Birmingham, AL – The Republican Party held primaries today to fill vacancies in Alabama’s House of Representatives as a result of the resignation of two members. Representative Barry Mask resigned from House District 31 which includes parts of Elmore and Coosa counties. Representative Jim Barton resigned from House District 104 which includes a portion of Mobile County.
The primary in House District 31 featured four Republicans: Frank Bertarelli, Jimmy Collier and Mike Holmes of Wetumpka and Michael Griggs of Tallassee. A runoff will occur on January 28, 2014 between Mike Holmes and Jimmy Collier. Holmes received 41% (1370 votes), Jimmy Collier received 29% (979 votes), Frank Bertarelli received 19% (638 votes) and Michael Griggs received 10% (349 votes). The winner of the runoff in January will gain the seat as there is no Democrat nominee.
The primary in House District 104 was a special runoff election which featured two small business owners, Susan Hightower and Margie Wilcox. The Republican nominee for the seat will be Margie Wilcox. Wilcox received 51% (1723 votes) and Hightower received 49% (1657 votes). Margie Wilcox will face Democrat Stephen Carr in the special general election on January 28, 2014.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead made the following statement following the results of the above elections:
“My congratulations go out to Margie Wilcox for her victory in House District 104 in Mobile. The voters in District 104 will have a strong conservative carrying the banner for the Republican Party when she takes her campaign into the general election scheduled for January. Both Ms. Wilcox and Ms. Hightower fought hard to win this nomination and while Ms. Wilcox was the victor, Ms. Hightower demonstrated her dedication to public service. Voters in Mobile County can be proud they had such great candidates seeking to represent them in Montgomery.
“I also congratulate Mike Holmes and Jimmy Collier for their successful campaign in District 31 to face one another in the runoff election in January. We were fortunate to have four dedicated citizens offer themselves for this office.
“I encourage Republicans in Elmore and Coosa counties to come out one more time to vote in this runoff election. I am confident that the voters in District 31 will have another strong conservative Republican representing them in the House for the remainder of this term, which ends in next November.”