The Republican nominee for the open seat in state House District 12, which includes most of Cullman County, will be determined by a run-off election on August 12.
The initial primary election was a four-way race held on July 15. The two candidates who will be moving on to the August run-off, Cindy Myrex and Clint Hollingsworth, both received over 40 percent of the vote each.
Myrex received just under 50 percent of the votes cast, leading to initial uncertainty about whether the race would go to a run-off or Myrex might receive enough of the outstanding provisional ballots to cinch the nomination without one.
However, the final tally of the ballots cast, conducted by a local judge, found most of the provisional ballots were invalid and Myrex did not overcome the 50 percent hurdle, meaning a run-off would in fact be legally required.
As a first-time political candidate, Myrex’s campaign website describes her as a “lifelong resident of Cullman County, a successful businesswoman, and a proven conservative leader.”
Hollingsworth on the other hand is currently a city councilor for the city of Cullman, a post he has held for almost two decades now. He has accordingly tried to highlight his experience as a benefit for service in the state legislature, with his campaign website touting that “Clint Hollingsworth is a proven public servant.”
The Cullman Times reported that during a June town hall, both Myrex and Hollingsworth discussed supporting infrastructure improvements. Myrex talked about her support for widening Interstate 65, while Hollingsworth talked about the benefits of rural broadband programs.
Campaigning in the lead-up to the initial primary election also featured frequent mentions of Senate Bill 322, a bill passed into law by the state legislature last session. SB322 allowed “wet” municipalities to annex very specific parts of “dry” counties, namely private developments meeting a list of assorted requirements.
In Cullman County, the specific sticking point is the possible annexation of a Smith Lake resort. The local county commission passed a resolution opposing any such annexation in April, and Myrex has repeatedly talked about her personal opposition during the campaign.
“As a lifelong resident of this community, I strongly oppose the proposed annexation,” she wrote in one Facebook post. “This move raises serious concerns about transparency, the strain on local infrastructure, and the impact on our community’s character and values.”
During a June event with the other candidates, Hollingsworth said that, as a city councilor, he would vote for a possible annexation only if it benefited his district, but did not openly oppose it and said it could be a benefit for the area.
The winner of the August run-off election will continue on to face Matt Glover, the Democratic nominee, in a general election that will be held on October 28.
