Six GOP candidates enter race for House District 27 seat

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Qualifying for the House District 27 Special Election ended Tuesday evening, with six Republicans in the race, but apparently no Democrats qualified to run.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced the Special Election last week and set the Primary for April 2. A runoff election, if necessary, is set for April 30.

Eleventh Judicial Circuit Judge indicted for misusing court funds, perjury

The Special Election is to fill the seat vacated by Wes Kitchens, who won the Jan. 9 Alabama Senate District 9 race without a runoff. Kitchens fills the seat vacated by Clay Scofield, who resigned in October to take a job with the Business Council of Alabama.

District 27 includes Arab, Guntersville, Grant and Union Grove.

The six Republicans in the field are Stacy George, Bill Hancock, Alan Miller, Jeana Ross, Bill Stricklend and Billy Ray Todd.

George is a two-time candidate for Governor, who finished third in the District 9 Senate race. He’s a native of Arab. In announcing his candidacy George said he plans on “reclaiming God’s territory in District 27.” His campaign news release said, in part:

“During the last few months, while campaigning, he realized the people of Marshall County know who GOD is and now they know who George is. He just wants people to know who Jesus is and how much Jesus loves them. This campaign will focus on Jesus and George. Montgomery, Alabama does not want too much Jesus or too much George, but we believe during this campaign Montgomery is going to get both.”

Sodomy trial against former Decatur pastor continued

Hancock is a Marshall County Board of Education member. In announcing his campaign, Hancock asked for voters’ support and said he would be providing more information about his campaign after qualifying.

Miller is a member of the Arab City Council and a Redstone Federal Credit Union branch manager. In announcing his candidacy, the lifelong Marshall County resident’s campaign said he’s ready for the next challenge.

“With his solid educational foundation, extensive community involvement, and years of experience in the business world, he feels he possesses all the necessary skills and competencies for the role of House District 27 Representative,” Miller’s campaign announcement said.

Ross, a Guntersville resident, led Alabama’s Department of Early Childhood Education from 2012 until her retirement in 2020. A 26-year teacher, Ross said in her campaign news release that education will be a priority, but she will also address other issues of concern.

Limestone Co. parents concerned about school re-zoning

“As a career educator, continuing Alabama’s improvements in our public schools is a passion of mine, but I will also focus on other important issues like combatting illegal immigration, creating jobs, and protecting our traditional morals and conservative values,” Ross said. “I believe strongly that if we begin teaching our children essential life skills at an early age, they will be prepared to fill long-lasting, well-paying, 21st Century jobs as adults, which keeps Alabama’s economy growing well into the future.”

Stricklend is a former three-term Marshall County Commissioner and had a long career in law enforcement in Marshall County, including serving as the chief investigator for the Marshall County District Attorney’s Office. He currently serves as a trustee on the Arab Electric Cooperative. He is also a former president of the Association of County Commissioners of Alabama.

Todd lives in Guntersville. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and also worked for the VA before retiring. In his campaign news release, he said he is a fiscal conservative and wants to cut wasteful spending to eliminate any need for tax increases.

The general election is scheduled for July 16. In the Senate District 9 race, no Democrats were in the field and Kitchens won without a runoff. The Alabama Secretary of State’s Office said given that, the general election wasn’t necessary.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.