On Saturday, Jefferson County Commissioners Jimmy Stephens and Joe Knight, both Republicans, spoke to the Mid-Alabama Republican Club (MARC) about the pending change in leadership for the county commission.
Currently, the five-member Jefferson County Commission is composed of three Republicans and two Democrats. That could soon change, as the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) has selected County Commissioner Steve Ammons, the third Republican on the Commission, as its new CEO.
“Steve is going to be the CEO of the BBA,” Commissioner Knight said. “We wish him well. He is looking forward to it.:
A special election will be held this summer to fill the vacancy.
Jefferson County Republican Party Chairman Chris Brown said, “There is an opening on the Jefferson Co Commission because he is leaving at the end of the month, and we are committed to winning this election. Doug Jones (a Democrat) did beat Roy Moore (the Republican nominee for Senate in 2017). We are taking nothing for granted.”
Urologist Dr. Brian Christine announced that he is seeking to be the next commissioner.
“It is critical that we keep Republican leadership on the Jefferson County Commission,” Christine said. “The district includes part of Homewood, Leeds, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, Irondale, and part of Hoover.”
Com. Stephens said, “I want to thank our entire Jefferson County Legislative Delegation. It’s a team that I am so proud of, that we are so proud of.”
Stephens said that the commissioners talk with legislative delegation members weekly while the legislature is in session.
“We have a team member who has decided to leave, so you must choose someone from District 5 that will seamlessly continue to do the job, that understands that relationship with your legislators, and has a trust in your existing country commission. We don’t need someone who is going to come in there and go off on a tangent. We need someone who will come in and be part of the team.”
Commissioner Knight explained that Ammons’ last day on the job is May 31.
“The people in charge of the election are the election commission,” Knight said. “In the event of a vacancy on the Jefferson County Commission, the elections commission will meet, and they will set the date for the special election.”
“The special election is tentatively set as July 18,” Knight said. “There are no Republican or Democratic affiliations in this. All it takes is 100 signatures to get on the ballot.”
In the other 66 counties, the governor would appoint someone to fill the vacancy, and in the event of a special election, the governor would call the elections and set primaries. Jefferson County is different.
State Representative Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills) explained, “That was done in 2009. I was not in the legislature then I was on the Commission. They were trying to protect the governor (then Bob Riley) and who he had appointed – George Bowman. It is a terrible deal.”
“Talking to some of our legislators, we might need to change that,” Knight said.
“We could not do what we do without your legislative support,” Stephens said.
“You. raise the money for Jefferson County to attempt to spend wisely,” Stephens said, addressing the audience. “Jefferson County is not an economic engine. It creates an environment for you to be successful. It has to make your life better and give you a reason to work and raise your family in Jefferson County.”
Knight said that the July primary is going to pose some logistical problems.
“Some of the polls may have to be moved because they are having their vacation Bible school,” Knight said.
Stephens said that he and Knight have spoken with Dr. Christine and like him, but they are not telling anyone who to vote for.
Stephens expressed concern that the City of Birmingham and Mayor Randall Woodfin may be recruiting a candidate for the position.
The Mid-Alabama Republican Party meets on the second Saturday of each month at the Vestavia Hills Public Library at 9:00 a.m.
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