| Richard Matthew Hammett was born in 1973 in Rose Hill, Alabama, a community in northeast Covington County. He is a lifelong resident of Covington County and currently resides in Rose Hill. Hammett is married to Selena Harrelson Hammett, and together they have three children- Emily (who lives in Decatur), Bailey, and Joseph (who live in Covington County). The family are active members of Green Tree Christian Fellowship Church in Andalusia.
Hammett graduated from Auburn University, though the specific year and degree field are not specified in available records. Following his education, he became involved in multiple agricultural and business ventures in south Alabama. He has worked as a cattleman, poultry producer, and water well contractor. Hammett owns and operates Hammett Drilling Company, a family business that was established in 1951 and has been serving south Alabama and surrounding areas for over seven decades. According to business records, he has been operating the company since May 1996. The company is incorporated and provides water well drilling services and hydro in-floor heating systems.
Before entering state politics, Hammett served on the Covington County Commission, holding the position of Chairman from 1995 to 2020. This 25-year tenure in local government provided him with extensive experience in public administration and community leadership. His service on the county commission established his reputation within the district and contributed to his family's political legacy.
Hammett is the second cousin of Seth Hammett, who served as Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives from 2001 to 2010 and was the last Democrat to hold that position. Seth Hammett also previously represented District 92, creating a family connection to the legislative seat.
In August 2021, Hammett announced his candidacy for the Alabama House of Representatives District 92 seat after incumbent Representative Mike Jones decided to run for the Alabama Senate. The district includes all of Covington County and portions of Coffee and Escambia counties. Hammett faced a competitive Republican primary against Covington County Commission Chairman Greg White in May 2022. He won the primary by a narrow margin of 345 votes, receiving 51.7% of the vote (5,251 votes) compared to White's 48.3% (4,906 votes). Hammett's victory was particularly strong in Covington County, where he received 53.3% of the vote, while White performed better in Coffee and Escambia counties.
In the November 2022 general election, Hammett defeated Democratic candidate Steve Hubbard, a retired English teacher from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, with 86.8% of the vote. He officially assumed office on November 9, 2022, and was sworn in on January 6, 2023, by retired District Judge Trippy McGuire at the Covington County Courthouse.
As a state representative, Hammett serves on three committees- Agriculture and Forestry, County and Municipal Government, and Urban and Rural Development. His legislative priorities focus on workforce development, education, and economic growth in his rural district. He has been particularly vocal about the need for enhanced vocational education opportunities, including advocating for the establishment of a career technical center in Andalusia to better prepare students for skilled trades. Hammett has worked with LBW Community College President Dr. Brock Kelley and other education officials to explore funding possibilities for such a facility.
During his first term, Hammett has sponsored several pieces of legislation, including House Bill 509 regarding game breeder licenses and deer management, and joint resolutions naming portions of highways in Covington County in honor of military personnel and local figures. He also co-sponsored House Bill 266, known as the Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School (REACH) Act, which provides nontraditional high school diploma options for students aged 17 and older who have withdrawn from school.
Hammett maintains both a Capitol office in Montgomery and a district office in Dozier, making himself accessible to constituents throughout his service area. His political platform emphasizes conservative values, constitutional rights, business-friendly policies, and transparent governance. |