Terri Osborne

Terri Osborne earned a high school diploma from Bradshaw High School. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree from the University of Alabama. Her career experience includes working as a geologist.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Terri Osborne, a 30-year Daphne resident and geologist running for Alabama State House District 96 to fight for affordable living—from housing to healthcare—and protecting our natural resources.

I’m running to represent each and every one of my neighbors, but especially those who continue to be overlooked and underserved by elected officials. Instead of being resigned to support the least-bad candidate or checking out of civic engagement entirely, I hope you’ll use your voice and your vote so that I can be a voice in the State Legislature for the least of these in our community.

As a Trans Woman, I know the urgency of defending bodily autonomy and equal rights for all. I’m running to be a voice for the forgotten, to challenge the status quo and career politicians who answer to the wealthy and politically powerful rather than the people they represent.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability

Quality healthcare must be affordable and accessible for every Alabamian, regardless of their income. No more bankruptcies due to medical debt. I will advocate for a "one-stop shop" for health coverage that simplifies the system and holds insurance companies accountable for patient access. By expanding access to telehealth, increasing medical residency slots to address doctor shortages, and protecting against "junk" insurance plans, we drive down out-of-pocket expenses. Adopt Medicaid expansion in Alabama under the Affordable Care Act. Not doing so has left roughly almost 200,000 Alabamians in a coverage gap. This will help in keeping rural hospitals solvent and providing health careCivil Rights

A strong democracy depends on protecting the fundamental rights of every American. I believe that medical decisions—especially reproductive care; IVF, abortion, & contraception—belong to women & their doctors, not the government. Real leadership means codifying these protections into federal law to ensure no one’s ZIP code determines their level of freedom. I am equally committed to safeguarding the right to vote by passing common-sense legislation that makes the ballot box accessible & secure for all eligible citizens. Furthermore, pass an Equality Act to ensure that all Alabamians can live, work, & raise families without discrimination of their rights to life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.The Environment

I am a fierce advocate for our land & our future. While Stockton sits just outside of District 96, the proposed massive solar facility there poses a direct threat to the ecological health of our community. The project risks devastating the local wetlands through clear-cutting & habitat destruction, potentially wiping out critical homes for the Gopher Tortoise & our national symbol, the Bald

We face increased erosion & the hazardous runoff of fecal matter from planned sheep 'farming' operations that will impact the Tensaw River & downstream the Mobile Bay. Solar energy, though a needed energy source needs to be sited responsibly which protects our precious, fragile, irreplaceable ecosystems.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm passionate about protecting our social safety net such as Social Security benefits, medicaid and medicare; addressing climate change, protecting civil rights especially for the LGBTQ community, and ensuring access to affordable health care. everywhere in Alabama. In addition to expanding and protecting reproductive rights, implement gun safety reforms to make death of minors from guns a rare incident, reform the justice system so it works for everyone not just the wealthy, persevering and strengthening voting rights, and increasing taxes on corporations and high-earners so they pay their fair share of our society's social services.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My dad, first and foremost, due to the example he set as my father, besides my younger brother, he is the best man I've known in my life.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, transparency, work ethic and steadfast commitment to doing right by all Alabamians.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Writing, passing, and supporting bills that will better the lives of all Alabamians, especially the constituents of my district.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That Alabama and house district 96, was a better place to live when I left office then when I went into office.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Flipping burgers at Hardee's from 1981 to 1983.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Dealing with my gender dysphoria, my transition, and the resulting onslaught of bigotry and discrimination.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

An ideal relationship between a governor and their legislature is one of collaboration not adversarial. One that respects the separation of powers while allowing for productive lawmaking, budget negotiation, and crisis management.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Magement of growth and it's effect on our infrastructure. Reducing our prison population. Having one of the highest incarceration rates in the world is not something to be proud of.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, as it is necessary for getting good public policy in place. It's not always necessary to get what we want, but it is necessary to get what we need.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The moon landing in 1969 when humans first walked on the moon.