Embattled incumbent faces challenger for GOP nomination in House 88 race

PRATTVILLE — An embattled incumbent and the Prattville City Council president are seeking the Republican nomination for House District 88.

Will Dismukes is seeking his second term. Jerry Starnes is in his third term on the council and serves as presiding officer. The district covers portions of western Autauga and eastern Elmore counties and includes the cities of Prattville and Millbrook.

Both are from Prattville.

"I am running for re-election to continue being the conservative voice for the people. I’ve been that conservative voice for four years and I know I will continue being that voice going forward," Dismukes said. "I voted against the gas tax, voted yes to ban [critical race theory], voted yes to Constitutional carry, and voted yes for one of the strongest pro life bills in the U.S. I will continue to do what I say."

It's time for a change, Starnes said.

"I feel that it has been some time since Autauga and Elmore counties have had the representation and respect that it needs and deserves at the statehouse to consistently get things accomplished," he said. "I will bring integrity and respect back to the District 88 house seat and work hard to gain the confidence of not only my constituents but my peers at the statehouse to get things accomplished for our district."

Dismukes owns a flooring company. Starnes is a parole officer and lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard.

Dismukes has had a controversial tenure. In June he was indicted by the Montgomery County Grand jury on a single charge of felony theft of property. According to the indictment, Dismukes allegedly "...gained control of flooring or construction materials valued at more than $2,500" while working for Weiss Flooring. The alleged theft was before he went to the Legislature.

In previous interviews he maintained his innocence and said he was looking forward to his day in court and clearing his name. The trial date has not been set.

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In 2020, Dismukes delivered an invocation at what was described as a birthday celebration for Nathan Bedford Forrest, a former Confederate general. Forrest was a slave trader before the Civil War and a founding member of the Ku Klux Klan. (Forrest later distanced himself from the KKK over its violence.)

Dismukes posted images of his appearance at the birthday celebration on social media and received national media attention. Dismukes says he addressed the controversy then and will no longer comment on the matter.

As for the upcoming election, Starnes says his experience makes him qualified to serve.

"I love the State of Alabama and House District 88," he said." I have been a life-long servant for this country and this district. I currently serve as a lieutenant colonel in the Alabama Army National Guard and I served in Baghdad, Iraq in 2004-2005.

"I was awarded the Purple Heart in November 2004. I also work as a district manager  for Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles and have been in this department for 24 years. I have been serving as a Prattville city councilor for 10 years and am currently its president. Prattville has seen tremendous growth during this time. I feel all this combined — my leadership, experience and desire to serve — makes me uniquely qualified for this office."

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Dismukes also touts his accomplishments.

"After four years of relentless attacks I feel I have proven I will take a stand for District 88 and the entirety of Alabama no matter the cost," he said. "We have enough politicians who take the easy road. I will stand my ground and be a voice for the people.

"Over four years I have learned so much about our laws and I now have a clear picture of how we can truly make some changes in the state."

If re-elected Dismukes said he will make controlling spending a priority.

"One of my main priorities will be continuing to cut wasteful spending," he said, "I voted against the gas tax and will continue to vote against tax increases. We are taxed to death. The people need more accountability for where their tax dollars are spent.

"We have taken great steps forward on improving our education across the state, but we still have a long ways to go."

If elected, Starnes wants to unify the district.

"I want to work with the leadership in District 88, not just the county commissioners, city councils and mayors, but the chambers, the economic development teams and, of course, the citizens to help Elmore and Autauga Counties reach their full potential," he said. "My vision and goal are to work hard to make District 88 one of the strongest economic powerhouses in the state of Alabama."

Will Dismukes

• Age: 32

• Party: Republican

• Professional: Owns a flooring business

• Political experience: Seeking his second term in the Legislature

• Education: Bachelors degree in political science from Faulkner University

Jerry Starnes

• Age: 54

• Party: Republican

• Professional: Supervisor with the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard

• Political experience: He is in his third term on the Prattville City Council and is serving as council president

• Education: Bachelors degree in criminal justice from Troy University and masters degree in justice and public safety from Auburn University at Montgomery

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Dismukes faces Starnes for GOP nomination in House 88 race