By MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News
Three incumbent Alabama House members are trying to hold onto their seats today while another six runoff contests are for open seats in the House.
For the State Senate, there are two high profile runoffs for open seats, one on the Republican side and one for Democrats.
HOUSE INCUMBENTS
In north Alabama’s House District 4, Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, faces challenger Patrick Johnson of Decatur.
In House District 14, two-term incumbent Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, faces Morgan County business owner Tom Fredricks. There is no Democrat candidate.
In House District 55 in Jefferson County, incumbent Rep. Rod Scott got 25.1% of the vote in a five-person primary in May. He and Fred “Coach” Plump, who received 22.34% last month, are on the ballot. There is no Republican candidate.
OPEN HOUSE SEATS
In North Alabama’s House District 2, currently held by retiring Rep. Lynn Greer, Republicans Ben Harrison and Jason Spencer Black were separated by less than 200 votes on May 24. A challenge to the state Republican Party has been filed in that race. A third candidate, Kimberly Butler, missed the runoff by five votes. There is no Democrat candidate.
In southern Jefferson County’s open House District 56, there is a runoff between Democrats Ontario Tillman and Tereshia Huffman. There is no Republican candidate.
In House District 20, Republicans James Lomax and Frances Taylor compete for the seat being left by Rep. Howard Sanderford, R-Huntsville. There is no Democrat running for the seat.
In House District 40, a seven-person primary field was narrowed to Chad Robertson and Julie Borrelli. The winner faces Democrat Pamela Howard in November.
In House District 57, Democrats Patrick Sellers and Charles Ray Winston III face-off to replace Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, who last month became Democrats’ nominee for state Senate in her district. Delor Baumann is the Republican nominee for the House seat.
And in House District 100, long held by retiring Rep. Victor Gaston, R-Mobile, Republican Mark Shirey is trying to keep the May 24 advantage he had over Pete Kupfer. No Democrat is running for the seat.
STATE SENATE
In Senate District 12, which includes Calhoun County and part of Talladega County, Republicans Wendy Ghee Draper and Keith Kelley are in a runoff for the seat held by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston. The winner will challenge Democrat Danny McCullars in November.
In Senate District 23, former longtime lawmaker Sen. Hank Sanders’ four-year retirement from the Alabama Senate may soon be over. Sanders, a Democrat from Selma, led the May 24 contest, but couldn’t avoid a runoff with Selma native Robert L. Stewart. The seat is open because Sanders’ daughter, Malika Sanders-Fortier ran for governor. Michael Nimmer is the Republican nominee.