Candidates qualify for local offices

By:
0
1334

CULLMAN, Ala. – A number of candidates have qualified to run in local elections in 2024. Candidates seeking nomination by a party primary had to submit their names by Nov. 10, 2023. Candidates not seeking a party nomination have until Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023.

Due to a 2021 change in Alabama’s election laws, all municipal office elections (mayor, city council, school board) have been moved back one year to 2025. Current office holders will enjoy one extra year in office, then elections will be held every four years as before, just not at the same time as presidential and other national elections.

Candidates

Circuit Court 32nd Circuit, Place 1 

  • Gregory Nicholas, unopposed

Circuit Court 32nd Circuit, Place 2, which will be vacated by the retirement of Martha Williams – 

  • Cullman County defense attorney Melvin Hasting, who previously challenged Williams
  • Former Cullman County Bar Association President Emily Niezer Johnston

Circuit Clerk

  • Lisa McSwain, unopposed

Cullman County District Court, Place 2

  • Rusty Turner, unopposed

Cullman County Probate Judge

  • Tammy Brown, unopposed

Cullman County Commission

  • Chairman – Jeff Clemons, unopposed
  • District 3 – Kelly Duke, unopposed
  • District 4 – Corey Freeman, unopposed

Cullman County Board of Education Superintendent

  • Incumbent Shane Barnette, who was previously appointed to the now-elected position
  • Holly Pond High School teacher and farmer Morris Williams

Cullman County Board of Education, West Point, District 1, to be vacated by Gene Sullins  

  • Larry Duke
  • Steve Link

Cullman County Board of Education, Holly Pond, District 3, to be vacated by Heath Allbright

  • Richard Shane Hays, unopposed

Cullman County Board of Education, Cold Springs, District 5

  • Wayne Myrex, unopposed

All currently qualified candidates who stated a party affiliation are Republicans. The Alabama Democratic Party’s current qualified candidate list contains no names for Cullman County or the congressional and judicial districts that include Cullman County.

U.S. Congress candidates

U.S. House of Representatives District 4 (includes Cullman County) 

  • Incumbent Robert Aderholt, who has served since 1997
  • Justin Holcomb, an Alabama businessman who has made Aderholt’s long tenure in Washington a major plank in his platform, promising to serve no more than two terms

Both candidates are Republicans. No Democrat qualified.

Election schedule

Primary Election – March 5, 2024

Primary Runoff – April 16, 2024

General Election – Nov. 5, 2024

Mayoral candidate throws hat in ring

Though municipal elections will not take place until 2025, one mayoral candidate has already shared his intentions. Former Colony Mayor Donnis Leeth, who lost in 2020 to Councilman Curtis Johnson in a bitterly contested campaign, told The Tribune that he intends to run again when the time comes.

Copyright 2023 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.