A pair of special elections to fill vacancies in the Alabama House of Representatives held primary contests Tuesday, with both races headed into an Oct. 24 runoff.
In House District 55, covering parts of Jefferson County, frontrunner Travis Hendrix led the pack at roughly 28% with runner-up Sylvia Swayne pulling in 21% among seven candidates running in the Democratic primary. There were 2,401 votes cast.
Hendrix thanked supporters for giving him the advantage.
“We’re now heading into a runoff on October 24th, and I’m energized by the continued opportunity to serve our community,” he wrote. “Your support has been incredible, and I couldn’t have come this far without you!”
RELATED: Hendrix gets new shot at District 55 seat in Tuesday special election
In House District 16, Republicans Bryan Brinyark and Brad Cox are neck-and-neck at 33%. The four other candidates in the primary pulled off a combined total of 34% with 3,689 total votes cast.
The closeness of vote totals in District 16 reflects an intense competition to replace former Rep. Kyle South’s seat in the House. The district covers parts of Jefferson, Tuscaloosa and Fayette counties.
“Thank you for all of your hard work the past couple months,” Brinyark wrote on Facebook “It showed tonight in the results. Now we get back to work for the runoff!”
RELATED: Brinyark, Cox say ‘experience’ key in District 16 special election
Brinyark is an attorney, Tuscaloosa native and first-time candidate. Cox serves as the District One Commissioner in Fayette County with deep roots in the West Alabama agriculture community.
In that race, the victor of the Oct. 24 primary runoff will face Democratic candidate John Underwood in a special general election, with the district’s partisan composition strongly indicating the Republican nominee will take office. In District 55, there are no Republican candidates qualified for the seat.
As support among unsuccessful candidates consolidates and engagement in specially called, off-year elections remains minimal, continued fundraising, direct contact with voters and turnout strategies are set to become critical for all four candidates in their race to the State House.
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
