Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead announced Tuesday evening that the plan the Party devised to make northwest Alabama as red as the rest of the state has become a reality with the election of several Republicans to the Alabama Legislature. The biggest upset of all was in Senate District 6 (Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Lauderdale and Lawrence Counties) where long time Democrat Senator Roger Bedford was defeated by Dr. Larry Stutts, a physician in Colbert County who has never run for political office.
Another fellow physician, Dr. Tim Melson of Lauderdale County defeated Democrat Mike Curtis for State Senate District 1 (Lauderdale, Limestone and Madison Counties). Melson will replace Sen. Tammy Irons, who did not run for re-election. Another Lauderdale Republican, Phillip Pettus, has defeated incumbent Democrat Representative Greg Burdine for House District 1 (Lauderdale County).
Locally, Republicans racked up more wins with the election of former Florence Police Chief Singleton as Lauderdale County Sheriff. Colbert County elected its first countywide Republican when Revenue Commissioner Tommy Oswalt defeated Keith Coates to win his first full term in this office. Oswalt was previously appointed Revenue Commissioner by Governor Bentley to serve out the term of Bill Thompson.
Chairman Bill Armistead issued the following statement:
“We are elated with the vote of confidence the people in the Shoals area have given to our fine slate of Republican candidates. Voters are no different in northwest Alabama than the rest of the state. They are conservatives in every respect and realize that the Democratic Party has left them, and they have found a new home with the Republican Party.
“Dr. Larry Stutts’ historic defeat of long time Democrat Senator Roger Bedford sends a strong message that voters are tired of politics as usual and want some fresh faces representing them in Montgomery. Dr. Stutts ran a great campaign and it was truly rewarding to see how the voters embraced him and his message.
“I spoke to Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh tonight, and he has called a meeting of the Republican Senators tomorrow to begin working together for the betterment of their constituents. Sen. Larry Stutts and Sen. Tim Melson will be attending the meeting since they will assume their new office at midnight tonight. I am really excited to see the enthusiasm that Dr. Stutts and Dr. Melson have regarding their first day as the new senators for northwest Alabama. Newly elected Rep. Phillip Pettus will also assume his new position tomorrow, and will be attending a meeting of the House Republicans on Thursday.
“I could not be more proud of newly elected Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton and Colbert County Revenue Commissioner Tommy Oswalt. I know that the citizens of Colbert and Lauderdale Counties will be well served by their service.”