Danner Kline
Danner Kline (born September 2, 1978 in Marietta, Georgia) is a former craft beer manager for Birmingham Budweiser, founder of the Free the Hops lobbying campaign, organizer of of the first Magic City Brewfest, and a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for the 6th Congressional District of Alabama.
Kline grew up in Georgia. He earned his bachelor of arts in English from Samford University in 2000 and went to work as a telecommunications specialist for the Southern Progress Corporation. In 2005 he moved to a similar position with the City of Hoover and took his present job with Birmingham Budweiser in 2010. He resigned from that position in January 2018 to campaign full time.
Kline first entered politics in 2004 to organize support for modernizing Alabama's prohibition-era beer restrictions. He founded Free the Hops, which successfully pushed for several laws that have permitted the sale of high-gravity beers and larger containers, expanded craft brewing, legalized home brewing and allowed breweries to sell directly to the public. He stepped aside from Free the Hops in December 2007 and was succeeded by Stuart Carter.
As a Democratic candidate for the seat held by incumbent Republican Gary Palmer, Kline was unopposed in the 2018 primary.
Kline and his wife, Jennifer reside in Vestavia Hills and have two children, Anne Camille and Rett. They attend Disciples Fellowship church, where Kline performs with the worship band.
References
- Steere, Tim (April 25, 2017) "Free the Hops founder to run for Congress." Birmingham Business Journal
- Owens, Cody (June 2, 2017) "Meet Danner Kline, the “beer geek” hoping to upset a Republican-held congressional seat." Weld for Birmingham
External links
- Danner Kline campaign website
- Danner Kline at votesmart.org
- Danner Kline at ballotpedia.org