TOM'S ROOTS RUN DEEP
IN EAST ALABAMA:

Tom was born and raised on his family dairy farm in Lee County, graduating from Beauregard High School in 1988. In 1994 he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Auburn University and went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1999.

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Before enrolling at Auburn, Senator Whatley enlisted in the Alabama Army National Guard in 1988 and has served 33 years. In 1992 he received his Commission from Auburn University ROTC and currently serves as DET CDR CECOM as a Colonel. His last overseas assignment was as the Bilateral Affairs Officer, Defense Attaché Office, United States Embassy, Bucharest Romania where he served as a diplomatic liaison between the US Embassy and the Romanian Ministry of Defense. 

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Tom has served our communities in the Alabama State Senate since 2010 on committees that oversee issues affecting Alabama agriculture, banking, finance, healthcare, transportation, and veterans. Currently, Tom serves as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee; this after having the longest tenure in the history of the Alabama State Senate as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. 

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Senator Whatley is a strong supporter of infrastructure at our State Parks. Additionally, he's just finished serving a two-year stint as chairman of the joint State Parks Committee where he helped shepard thru a historic bond issue for State Parks improvements. Since being elected, Whatley has introduced and passed bills that expand broadband coverage and provide healthcare to families living with Autism, among numerous other topics.

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Senator Whatley resides in Auburn, is a member of the Opelika Kiwanis Club, the Lee County Cattleman’s Association, supports various civic organizations, attends Auburn United Methodist Church, & operates a small law firm. Tom is proud of what he's accomplished during his time as Senator but knows there is much more work to do. That's why he's running to serve Lee, Russell, and Tallapoosa counties again.