| Kerry "Bubba" Underwood serves as a Republican member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing District 3, which encompasses portions of Colbert, Lauderdale, and Lawrence counties in northwest Alabama. Born in Sheffield, Alabama, in 1966, Underwood transitioned from business ownership to mayoral leadership and then to state-level representation.
Underwood graduated from the University of North Alabama in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree, completing a double major in accounting and Computer Information Systems. He obtained his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in 1998.
Following his CPA certification, Underwood founded Underwood & Associates CPA in Tuscumbia in 1998. The firm initially operated from his home office before expanding to serve clients throughout the Shoals region. In 2019, Underwood entered into a partnership with three other CPAs, forming Leigh, King, Norton & Underwood CPAs. In 2021, Underwood co-founded NortonUnderwood PC, a CPA firm partnership headquartered in downtown Tuscumbia.
Underwood was elected mayor of Tuscumbia on August 23, 2016. During his tenure as mayor, he served as treasurer of the Friends of Spring Park Foundation and worked with downtown merchant organizations, serving as chairman. The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association awarded him the 2022 "Good Neighbor" Friend of Tourism Award.
In 2022, Underwood announced his candidacy for the Alabama House of Representatives District 3 seat after incumbent Representative Andrew Sorrell retired to run for state auditor. In the Republican primary, Underwood faced retired United States Air Force officer Fred Joly, winning with 56.33% of the vote (3,219 votes to Joly's 2,496 votes). In the general election, he defeated Democratic candidate Wesley Thompson with 65.30% of the vote (8,023 votes to Thompson's 4,241 votes). Underwood assumed office on November 9, 2022, with his current term extending until November 4, 2026.
Underwood resigned from his position as mayor of Tuscumbia upon taking office in the legislature. The Tuscumbia City Council appointed William Foster to serve as mayor following Underwood's resignation.
In the Alabama House of Representatives, Underwood serves on seven committees- the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Accounts, Urban and Rural Development Committee, Local Legislation Committee, Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee, Financial Services Committee, Ways and Means General Fund Committee, and the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Finances and Budget.
Underwood has sponsored legislation including House Bill 353, which authorized Colbert County and the boards of education in Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia to use private insurance companies to insure school buildings and property. He also sponsored House Bill 250, which revised statement of economic interests filing requirements for candidates.
In August 2024, Underwood was selected to co-chair the House Republican Caucus Platform Committee alongside State Representative James Lomax. This appointment was made by House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen.
Underwood is married to Anna Underwood, who works as an occupational therapist for the Colbert County School System. Together, they have four children- Walker (his biological son), and three stepdaughters named Holly, Victoria, and Faith. The family resides in Tuscumbia. Underwood identifies as a Southern Baptist. |