Seven Qualify for HD 12 Seat
Four Republicans and three Democrats qualified as candidates for the House District 12 seat vacated by Democrat Neal Morrison.
Republicans who qualified to run, according to the Alabama Republican Party, are: Bill Floyd, a State Farm Insurance agent from Cullman; Greg Johnson, a Cullman lawyer; Stephen Parker, a Cullman lawyer; and Wayne Willingham, a member of the Cullman County Commission.
Democrats who qualified, according to the Alabama Democratic Party, were: James Fields, an Irondale pastor who lives in Hanceville; Ed Flaig, owner and publisher of the Trinity News in Hanceville; and Sheila Kretzschmar, a member of the Cullman County Board of Education.
The word heard here is that Floyd (former party chair for the county) and Willingham are going to be the strongest candidates for the GOP nomination. The Democratic Party faithful are largely supporting Kretzschmar (for example, state Senator Zeb Little, AEA) though Fields may mount a strong challenge.
In a special election, turnout is often quite low so an unlikely candidate can do unexpectedly well with a strong get-out-the-vote effort among supporters.
The party primaries will be Tuesday, November 13. A run-off would be held Tuesday, December 18.
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Danny, my family down in the Hanceville area said Ed Flaig has been putting up yard signs all over the county even in Oden and Grantlands districts. Shelia was at Oktoberfest in downtown Cullman campaigning over the weekend. Still no sign of Mr Fields.
On the GOP side, Mr Parker has a few campaign signs out,Johnson is in the paper talking about his background and Floyd just got started this week.
Comment by dan t — October 4, 2007 @ 11:02 am
Oh and Willingham hasnt been campaigning much either…..no signs or ads in the papers.
Comment by dan t — October 4, 2007 @ 11:08 am
Signs that are not in yards do not mean anything! Flaig does not have any signs in yards!
Comment by JJ — October 4, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Originally, I figured the race might come down to Willingham and Fields, but both seem disinterested.
Comment by SamfordDem — October 4, 2007 @ 11:24 am
SamfordDem I agree with you. I went to one event a few weeks ago in Cullman. Willingham was no where to be found but he had a little girl handing out his cardsand Fields was on some kind of church retreat.
Comment by dan t — October 4, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
[…] As mentioned here before, Sheila Kretzschmar (on the County Board of Education) is getting help from the Democrats’ usual suspects, e.g. AEA, trial lawyers, union, Zeb Little. Pastor James Fields has some local support but is likely to have trouble raising money to keep up. […]
Pingback by HD 12 Race Notes » Doc’s Political Parlor — October 16, 2007 @ 11:57 am
I think Ed Flaig is a fine man and should he be elected District 12 would be very fortunate to have a man as good and honest as he is. He thinks a lot like Neil Morrison does so I support him wholeheartedly.
Comment by Roy — October 31, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Flaig has done well in the debates. I think he is pulling ahead. His supportsers need to get out and vote.
Comment by Terry — November 10, 2007 @ 3:09 am