Leadership. Experience. Integrity.
Neil Rafferty
My name is Neil Rafferty, and I am running for the Alabama State House District 54. I’m a Marine veteran, a health program director, and a Birmingham native—born, raised, and educated right here. I live in Crestwood North, with my partner of over fourteen years. I entered this race to serve our communities, the people of Birmingham, and our state. My dedication to our veterans, devotion to community, and my work at Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO) have all been the backdrop for my life of public service.
I was influenced by the Church at an early age and, as a consequence, enrolled as a student at John Carroll Catholic High School. After my service in the Marine Corps, I used my G.I. Bill benefits and earned a B.A. in Political Science/English from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
Service has been at the core of my work. In addition to military service and as a good neighbor in my community, I have worked hard for many years advancing the interests of community and country as a public health worker, particularly at BAO. My career involves work as the Program Director of the Birmingham Comprehensive High Impact Prevention Project (B-CHIP). My B-CHIP team address gaps in the HIV care continuum through intensive collaboration with community members, partner nonprofits, state and county health departments, and clinics to implement community coordinated, public health strategies.
Education
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude 2005-2010
English (Major), Political Science (Major)
Military Service
United States Marine Corps
April 2005-September 2009
• Honorable Discharge, April 2013
• Noncommissioned officer for infantry
Why I'm Running
My time in the Marines, my dedication to the community, and my involvement in healthcare have each, in a significant way, inspired me to ask:
How might I best serve those in my community?
How can my life have the greatest impact on my community and country?
How can I best employ my time to make something better of my community and Country?
It is these questions that inspire me to run for District 54’s seat in the Alabama State House of Representatives.
I am excited and eager to embark on this journey to serve each citizen of District 54. I will dedicate my efforts to address all the needs of district citizens, with real emphasis on healthcare and education. We are better together, with all of our community’s working parts combining to give our citizens better, healthier lives.
Endorsements
Patricia Todd, current State Representative HD54
US Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA 6th District)
Sierra Club of Alabama
AFL-CIO, Central Alabama Labor Federation
Victory Fund
Equality Alabama
Jefferson County Citizens Coalition
Alabama New South Alliance
Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction
Human Rights Campaign
Activities & Affiliations
Director of Research and Development,
Birmingham AIDS Outreach
Community Co-chair,
HIV Prevention Network
Subcommittee Chair,
Mayoral Meeting with Jefferson County HIV/AIDS Community Coalition 90/90/90
Founding Officer,
UAB Student Veterans Association.
College of Art and Sciences Outstanding Student Award
May 2010 Honors Convocation University of Alabama and Birmingham College of Arts and Sciences
Voytek Zoybek Scholarship Recipient
University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Government
Noncommissioned officer
United States Marine Corps April 2005-September 2009
• Honorably discharged in April 2013
• Noncommissioned officer for infantry