e-mails, faxes and would even hold her home office in Troy if it was a problem for her not to.

Clark began her career as a prosecutor for a district attorney’s office during law school. She has been working as a private practice attorney since, totaling more than 13 years experience in the courts of Alabama.

She is also the president of the Coffee County Bar Association.

Bradshaw, also an attorney in Coffee County, will face Pike County Assistant District Attorney Tom Anderson in the primary election.

Bradshaw, a father of four, said he decided to run for office after being involved in his sons’ sporting activities.

“The first time I brought my wife down on the sidelines, she said she didn’t like it because she couldn’t understand what was going on,” Bradshaw said.

“Her perspective was different because she couldn’t hear the announcers.”

Similarly, Bradshaw said after 13 years practicing defesnse law, he could bring a different perspective.

“I have a 77 percent success rate,” Bradshaw said.

A rate, he said, should not have happened.

“I would like to see that office turned around,” Bradshaw said.

District 2 Congressional Candidate Rick Barber, seeking the seat held by Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery, also made a quick appearance at the meeting.

A small business owner and conservative, Barber said he is ready to take a stand and be a strong voice for the district.

“I’m someone ready to take a stand,” he said.

“We currently have a legislator not representing the people. He doesn’t lead on the issues.”