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ABOUT MIKE VANDENHEUVEL
Mike Van’s story is a Baldwin County story: faith, family, hard work, and a deep love for the place he calls home.
Born at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Mike is the son of a career Navy father and a mom from Loxley, Alabama. Growing up in a military family meant moving every few years, but in the 1960s, Mike came home to Baldwin County for good, living with his grandparents and graduating from Robertsdale High School in 1972. From his grandfather, a road builder and “dirt farmer,” Mike learned the value of honesty, hard work, and keeping your word.
Upon graduation, Mike went straight into the workforce launching a 50-year career in the car business. He started selling cars at Chevrolet in 1972, worked his way up through large dealerships, and eventually fulfilled his dream of owning his own dealership in Bay Minette. For over a decade, Mike signed the front and back of paychecks and built a business rooted in customer service and community. Today, he continues to work in the industry, helping customers and mentoring young salespeople.
In 1973, Mike survived a devastating car accident that broke nearly every bone in his body and almost cost him his left arm. The long recovery strengthened his faith and his determination. A lifelong Catholic, Mike has attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Robertsdale for decades and previously served as president of the school board at St. Patrick’s Catholic School.
Mike has always believed in giving back. In 2006, he co-founded the Baldwin County Academic and Sports Foundation, a nonprofit supporting Robertsdale High School and its feeder schools. Through golf tournaments and community fundraisers, the foundation has grown to award annual $2,500 scholarships to local students. Mike has served multiple terms as president and remains proud of the impact the foundation has had on young people in the community.
Mike is not a polished politician. He’s a Baldwin County neighbor, businessman, and straight shooter who believes in putting people over politics. At 71, he’s running for Alabama State Senate District 32 to cut taxes, secure the border, stop illegal immigration, and bring common-sense, America First leadership to Montgomery.
MIKE ON THE ISSUES
TAXES
As a lifelong businessman who has signed the front and back of paychecks, I know how hard families and small businesses work for every dollar they earn. Government should respect that. Alabama must remain a low-tax state, and I will fight every effort to raise taxes on working families, seniors, and small businesses. When it comes to local issues like the one-cent school tax, I’ll demand fairness, transparency, and a solution that puts taxpayers and students first. Every tax dollar should be treated as if it came out of our own pockets, and in the State Senate, that’s exactly how I’ll approach the job.
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IMMIGRATION
America is a nation of laws, and I fully support legal immigration. Many of my fellow parishioners and friends came here the right way and are proud Americans. What I will not tolerate is illegal immigration that puts our communities at risk, burdens our schools and law enforcement, and undermines the people who followed the rules. Alabama should never become a sanctuary for lawlessness. I stand with President Trump in restoring order, enforcing immigration laws, and ending policies that protect or incentivize people who break them. The safety and security of our families come first.
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BORDER SECURITY
You cannot have a safe Alabama with an open border. Drugs, crime, and human trafficking pouring across the southern border don’t stay in Texas or Arizona, they reach every state — including ours. Securing the border is a moral responsibility and a national priority. I support strong physical barriers, better technology, and more manpower to shutdown illegal crossings and remove criminal offenders quickly.
THE ECONOMY & SMALL BUSINESS
I’ve spent more than 50 years in the car business, working from the sales lot to dealership ownership. I know what it takes to make payroll, keep the lights on, and build a team. Alabama’s economy succeeds when the government stays out of the way and lets businesses grow. I’ll support policies that keep our state competitive: low taxes, fewer unnecessary regulations, and a strong business climate where entrepreneurs can start, expand, and hire without government interference.
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EDUCATION & LOCAL SCHOOLS
I’ve spent years raising money for scholarships and supporting our local schools. I believe in strong public schools, parental involvement, and transparency. Baldwin County’s growth means our schools need long-term planning, smart funding, and cooperation.
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INFRASTRUCTURE
Our roads and bridges aren’t keeping up with our growth. We have schools being built that are already too small and bridges that haven’t seen major upgrades in decades. I’ll work with local mayors and commissioners to prioritize key infrastructure projects, improve traffic flow, and ensure Baldwin County receives its fair share of state resources. Strong infrastructure is essential for safety, economic growth, and maintaining our quality of life.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT & PUBLIC SAFETY
I am 100% pro-law enforcement and pro-first responder. These men and women put their lives on the line every day and they deserve respect, support, and better pay for the risks they take. I will back tough-on-crime policies, defend our deputies and police officers from political attacks, and fight for the resources they need to keep our community safe.
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SUPPORTING LOCAL SEAFOOD & AGRICULTURE
Baldwin County’s seafood and agriculture heritage is being undermined by cheap foreign imports and policies that disadvantage our local producers. When people eat shrimp on the Gulf Coast, they expect Gulf shrimp — not product shipped in from overseas. I’ll support truth-in-labeling laws, incentives for restaurants that buy local, and policies that strengthen our fishermen and farmers.
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