The upcoming elections in Alabama feature a contested race for the position of Judge on the Court of Civil Appeals. This election presents a choice between incumbent Judge Chad Hanson and challenger Stephen Davis Parker. Both candidates are Republicans, ensuring the court will maintain its Republican majority regardless of the outcome.
On the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Judge Chad Hanson, elected in 2018, is seeking a second term and faces a Republican challenger, Stephen Parker, who has been practicing law for 23 years in Cullman County.
Below is an overview of the candidates and the context of this judicial election.
Alabama Judicial System Chart
Overview of the Candidates
Chad Hanson
Chad Arthur Hanson was administered the oath of office by Court of Civil Appeals Presiding Judge William C. Thompson. Hanson was elected in 2018 and is seeking a second term. “The robe that I will wear does not belong to me, but to the people of this state,” Judge Hanson said.
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Stephen Davis Parker
Stephen Parker has been practicing law for 23 years in Cullman County and is challenging incumbent Judge Chad Hanson for a seat on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.
Context of the Election
Alabama’s Court of Civil Appeals and the Court of Criminal Appeals, with five members each, are all Republican and will remain that way, with no Democratic candidates. There is one contested race on both courts.
Civil Appeals Judges Terry Moore and Christy Edwards are running unopposed for another six-year term. Moore was elected in 2006, and Edwards was elected in 2018.
Two judges on the Court of Criminal Appeals are unopposed for another term - William Cole and Richard Minor. Both are Republicans.
The primary is Tuesday.
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Other Election Information
In its Feb. 20 meeting, the Franklin County Commission passed a resolution encouraging the citizens of the county to vote “yes” to Amendment One.
Also up for a vote March fifth is a proposed statewide amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022 “to amend Section 71.01 authorizing the Legislature to sign and transmit local laws or constitutional amendments before the transmission of basic appropriations (Proposed by Act 2023-562).
On the Democratic ballot March 5, voters can select, for Democratic party President of the United States from Joseph R. Biden, Jr.; Dean Phillips; or Uncommitted. They can also vote for up to two delegates for Joseph R. Biden for the 2024 Democratic National Convention for the Fourth Congressional District. The names on the list are Susan McKenney and Curtis Travis.
Candidates for Republican party for President of the United States: Ryan L. Binkley, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, David Stuckenberg, Donald J. Trumpor a selection of Uncommitted can be made.
Candidates for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: Sarah Stewart and Bryan Taylor.
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Candidates for Court of Criminal Appeals Judge, Place 2: Rich Anderson and Thomas Govan.
Candidates for president of the Public Service Commission: Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh and Robert L.
Candidates for member of the State Board of Education for District 7: Doug Bachuss, Allen Long and Oscar S. Mann.
Friday, Tom Parker was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court at an investiture ceremony in Montgomery. Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, administered the oath of office to Justice Parker.
“My wife, Dottie and I are deeply humbled that you are here today,” Chief Justice Parker said. It is my intent that this interbranch swearing in is symbolic of the mutually supportive relationship between the coequal branches of government that we will have going forward.
Associate Justice Tommy Elias Bryan was sworn in next. “Being on the court with him is an absolute privilege,” Justice Wise said.
The oath of office to Jay Chris McCool was administered by federal District Judge Lyles Burke.
The oath of office was administered by Associate Justice Michael A. Bolin to James William “Bill” Cole.
The oath of office was administered to Richard J. Minor by federal Appeals Court Judge William H. “Bill” Pryor.
The oath of office was administered to Christy Olinger Edwards by Associate Justice Tommy Bryan.
Additional Community Events
Blue Springs Volunteer Fire Department in Phil Campbell held a candidate bean lunch Saturday. The Vina Fire Department will host a candidate supper March 2 at the Vina Community Center. Cost is $10 a plate, which includes dessert and a drink. There will be a cake auction after the candidates speak. For more information, call 256-356-4996.
