Calhoun County, AL — As the 2026 election cycle approaches, incumbent Calhoun County Commissioner Danny Shears is making his case to voters in District 2, pointing to a lifetime of local roots, decades of community service, and what he describes as a responsive, hands-on approach to leadership.
Shears, who has served on the commission for the past four and a half years, represents a geographically large and diverse district that includes parts of Oxford, East Anniston, Golden Springs, White Plains, DeArmanville, Chocolocco, and surrounding rural areas. He notes that District 2 is one of the largest in the county due to its mix of population density and farmland communities.
According to Shears, his connection to the area runs deep.
“I’ve lived here all my life,” he said, noting that his parents and grandparents also called Calhoun County home.
His background in public service began decades before taking office. Shears shared that his involvement dates back to the late 1980s, when he joined civic organizations, served on nonprofit boards, and coached youth sports.
“I like to say I’ve been paying my civic rent for a long time,” he said, describing years of volunteer work and community involvement.
That foundation, he said, ultimately led him to run for county commissioner — a role he views as an extension of that service, but with greater ability to impact residents’ daily lives.
“It’s still serving, just in a larger capacity,” Shears explained. “Now I have resources where I can really make a difference and help people.”
Throughout his term, Shears emphasized accessibility as a key part of his approach. He described himself as someone who prioritizes answering calls, returning messages, and listening to constituents — even when solutions are not always possible.
“Sometimes people just want somebody to listen to them,” he said. “And I try to be that person.”
He also acknowledged the day-to-day realities of the job, noting that while the position is technically part-time, it often requires full-time attention. Issues brought to his office range from infrastructure concerns like potholes to quality-of-life matters such as stray animals and roadside cleanup.
Looking ahead, Shears said his campaign centers less on specific promises and more on what he describes as proven leadership and collaboration.
“I’m one of five votes,” he said. “If I’m out on an island and can’t work with the other commissioners, nothing gets done.”
He pointed to teamwork within the commission as essential to moving projects forward and addressing countywide needs.
Shears also acknowledged that leadership often comes with difficult decisions.
“It’s not always easy. Sometimes you have to weigh both sides and make tough calls,” he said.
Still, he believes his time in office has demonstrated the type of leadership voters are looking for.
“Every community needs leaders,” Shears said. “And I’m hoping the voters in District 2 have seen proven leadership over the last four years.”
As the race for District 2 unfolds, Shears is positioning his campaign around experience, responsiveness, and a long-standing connection to the community he serves — leaving it to voters to decide whether that record merits another term.
