By CAROLINE BECK, Alabama Daily News
April Weaver won the special election for Senate District 14 on Tuesday night, beating Democratic challenger Virginia Applebaum.
Weaver, a former Alabama House member, received 80% of the votes with 6,231 votes cast for her, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State.
“I am honored that the people of District 14 have placed their trust in me to be their voice of representation in the Senate,” Weaver said in a statement. “I pledge to put their interests at the forefront of my work each day while also fighting for and preserving our conservative rights and freedoms. As a lifelong resident of this district, I know the people and the communities, and I will work my hardest to enhance their quality of life and see that our district is positioned to flourish.”
Weaver’s win makes her the first Republican woman to serve in the Senate since 2010.
“As the only Republican woman serving in the Alabama Senate, I am excited to be in a position to continue to fight for our conservative values. I look forward to working with my new Senate Republican colleagues to accomplish these goals,” Weaver continued. “Thank you to the people of District 14 for electing me to serve as your senator. I vow to work hard on your behalf and make certain that your voices are heard in the state legislature.”
Weaver, of Brierfield, resigned from the House last spring to serve in President Donald Trump’s administration as the Region IV Regional Director for the Department of Health and Human Services. She left that position when she announced her Senate bid.
That seat wass vacant because Cam Ward, a Republican from Alabaster who held the seat since 2010, was appointed to lead the state Board of Pardons and Paroles.
President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, and Majority Leader Clay Scofield, R-Guntersville, congratulated Weaver on winning Tuesday night.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to work alongside Senator April Weaver, and I congratulate her on her election. Senator Weaver has laid out her common sense, conservative vision to the voters of District 14, who have put their trust in her to represent them in the Senate,” Reed said. “I look forward to enjoying the skills she will bring to our body as we work to improve the lives of Alabamians.”
“The Senate Republican Caucus has been in serious need of a strong female force, and Senator April Weaver is exactly the woman to fill that role. Our Caucus will benefit tremendously by having a leader who can represent the voices of the countless female Republicans across our state,” said Scofield. “I applaud Senator Weaver on her successful campaign and tremendous achievement, and I look forward to the fresh perspective she will bring to the table as a Republican woman in the Senate.”