Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr., who is seeking re-election as a Democrat, made a campaign stop on Thursday at Ryan’s Family Steakhouse in Jasper.

He spoke with supporters about his plans on continuing to add more commercial and industrial opportunities for the state.

Folsom, the incumbent, was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, and will in November run against Republican nominee and current State Treasurer Kay Ivey.

“I’m running again because over the next four years, we’re going to have to have some serious leadership in the Senate.” Folsom said. “We have a lot of divisions right now in the legislature that prevents us from coming to solid solutions, but we’ve done some good things in this past session that benefited our state and this is what I want to see continue happening for the good of our citizens.”

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and its current and future effects on the state has become a prominent issue for Folsom.

“The Gulf oil spill has had a devastating effect on the economy of our state.” Folsom said. “It’s a very serious issue. I’ve been down there about five times to take a look first hand and it’s going to take strong leadership for us to deal with it and help us get everything moving in the correct course of action.”

Folsom is quick to point out the advances Alabama has made in recent years towards the state’s future commercial opportunities, particularly in the automotive industry.

“One bright spot is the continued growth of our state’s economic development.” he said. “I think we’ve outshined a lot of the other states in economic growth, and we’ve seen some 150,000 new automotive and automotive related jobs come to the state in the past 20 years. That’s really a key in helping us move forward. We’ve got a lot momentum there and I want to see it keep going.”

Folsom maintained his continued support in Walker County, whose future he says looks very impressive, is key to helping win his re-election.

“Walker County has always pulled through for me.” Folsom said. “It’s like home territory for me. I’ve known so many great Walker County residents over the years, shared good times, and hold this county and its people close to my heart.”

“I think Walker County’s brightest days are just a short ways ahead,” he added. “I think when we see I-22 finished and completely opened, this area is going to take off. I’ve seen what I-65 has done for communities like Cullman, Gardendale and Fultondale and it’s set to happen here.”

Folsom, a resident of Cullman and son of former governor “Big” Jim Folsom, is seeking his third election to the office of lieutenant governor. He first served the office in from 1987 to 1993, then became the state’s 50th governor following the removal of Guy Hunt from the office.

Folsom’s tenure as governor was marked by several important events. He helped lead Alabama’s efforts in recruiting a Mercedes plant to the state. The efforts paid off as Alabama would beat 30 other states for the rights to the contract, bringing a plant to Tuscaloosa County, which would also help bring other automobile manufacturers to open plants in the state. Also noteworthy was his ordering of the removal of the Confederate Flag from the state capitol 6 days into his governor’s term, and he would appoint a number of African Americans and women to his staff.

Folsom would narrowly lose the 1994 governor’s election to Republican Fob James, but after 12 years out of the political arena, returned to run for the lieutenant governor seat in 2006, defeating Republican Luther Strange.