Henry Eugene "Hank" Erwin, Jr. is a Christian evangelical broadcaster and a former Republican State Senator in Alabama

Alabama

Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

 (USA), representing the 14th District since 2002. He represented portions of Jefferson

Jefferson County, Alabama

Jefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, with its county seat being located in Birmingham.As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 658,466...

, Shelby

Shelby County, Alabama

Shelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and a part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area. It is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. The county seat of Shelby County is Columbiana. As of 2010 U.S. Census the population was 195,085. Shelby...

, Bibb

Bibb County, Alabama

Bibb County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of William W. Bibb, the first Governor of Alabama. As of 2010 the population was 22,915. The county seat is Centreville...

 and Chilton

Chilton County, Alabama

-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*84.1% White*9.7% Black*0.4% Native American*0.3% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.2% Two or more races*7.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...

 Counties.

Biography

Erwin is the son of Henry Eugene "Red" Erwin, Sr.

Henry E. Erwin

Henry Eugene "Red" Erwin, Sr., was a United States Army Air Forces airman and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II. He earned the award as a staff sergeant and radio operator aboard a B-29 Superfortress in the Asia-Pacific theater...

, a U.S. Army Air Forces sergeant who earned the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

 in World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...

 and graduated from Ensley High School

Ensley High School

Ensley High School, located in the Ensley neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama , was founded in 1901 to serve the then-independent community of Ensley, which was centered around major plants operated by U.S. Steel and the American Cast Iron Pipe Company. It began with classes held at the Old Bush...

 in 1967 before going on to earn degrees at Troy State University

Troy University

Troy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...

 (1972), Southeastern Bible College

Southwestern Christian University

Southwestern Christian University was founded in 1946 as an educational institution based on the Bible and the first Pentecostal educational institution in the state. As first a Bible college, for the training of Christian church leaders within the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, the...

 (1974), and the Dallas Seminary (1981).

Erwin broke into broadcasting in the 1970s and served radio & TV stations in Dallas, Texas, and Birmingham, Alabama for almost 35 years. He was elected to the Alabama Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. He is a member of the Southern Baptist Church.

2010 Lt. Governor Campaign

In April 2009, Erwin announced his plans to seek the position of Lt. Governor against current incumbent, Jim Folsom

Jim Folsom, Jr.

James Elisha Folsom, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who was the 50th Governor of Alabama from April 22, 1993 to January 16, 1995.-Early life and career:...

. He received the endorsement of the Alabama GOP Senate Caucus, eight city Mayors, the Trussville Tea Party and the Cullman Tea Party, and Governor Bob Riley.

Kay Ivey

Kay Ivey

Kay Ellen Ivey is a Republican politician and formerly served as the 38th Alabama State Treasurer. Ivey is the 30th and current Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, since January 2011.-Early life, education, and early political career:...

 announced a switch from the Governor's race to the Lt. Governor race on March 31, 2010, replacing Erwin as a the leading GOP candidate. Ivey defeated both Erwin and Daphne schoolteacher Gene Ponder by a significant margin in the June 1, 2010, primary.

External links

• Senator Henry E. "Hank" Erwin, Jr. official profile at legislature.state.al.us
• Transcript of appearance on Scarborough County in 2005 expressing views on Katrina
• Transcript of appearance on Hannity & Colmes expressing views on Katrina
• Senator Hank Erwin personal website
• S.A.V. America Ministries website
• Senator Henry E. 'Hank' Erwin Jr. (AL) profile at Project Vote Smart
• Hank Erwin political campaign contributions at "Follow the Money" (1998, 2002, 2006)