Jefferson County Republicans announce slate of local candidates
On Wednesday, the Jefferson County Republican Party announced their slate of countywide and local candidates. Major party qualifying for the 2024 election cycle ended on Friday. The Jefferson County Republican Party is running a host of candidates in the 2024 election, including: John Amari for Probate Judge, Place 1. For Probate Judge, Place 2 – Joel R. Blankenship For Assistant Treasurer – Delor Baumann For Assistant Tax Collector – Johnny Curry For Board of Education, Place 1 – Phillip Brown For Board of Education, Place 2 – Robert “Glenn” Durough For Constable, District 15 – Rod Honeycutt For Constable, District 15 – Larry Woods For Constable, District 44 – Stephen A. Moseley For Constable, District 45 – Tim Anders Sr. For Constable, District 46 – Keith Hall For Constable, District 47 – Gilbert F. Douglas III For Constable, District 48 – Robert De Buys For Constable, District 51 – Ronnie Dixon For Constable, District 51 – Joe Williams For Constable, District 55 – Ken Gray Sr The Republican primary is on March 5. Since none of these local candidates have primary opponents, they automatically qualify for the November 5 general election. There will be a number of contested races on the Republican primary ticket in Jefferson County, including President of the United States, Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals Place 2, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 2, and President of the Public Service Commission, Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District, Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District, and State Board of Education Place 3. The next Republican Party Executive Committee Meeting is Tuesday, November 21, at the Homewood Library at 6:00 PM. Chris Brown is the Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. While Republicans dominate statewide offices across Alabama, both Houses of the Alabama Legislature, and the last time a Democratic presidential candidate carried Alabama was 1976, the Democratic Party has become the dominant political party in Jefferson County. The Democratic Party has won the last two sheriff’s elections and for district attorney. Jefferson County supported Joe Biden in 2020, Clinton in 2016, Obama in 2012, and Obama in 2008. Even though Republicans carried the state as a whole, Brown says a study of where the growth is happening in Jefferson County (Hoover, Gardendale, Trussville, McCalla, etc.) shows that it is occurring in Republican areas while many Democratic precincts are experiencing long term declines in population. The prospect of turning Jefferson County red is increasingly likely long-term. Will that change occur in 2024, however, remains to be seen. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Election runoffs in 10 Central Alabama municipalities on Tuesday
Alabamians are headed to the polls yet again on Tuesday for municipal runoffs across the Yellowhammer State. In central Alabama there are no less than 10 runoffs in races that were too close to call on Aug. 23. Here’s a look at a handful of some of the bigger mayoral races today: Anniston Jack Draper vs. Robert Folsom Winnowed down from five candidates, Draper or Folsom will ultimately replace outgoing mayor Vaughn Stewart. Chelsea Tony Picklesimer vs. Dale Neuendorf After five consecutive terms, Chelsea’s first mayor, Earl Nivens, is stepping down, leaving the seat open for Picklesimer or Neuendorf to take over. Childersburg Ken Wesson vs. Pete Storey Outgoing mayor James Payne exits from politics, making way for Wesson or Storey. Fairfield Edward E. May vs. Johnnie Wyatt May and Wyatt are going head-to-head for the seat that’s been riddled with problems — from late or delayed payments to city employees, to losing public transportation, to issues with the police department— under outgoing mayor Kenneth Coachman‘s leadership. Graysville Clark “Julio” Davis vs. Mary Sue Morgan Separated by only 1 percent of the vote in the Aug. 23 municipal elections, the race between Davis and Morgan is expected to be a close one. Hueytown Steve Ware vs. Delor Baumann Another race that was too close to call is August was the Hueytown race between Ware and the incumbent mayor, Baumann. Only 58 votes separated the two. Jasper Greg Tinker vs. David O’Mary Taking over three-term mayor Sonny Posey‘s position will be Tinker or O’Mary. Northport Bobby Herndon vs. Donna Aaron A crowded field of six in August is now down to two. Incumbent Mayor Herndon will face off with Aaron. Sylacauga James Heigl vs. Bryan Taunton With sitting Mayor Doug Humphree out of the way thanks to his fourth-place finish on Aug. 23, Heigl and Taunton will face off at the polls Tuesday, and one of them will walk away as the new mayor of Sylacauga. Trussville Anthony Montalto vs. Buddy Choat With 10-year incumbent Mayor Eugene Melton out of the way, Montalto and Choat are ready to take over the reins in Trussville.
