Sheriff, commission chair headline ballot
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bradley Byrne was in Hartselle last week, where he picked up the endorsements of former state senator Tommy Ed Roberts and Sen. Arthur Orr.
Voters will head to the polls July 13 to choose party candidates in several county races, including sheriff, county commissioner, county commission chair and coroner, as well as the GOP nominee for governor. In at least one of those races, a one-time candidate is stepping forward to endorse his former opponent.
Noel Mayfield, who along with Ana Franklin challenged incumbent Sheriff Greg Bartlett for the Republican nomination, is now offering his support to Bartlett. Bartlett and Franklin entered the primary runoff virtually even, picking up 37 percent and 36 percent, respectively, in June 1 voting. Mayfield finished with 26 percent of the votes.
“I’m supporting Greg because I feel he’s the most qualified person running for office,” Mayfield said. “I want to do what’s best for Morgan County and I think Greg gives us that.”
The sheriff’s race has centered mainly on experience. Bartlett is seeking his third term in office. Prior to being elected sheriff, he served as chief investigator for the Morgan County District Attorney’s office for eight years and worked as a patrol officer, narcotics investigator and criminal investigator while in Hartselle. Franklin’s experience includes time as an undercover narcotics vice agent and work with the county’s sex offender unit and as a drug-endangered child agent.
The winner of the Bartlett/Franklin race faces Democrat Tom Little, who was unopposed in the primary.
Another hotly contested race is the one of the chair of the Morgan County Commission. Revenue Commissioner Amanda Scott and Somerville Mayor Ray Long were the top two vote getters in the Republican primary, emerging from a four candidate field that included incumbent commission chair John Glasscock and commissioner Don Stisher.
The winner of the Scott/Long race faces no opposition in November.
Other races include:
• The Democratic ballot is short, with only two races included. One is the runoff the Attorney General, with James Anderson facing Giles Perkins. The winner will face Luther Strange in November.
• The race for Morgan County Coroner is on both ballots. On the Democratic side, Lavonne Collier faces Brent Gailey. On the Republican side, Mac Beard faces Jeff Chunn.
• Paul Holmes and Christina Holmes McLemore are seeking the GOP nomination for Morgan County Board of Education District Four.
• Incumbent Ken Livingston and Randy Vest are meeting to decide the Republican nominee for Morgan County Commission District Two.
• Statewide, the headline race is the one for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Bradley Byrne and Dr. Robert Bentley are squaring off to see who will face former Agricultural Commissioner Ron Sparks in November. Byrne was in Hartselle last week where he picked up the endorsement of Sen. Arthur Orr and former senators Tommy Ed Roberts and Bob Harris.
Other statewide races include Dorman Grace and John McMillan for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries; and Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh and Stephen Evans for Place One on the Public Service Commission.
Polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. July 13. Identification, such as a driver’s license, is required to cast a vote.
