In what could be called a political version of “deja vu,” Marilyn Lands announced her candidacy for Alabama House of Representatives District 10. The announcement was made at a press conference Tuesday on the Madison County Courthouse steps.

The Huntsville Democrat made a similar announcement a couple of years ago for the same seat in the same district. But, this time there were extenuating circumstances – the winner of the 2022 election had to resign after being arrested last month on voting fraud.

“I grew up here, raised my family here, and go to church here. Today, I am proud to announce my campaign for District 10 because this is my home and you are my neighbors,” Lands said. “I will be your voice in Montgomery.

“I will find solutions to our common problems and work to build unity.”

Lands was defeated by David Cole in the district race in the 2022 general election. Cole, after his arrest and resignation last month, signed a plea agreement providing that he knowingly voted at a polling place where he was not authorized to vote.

On Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey set a special election in District 10 on March 26, 2024. House District 10 represents a portion of Madison County, including Madison and Huntsville.

In the 2022 election, Lands came closer than any other Democrat in Alabama to flipping a swing district.

A licensed professional counselor in private practice, Lands also was director of Counseling Services at Wellstone Behavioral Health, director of Marketing at the Port of Huntsville and  a marketing analyst at Boeing in Huntsville. She has degrees from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A&M University.

Lands is a graduate of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County (Class 5) and is a past chair of Panoply of the Arts and a past board chair of The Arts Council and Leadership Huntsville/Madison County.