Tuesday marks deadline to run for Birmingham area State House Seat
Last month, after 18 years of service, Alabama state Rep. Oliver Robinson retired to allow his daughter Amanda to accept a job with Governor Robert Bentley‘s office, leaving a vacancy in the State House. Tuesday marks the deadline for candidates of both major parties to apply to run in House District 58. According to the special election timeline finalized by Gov. Robert Bentley earlier this month, if a primary election is needed, party members will cast their votes Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 and the General Election will follow on Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
Robert Bentley sets special election for District 58 House seat
Governor Robert Bentley announced on Monday there will be a special election to fill the vacant District 58 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. According to the special election timeline finalized Monday, if a primary election is needed for Jefferson County’s House District 58 seat, party members will cast their votes Tuesday,Feb. 28, 2017 and the General Election will follow on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, according to a news release from the governor’s office. If a primary runoff is needed, it will take place May 16, 2017 and the special general election will be Aug. 1, 2017. “This timeline gives candidates time to qualify, allows voters time to learn about candidates, and allows time for those who are unable to vote in-person to arrange to vote by absentee ballot,” Bentley said. “Representative Robinson is to be commended for his 18 years of dedication and service to the people of District 58.” Major party candidates will have to qualify with their respective parties byDec. 27, 2016 by 5:00 p.m.The two major political parties are to certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State by no later than 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Third-party and independent candidates have to file the necessary paperwork with the Alabama Secretary of State by February 28, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. The seat was previously held by Oliver Robinson, who served in House District 58 in Birmingham for the past 18 years. Last Wednesday, Robinson announced his immediate retirement in order to allow his daughter to take a position in the Governor’s office and avoid a conflict of interest.
Oliver Robinson retiring from Ala. House of Representatives, effective immediately
After 18 years of service, Alabama state Rep. Oliver Robinson is saying farewell to the Alabama House of Representatives to allow his daughter Amanda to accept a job with Governor Robert Bentley‘s office, effective immediately. The Birmingham Democrat said his daughter will serve as Bentley’s liaison to the Alabama House and he wants to avoid any conflict of interest or ethical conflicts. “My reason for retiring is simply because of a wonderful opportunity provided to my daughter to become the Governor’s Liaison to the House of Representatives,” Robinson said in a statement. “She is the first female as well as the first African-American female to hold this position in Alabama’s history.” “With the responsibilities to ascertain all votes on the House floor, we can easily see in this highly-ethical and conflict-of-interest environment where I could cause her problems in her job. This is why I am retiring now to give my child every opportunity to succeed,” he continued. Robinson has represented House District 58 since 1998 and said his retirement from politics is permanent. He will now shift his focus on the children in the areas where he once lived, Gate City and Harris Homes.
