Districts 16 and 55 will hold the second round of their elections for the vacant positions this October 24.
District 16
In District 16, the vacancy was created when former Rep. Kyle South resigned to become the CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Governor Kay Ivey set special election dates for Alabama House District 16, These dates were Tuesday, September 26, 2023; the special primary runoff, will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023; and the special general election for Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Governor Ivey said in a press release “Rep. South has served the people of House District 16 well for the past nine years and will continue to do so in his new role as president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. He certainly leaves big shoes to fill in the Legislature, but I am incredibly happy for him and confident he will continue serving West Alabama well,” " She also added, “I encourage everyone in this district to get out and vote during this special election to ensure you have another strong voice advocating for you in the Alabama Legislature.
In September Brad Cox and Bryan Brinyark were the two voted candidates, The Alabama Republican Party announced the following.
The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes in the House District 16 Special Republican Primary Election to appear on the ballot for the House District 16 Special Runoff Election set for October 24, 2023, are as follows.
Brad Cox, Republican
Brad Cox, 33 served as Fayette County Commissioner, District 1, and also is a Banker at Alabama ONE Credit Union. Before he was a high school teacher. He has an M.A. in Agricultural Education from Auburn University.
The largest contributors to his campaign are Alabama Voice of Teachers for Education (AVOTE), a PAC affiliated with the Alabama Education Association, and the Alabama Credit Union Legislative Action Council.
District 55
House District 55 voters chose their nominees in a primary special election in September in concurrence with the special election for House District 16, to fill in the vacant seat left by Rep. Fred Plump resigned after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
The most voted-for candidates from September were Travis Hendrix and Sylvia Swayne. The run-off will be held on Oct. 24 between them.
The two will compete in the Special Primary Runoff Election on October 24.
Travis Hendrix
He is 40 and is a Sergeant at Birmingham Police Department, he has a B.S., in Criminal Justice, from Oakland City University and also an M.S.M. (Master’s in Strategic Management) from Oakland City University.
Hendrix said he is running for House District 55 because he wants to improve the quality of life for people in the district. He said that’s what led him to law enforcement.
He said that while his top priorities are public safety, economic development, and education, he would also like to completely get rid of the grocery tax. Alabama decreased the sales tax on groceries to 1% in September after lawmakers passed a bill earlier this year. He said he would focus on repealing the entire grocery tax to “put more funds in people’s pockets.
Sylvia Swayne
Alabama’s 1st transgender woman running for state office is 26 years old and she has a B.A. in English from the University of Alabama. She works as a Quality assurance manager at Shipt an American delivery service owned by Target Corporation.
“I never aspired to be a politician. I never saw myself running for office. I majored in English in college (The University of Alabama), and I’ve worked in the same corporate office for five years. The timing felt like the perfect storm. I personally opposed a few bills this year, and I wanted to talk to my representative about it, but I couldn’t because he resigned. And that’s when I realized that if he (Fred Plump) resigned, there would be a special election this year.
There’s so much division, there’s so much going on in the state that’s not really being addressed. We’re not activating people in the community, or young people, to oppose or speak out about what’s going on at the Capitol. And for me, I realized that if that’s the environment that we’re tolerating, then somebody has to work with people to change. I think at the state level is where we see a lot of division.” said Swayne in an interview with Al.com.
She plans to work towards making public transport more efficient and more accessible.
Wrap-Up
The special elections in Alabama's State House Districts 16 and 55 show the local political dynamics, yet they can also be seen within the larger context of state and national politics.
These elections fill vacancies, ensuring that constituents in Districts 16 and 55 have representation in the state legislature. It's essential for democratic functioning and for the interests of these areas to be voiced and considered in state policy-making.
The outcome of this election could affect the balance of power or party dynamics within the Alabama State House, especially if the seats switch party allegiance. These elections can have implications for the passage of legislation, particularly on contentious issues. special elections can serve as stepping stones for political newcomers or those looking to advance their political careers. Success or failure in such elections can significantly impact individual political trajectories.
The representatives elected in these special elections will participate in deliberations and voting on state legislation, thereby affecting policy outcomes on a range of issues including education, healthcare, and economic development. So it matters a lot for the state’s future and well-being
Although state legislative elections are primarily of local and state concern, they can have national implications. The political climate and policy decisions at the state level can resonate nationally, particularly if they align or conflict with broader national debates or federal policies. Special elections, by drawing attention to specific issues or candidates, can increase political engagement and awareness among the public, both within Alabama and potentially beyond, as people observe the unfolding political narratives.
Through these lenses, the special elections in Alabama's State House Districts 16 and 55 contribute to the evolving political landscape locally, across Alabama, and potentially to some extent, nationally.
