Kenneth Paschal won the special Republican primary run-off election in Alabama House District 73. Just 64 votes separated the two candidates.
As of press time, Kenneth Paschal has 1,476 votes, or 51.11 percent, to Leigh Hulsey’s 1,412 votes, or 48.89 percent. The provisional ballots will be counted on May 4, 2021, and the party will certify the election to the secretary of state on May 12, 2021.
“I would like to thank all the voters who came out today,” Paschal said. “This was a people-powered victory. I would like to thank Leigh Hulsey for running a good and clean campaign.”
“The Republican Party was incredibly blessed to have two outstanding, Conservative candidates vying for this position,” said Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl. “Only one can be our nominee, but we want to thank both candidates for their willingness to serve. We look forward to working with Kenneth Paschal as we move toward the general election. He will be a great addition to our Republican Caucus in the legislature, fighting for the issues that matter most to the people of Alabama. I hope that Leigh Hulsey will remain active in our party and continue to use her talents to further the Conservative movement as we stand for American values.”
Paschal served 21 years in the U.S. Army before retiring in 2006 and moving to Shelby County. Kenneth is a past commander of the American Legion and a member of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Paschal was recently unanimously selected to join the Shelby County Republican Executive Committee.
Paschal volunteers with several pro-family organizations including the Alabama Family Rights Association, where he advocates to protect families from excessive government interference and to protect children and families from abuse.
If elected, Paschal would be the first Black Republican elected as a Republican to serve as a member of the Alabama state Legislature in over a century. There was an earlier Representative who switched parties after being elected as a Democrat
Paschal will face Democrat Sheridan Black in the special general election on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
State House District 73 includes portions of Alabaster, Calera, Chelsea, Helena, Montevallo, Pelham and unincorporated Brantleyville.
The District 73 vacancy occurred when former state Rep. Matt Fridy, R-Montevallo, was elected to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.
