Robert Bentley calls Special Election to fill vacant US Senate seat
Governor Robert Bentley announced on Tuesday the dates for a Special Election to fill the seat in the U.S. Senate vacated by Jeff Sessions when was sworn-in as U.S. Attorney General. A special election will be held Nov. 6, 2018, in conjunction with other statewide elections. “After consultation and lengthy discussions with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office, a large number of factors were considered in setting the date for this Special Election. Those factors included compliance with federal and state statutes and cases, saving unnecessary expense on a costly separate statewide special election, and setting a time that is expected to increase voter participation,” explained Bentley in a press release. “For these reasons, the 2018 General Election is the most reasonable time to hold the Special Election to fill the unexpired term of Senator Sessions.” Below is the finalized Special Election timeline: A Special Primary Election shall be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, if more than one candidate qualifies with either of the major political parties. A Special Primary Runoff Election shall be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, if necessitated by one candidate, of any qualified political party, not receiving a majority of the votes cast in the Special Primary Election. The Special General Election shall be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. All candidates qualifying with major political parties should be advised that the last day for any candidate to qualify with their respective parties, regarding such election, will be Friday, February 9, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. The two major political parties shall certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State as soon as possible after the qualification deadline but by no later than 5:00 pm on Thursday, March 15, 2018. All independent candidates and minor parties seeking ballot access are advised that their deadline for filing of the appropriate ballot access, petitions, and supporting paperwork with the Secretary of State shall be Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.
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.
Robert Bentley calls special election for House District 41
Gov. Robert Bentley has laid out a timeline for filling the Alabama House of Representatives District 41 seat — a vacancy left when former state Rep. Mike Hill was named superintendent of the State Banking Department in early July. The Columbiana Republican had held the seat, which covers Shelby County from south of 280 and east of Interstate 65, since 1986. According to the special election timeline finalized by Bentley Wednesday, a special primary election will be held Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. Should the major parties only have one candidate a piece, a special primary election will not be necessary. Said primary will go to a runoff on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 should either candidate of either major party not receive a majority of the votes cast on Oct. 18. If a runoff is not necessary, a special general election will be held Jan. 10. If a runoff is necessary, the general election will be moved to Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Republican and Democrat candidates have until Monday, Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. to qualify with their respective parties. The two major political parties will then certify their qualified candidates to the secretary of state by noon Aug. 16. All independent candidates and/or any minor parties seeking ballot access are advised the deadline for filing of the appropriate notification, petitions, or supporting paperwork with the secretary of state is Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at 5 p.m. As of July 28, Republican and current Shelby County Commissioner Corley Ellis was the only candidate who has announced plans to run for the vacant seat.
Robert Bentley sets Sept. 13 special election for Mike Hubbard’s vacated seat
Governor Robert Bentley released Friday the timeline for a special election to replace convicted House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. If a primary election is needed for Lee County’s House District 79 seat, party members will cast their votes Tuesday, Sept. 13, according to a news release from the governor’s office. If a primary runoff is needed, it will take place Nov. 29 and the special general election will be Feb. 7, 2017. Major party candidates will have to qualify with their respective parties by July 14. Third-party and independent candidates have to file the necessary paperwork with the Alabama Secretary of State by Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. Hubbard was automatically removed from office after being convicted of 12 felony ethics violations on June 10. He will be sentenced July 8, where he faces a maximum penalty of two to 20 years imprisonment and fines of up to $30,000 for each count. House Speaker Pro Tem Victor Gaston is currently filling the Speaker’s role until a new Speaker is elected when the House is next in session.
James McGill announces run for Alabama State House
Former Russell County engineer James McGill officially announced his candidacy to run for the Alabama State House of Representatives in House District 80 Tuesday morning in a press release. McGill is seeking the nomination on the Republican ticket, which is vacant due to the passing of Representative Lesley Vance earlier this month. The seat will be filled during a Special Election that has been called by Governor Robert Bentley, scheduled for a Jan. 19 primary followed by the general election scheduled for April 12. “We need a strong, experienced conservative leader to represent us in the State House. I have a heart for this part of our state. This is my home and the people here are my friends and neighbors,” McGill stated. “I know how much we have to offer and I believe that I can provide the type of leadership that District 80 deserves.” Mcgill is an engineer and has served as the Director of Economic Development for the Russell County Chamber of Commerce for more than a decade where he had a track record of helping the area to grow. McGill points to Fort Mitchell’s commercial expansion and safer access to Fort Benning’s West Gate as examples of what he has helped to achieve. “It is critical that we continue the growth between lower Lee County, upper Phenix City and west Russell County. We need proven representation that can pull these three areas together and if we can do that, we can outgrow any region of the state,” McGill explained. “I know that I can make that happen.” Qualifying for the special election closes Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. EST. At the time of publishing, McGill’s only challenger is current Phenix City council member Chris Blackshear. Currently no Democrat had qualified, but Russell County Commissioner Tillman Pugh, who ran unsuccessfully against Vance in 2014, is considering it.
