ORANGE BEACH - JUNE 29 - This weekend I was reminded of how Hurricane Sally hit Orange Beach—almost exactly three weeks after my dad was re-elected as Mayor in 2020.

I know I’m biased, but I also know I’m not alone in the comfort and gratitude I felt knowing Tony Kennon was leading our city during such devastation and crisis.

Crisis is inevitable—whether it’s hurricanes, the 2010 BP Oil Spill, or the Covid shutdowns. What I know about my dad is this: when crisis hits, fearlessness kicks in. His love for his family, his neighbors, and the city he serves is undeniable—and unshakable.

After Hurricane Sally, I had the opportunity to volunteer my time helping with social media to get updated information out. We worked around the clock to ensure people had timely updates and clear information. 

I’ll never forget the whiteboard in this photo with “T-22 Days” written on it.

Why is that significant?

Because when Sally hit, Tony set a goal: get Orange Beach back to normal in 30 days. Every single day, he and the devoted team around him worked tirelessly to make that happen. And if you lived through it, you remember—Orange Beach bounced back faster than anywhere else on the Gulf Coast.

Why?

Because of relationships and leadership. During the 2010 BP Oil Spill, Tony built a partnership with Crowder Gulf our disaster recovery contractor. In addition, great relationships had been built with Baldwin EMC over the years. These connections proved invaluable. When he made the calls after Sally, they were pre-staged to begin work as soon as the sun came out— because of who Tony is and how he leads.

Again, I know I’m biased. But I’ve rarely known anyone with the grit, fearlessness, and unwavering devotion that my dad shows—especially when it matters most.

Now, we’re T-58 days to Election Day.

On August 26th, I hope you’ll stand with Tony—because time and time again, he’s stood strong for us.