| Mark Anthony Gidley is an American politician and pastor who has served as a Republican member of the Alabama House of Representatives since November 9, 2022, representing District 29, which covers parts of Etowah and Calhoun counties. He was elected on November 8, 2022, defeating Libertarian candidate Clifford Valentin with 93.9% of the vote (12,612 votes). Prior to winning the general election, Gidley won a competitive Republican primary against Jamie Grant on May 24, 2022, securing 50.5% of the vote (4,014 votes).
Gidley is a lifelong resident of Etowah County and currently resides in Hokes Bluff, Alabama. He graduated from Hokes Bluff High School and later earned a master's degree from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering politics, Gidley worked in the insurance industry for 21 years in sales and management. Following his career in insurance, he committed to full-time ministry and has served as the pastor of Faith Worship Center Church of God in Glencoe, Alabama for over 20 years.
In his role as pastor, Gidley leads the congregation alongside his wife, Kathy Gidley (nee Chapman), who is originally from Hokes Bluff. Together, they have two daughters and four grandchildren. One of their grandchildren, Caleb Smith, was elected as the 99th President of the Student Government Association at Troy University in 2025.
Gidley has been active in community service and advocacy work. He has served as a board member for the Etowah County Pregnancy Center and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Etowah County Republican Party. When announcing his candidacy for the Alabama House of Representatives, Gidley expressed his commitment to promoting pro-life, pro-family, and conservative values.
As a state representative, Gidley serves on several committees in the Alabama House of Representatives, including the Education Policy Committee, Commerce and Small Business Committee, and Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. In 2025, he sponsored House Bill 178, which would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in the common areas of public K-12 schools in Alabama. The bill passed the House with a vote of 81-11 and was pending in the Senate Education Policy Committee as of April 2025.
Gidley has described his political service as an extension of his ministry, stating that he felt called by God to serve his community in the legislature. His legislative priorities include education, workforce development, and maintaining Alabama's stance on abortion. He has also expressed interest in protecting Alabama's natural resources, recognizing forests as vital renewable resources for the state's economy.
In his capacity as a state representative, Gidley maintains offices in both Montgomery and Gadsden. His Capitol office is located at 11 South Union Street, Suite 522-C in Montgomery, while his district mailing address is P.O. Box 2671 in Gadsden. He continues to balance his legislative duties with his pastoral responsibilities at Faith Worship Center, where he has arranged for a team of people to lead the church during his absences for legislative sessions. |