The Selma Times-Journal

Bennie Lee Tucker,

pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Marion, has announced his candidacy for Selma City Council representative of Ward 6.

Tucker, known as &8220;B.L.&8221; to family and friends, has lived in Selma since the peak of the civil rights movement, and said Saturday he wanted to announce to Selma that he &8220;is back.&8221;

Tucker attended Selma University, and received his degree in 1968. Since that time, Tucker has served as a pastor for 40 years. Tucker also served as a chaplain assistant in the United States Army for 17 years, both abroad and in Selma.

He was a participant in the civil rights movement during his collegiate days, and was beaten and jailed.

Tucker said after former constituents asked him to run, and with much prayer, he decided to move forward with his decision.

Tucker said his goal is to bring the young and old of Selma together.

&8220;Instead of the city moving forward, I see it moving backward,&8221; Tucker said.

Tucker has three children, Bennie Jr., Sandra, and Melinda.