By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Republican Voters in Alabama House of Representatives District 31 go to the polls today to select their new state representative. Retired businessman Mike Holmes from Wetumpka faces longtime Ford car dealer Jimmy Collier.
Mike Holmes said on Facebook, “Alabama State House District 31 Voters: It seems like a very long time ago when I qualified with the Alabama Republican Party to seek election to the House of Representatives seat vacated by Barry Mask’s resignation on Labor Day. I just looked at our copy of the filing documents and the date was October 7, 2013 … not quite four months ago; but it feels much longer. Lots of time, energy, effort and money have been expended by our team over these four months. And now the finish line is in sight.”
Holmes continued, “I encourage each of you to make the effort and exercise your constitutionally guaranteed right to cast your vote in tomorrow’s February 4th election. In fact, I urge you to fulfill your patriotic obligation to vote. This election is very important to District 31 and to the State of Alabama as a whole. I am prepared and ready to serve you on day one. I humbly ask for your vote to represent you in the Alabama State House.”
Jimmy Collier said on Facebook, “We are going to try this again. We only have one more day until the Special Election for Alabama House Seat, District 31. Looks like the weather will cooperate for us this week. Please encourage all your friends and neighbors to get out to vote. Every vote could be the deciding vote. I, Jimmy Collier, appreciate your help and support.”
The special runoff election had been scheduled for last Tuesday, but was rescheduled by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) when it became apparent that a rare winter storm would hit the state last week.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead said, “I encourage Republicans in Elmore and Coosa counties to come out one more time to vote in this runoff election. I am confident that the voters in District 31 will have another strong conservative Republican representing them in the House for the remainder of this term, which ends in next November.”
The Special Republican Primary Runoff will decide who represents District 31 because no Democrat qualified to run in the heavily Republican district.
The winner of today’s special runoff election will serve for about ten months and will have to face voters again this year in the 2014 election. The Republican Primary is June 3.
House District 31 became vacant when incumbent Barry Mask resigned to take a job as the Chairman of the Alabama Realtor’s Association.
Polls will open at 7:00 am and will close at 7:00 pm.
