From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — As voters head to the polls for Tuesday’s primaries, there are several elections that voters in The Tribune’s readership area will want to keep an eye on.
The marquee matchup is for the U.S. Senate seat that’s open due to the retirement of Republican Richard Shelby. Katie Britt has been the frontrunner for some time, but Mo Brooks has rebounded in recent weeks. Mike Durant is also runner, but polling places him at a distant third in the race.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey faces GOP opposition in the primary from a slew of candidates including Lindy Blanchard, Lew Burdette, Stacy George, Tim James, Donald Jones, Dean Odle, Dave Thomas and Dean Young.
Democrats running in the primary to challenge for the governor’s seat include Yolanda Flowers, Patricia Jamieson, Arthur Kennedy, Chad ‘Chig’ Martin, Malika Sanders-Fortier and Doug Smith.
Locally, District 45 incumbent Republican Dickie Drake, who represents Leeds and the areas surrounding the city, faces a challenge in the primary from Susan Dubose. The Democratic primary was canceled.
In the Alabama State Senate race for District 17, incumbent Republican Shay Shelnutt faces a primary challenge from Mike Dunn, who had attempted a run at the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Richard Shelby. Dunn dropped out of that race. The Democratic primary was canceled.
In House District 44, Danny Garrett isn’t on the ballot in the primary because he has no GOP or Democratic challenger. He is currently running unopposed for re-election to his seat. Garrett’s seat represents Trussville, Clay and part of Pinson.
In House District 50, which represents Springville and Moody, Jim Hill is also running unopposed. There is currently no Democratic challenger in the district, either.
District 58 incumbent Rolanda Harris, a Democrat, also faces no challenger. Neither does District 59 incumbent, Democrat Mary Moore.
Polling places for the 2022 primary election begins at 7 a.m on Tuesday, May 24, and close at 7 p.m. same day.