The Alabama Republican Party special primary election in House District 49 occurred on Tuesday in parts of Bibb, Chilton and Shelby Counties.
This seat was vacated by the resignation of State Rep. April Weaver (R-Brierfield), who left the legislature to join the administration of President Donald J. Trump.
Russell Bedsole and Mimi Penhale were the top vote earners on Tuesday, however neither achieved the majority threshold needed to avoid a runoff.
According to unofficial election results posted online by the secretary of state’s office, Bedsole garnered 919 votes (34.82%) and Penhale got 829 votes (31.41%).
Chuck Martin finished third with 24.25% (640 votes).
There are 29,746 registered voters in the district, and 2,640 ballots were counted as cast on Tuesday. This amounts to an 8.88% turnout.
Provisional ballots will be counted on August 11, and certification of votes will occur on August 12.
The special GOP primary runoff election in HD-49 will be held on Tuesday, September 1.
The Republican nominee will face Democrat Cheryl Patton in the November 17 special general election.
Bedsole is a longtime deputy sheriff in Shelby County and an Alabaster city councilor. Penhale is the legislative director for Shelby County’s legislative delegation. She took an unpaid leave of absence from this state government job to run for office.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
