Susan Parker, Democratic candidate for Public Service Commission, Place Two, brought her campaign to Butler County on Monday. Her and her husband have been driving the state since Labor Day in an attempt to meet voters in every county before the General Election.

Parker faces Republican nominee Perry Hooper, Jr. in November. Both candidates are vying for the seat formerly held by George Wallace Jr., who vacated his position to run for Lt. Governor.

Parker and her husband, Paul, a former state representative, have been traveling across the state in a bright red pick-up truck hauling a bold blue &#8220Susan Parker” campaign sign in the truck bed. She visited Greenville, Citronelle, Deer Park, Chatham, Jackson, Grove Hill and Thomasville and other cities during a two-day trip through central Alabama on Monday and Tuesday.

Dubbed the &#8220People's Express,” Parker said the truck makes a great conversational piece as well as a way to introduce herself to candidates. She has visited 35 counties so far.

&#8220We don't have the money that the other side has so we decided this was the best way to take our message to the people,” said Parker, who lives in Rogersville.

Parker said with the ever-increasing cost of energy she believes more and more people are going to start paying attention to the Public Service Commission and the work it does. The PSC's responsibilities include regulating public utilities such as Alabama Power, Alabama Gas and BellSouth, helping to ensure that consumers are not being charged unreasonable rates.

&#8220After Hurricane Katrina we had a tremendous spike in natural gas costs as well as gasoline,” said Parker. &#8220I want to be vigilant where if there is a spike and then the price goes down, the customers need to see that. We saw oil go up, but it seems like it took a long time before gasoline prices came down. I will work every day to see that consumers get the lowest possible rates on their power bill, phone bill and natural gas bill.”

Parker served as Alabama State Auditor from 1998-2002. Prior to serving as state auditor, Parker worked for 25 years in higher education, retiring from Athens State College as Assistant to the President for External Affairs.

&#8220My tenure as state auditor was one of honesty,” said Parker. &#8220I worked hard to correct years of neglect in that office. I think if the people of Butler County look hard at my record and that of my opponent's record they will see that I am the best choice for this job.”