Rep. Jamie Kiel (not up for reelection) spoke briefly, noting his appreciation for the community and the work of the fire department. “I thank all of you for coming and raising money for these good folks,” he said. “They provide a vital service to the community.
Of those running who were present for the speaking portion, Charles Mitchell, the only Democrat there, spoke first. He is running unopposed as a Democrat for the seat of Commissioner for District One on the Franklin County Commission. Because Mitchell is the only Democrat running for the position, his name is not on the sample ballots for the March 5 primary. He will face the Republican contender in the November election later this year.
Justin Holcomb spoke about his candidacy for United States Representative in the Fourth Congressional District. He said, in part, “We need change…Russellville is not in good shape. Incumbent Robert B. Aderholt is running against Holcomb for United States Representative for the Fourth Congressional District.
Ralton Baker spoke about his unopposed candidacy (he will therefore not be on the ballot until November) for another term representing District One as a board member on the Franklin County Schools Board of Education. Baker said he’s served on the board since 1990, noting he hasn’t had an opponent for the last three elections.
Mitch McKinney spoke about his run for District Court Judge for Franklin County, saying, in part, that he was born in Columbus, Georgia, and he and his wife, Russellville native Julie Herring McKinney, moved to Russellville from Atlanta five years ago, noting he runs a law office in downtown Russellville.
Jamie Sumerel is running against Mitch McKinney for District Judge. He said, in part, “I grew up right here in Franklin County and went to Russellville High School and graduated in 1999. From there, I went to the University of Alabama, graduated with a business degree and then went on to law school.”
Voting Equipment
Jason Miller, who is a current commissioner for District 2 on the Franklin County Commission, is running against incumbent Barry Moore for Probate Judge of Franklin County, attended an earlier part of the event, but left before the speaking portion.
Curtis Baker spoke about his candidacy as commissioner for District One on the Franklin County Commission. “I’m a lifelong resident of Franklin County,” Baker said, in part, adding he and his wife, Tiffany, have three children.
Michael Murray, another contender for District One Franklin County Commissioner, said, in part, that he’s been a lifelong resident of Franklin County and has been married to his wife for 31 years, with whom he has two children, both in college. “The experience I bring is 31 years in automotive repair. 25 years as owner of a business and 16 years working with the Franklin County Board of Education as a bus mechanic.
Kirk Sparks, the other candidate for District One commissioner for the Franklin County Commission, said, in part, that he’s lived “back and forth” between Franklin and Lawrence counties his whole life.
Heath Ayers is also running for District Two commissioner on the Franklin County Commission. “I’m from Colbert County originally,” Ayers said, in part.
Greg Hovater is the other candidate for District Two Commissioner for the Franklin County Commission. He said, in part, “I lived in Franklin County all my life. I’ve been married to my wife, Kathy, for, this year will be 35 years. We’ve got three kids that live in Franklin County, four grandkids. I’m a contractor.
Tracie Clark, of Red Bay, is running for the District Four commissioner position on the Franklin County Commission. She said, in part, “I’m married to Jeff Clark, and he works at Tiffin Motorhomes in Red Bay. I have spent my last 34 years serving the city of Red Bay in different aspects.
Wm David “Opie” Hester currently holds the District Four commissioner position on the Franklin County Commision, and he is seeking reelection. He has a political announcement on the Franklin County Times web site.
Aderholt said he’s a longtime supporter of a program in Washington, D.C., that gives grants to volunteer fire departments, a program funded by Congress. “I’ve always been a great supporter of that program and will continue to do everything I can to support volunteer fire departments…We do have a lot of issues in this country.
Aderholt said one thing he wants to do is to work to “close the borders” and “send back those that are here illegally,” adding he is endorsed by Donald Trump and that he, in turn, endorses Trump for another term as President of the United States of America. “We live in the greatest country in the world. We want to make sure that we keep our country the greatest country in the world,” he continued.
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