State, county races also on ballot

By Staff
Leada DeVaney, Hartselle Enquirer
It's been largely overshadowed by the wet/dry controversy in Hartselle, but area voters will be heading to the polls Tuesday to help elect Alabama's governor, lieutenant governor, sheriff and two county commissioners.
Gov. Don Siegelman, a Democrat, faces Republican Bob Riley in the race for governor. It's been a heated campaign, with Siegelman accusing Riley of not paying his taxes and Riley countering with allegations of no-bid contracts awarded by the Siegelman administration.
The race for lieutenant governor has been equally contentious. Democrat Lucy Baxley, who is currently state treasurer, is seeking to become the first woman elected to the lieutenant governor's post. She is challenged by Shelby County Sen. Bill Armistead, a Republican.
The two have traded barbs over spending state money for travel and management of Alabama's billion-dollar pre-paid college tuition program.
Other races on the ballot Tuesday are:
Democrat Mike Tarpley and Republican Kevin Murphy are running for the district three post and Sandra Jenkins-Sowder, a Democrat, and Tom Earwood, a Republican, are seeking the district five post.