By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – A Vernon businessman is the new executive director of the state Democratic Party. Jim Spearman says he plans to reach out to the grass roots to re-energize the Democratic Party. He is currently the state party's vice chair for county affairs and is chair of the Lamar County Democratic Executive Committee. He's also involved with various businesses in Vernon and Red Bay as well as in Lamar, Marion and Walker Counties. Spearman replaces Mike Kanarick. Kanarick resigned to take care of his twins, who were born in December.