By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Voters in House District 104, in Mobile County, go to the polls on Tuesday to select their candidate to replace Representative Jim Barton (R) from Mobile. Margie Wilcox won a close race versus children’s boutique owner, Susan Hightower, in the Republican Primary Runoff special election seven weeks ago and now faces Democrat, Stephen P. Carr. Wilcox has to unite the Republican electorate and turn out her voters in order to defeat Stephen Carr, who faces an uphill battle in the Republican leaning South Alabama District.
Wilcox said on Facebook Monday, “I just finished an on air interview with WPMI channel 15. We are trying to raise awareness for Tuesday election. We need Republicans to vote this Tuesday.”
Margie Wilcox is a prominent business owner who owns cab companies and airport transport companies. The Theodore businesswoman is staunchly pro-Life and supports the traditional family.
Wilcox said on her website, “By ensuring that our parks are clean and safe and that our police have the resources and the laws to fight crime we can keep families together and our children safe. We need a stronger focus on families!” Wilcox is a charter member of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church.
If elected, Wilcox promises to reduce the size of government, publish most government documents on the web, and strengthen Alabama’s ethic laws. Wilcox said on her website: “Just a few years ago our republican leadership did a great job in passing new laws to improve our trust and confidence in elected leadership. Unfortunately the loop holes have been found. Double dippers are still double dipping and the old revolving door is spinning even faster. I am a cheerleader for the conservative leadership in our state and I want to join them with a push to close those holes and keep the promise to be the most honest and transparent leadership in the history of Alabama!” Wilcox is a graduate of Leadership Mobile, a former member of the Mobile County Republican Executive Committee and has been very active in the Business Council of Alabama and the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Carr has received the endorsement of the Alabama Voter’s Coalition (a Democratic Party aligned group). The group said in a written statement that it, “Believes that Stephen Carr a Democrat is the best candidate to represent House District 104 in Mobile County and the Great State of Alabama.
Chairman of the Alabama Voter’s Coalition, Gary Johnson said, “We need a Representative for the people and not the select few and special interest. Our legislative body in Montgomery supposed to serve and represent all people. I believe Stephen Carr will do just that.”
Stephen P. Carr said in a written statement, “Mobile has a chance on Tuesday, January 28th, to send a true public servant to Montgomery for a change. I am the best candidate and have no personal gain ambitions tied to my candidacy. I seek to serve the people, and that is what I will do as long as I have the privilege to serve. I have served in the Army, in Community Mental Health Clinics, in Church and Faith Based organizations, and have always put others’ interests before my own. This trait of wanting to help and to serve others is what has driven me to run for the District 104 seat and I hope that the people of Mobile County will give me the chance to prove to them that I am what I say that I am, a public servant.”
The House District 104 seat became vacant following the resignation of Representative Jim Barton (R) this past August when he left to pursue a job opportunity as a professional lobbyist. The winner will serve the remainder of Barton’s term and will still have to face re-election in 2014 along with every other seat in the Alabama Legislature. House District 104 is located in the southern section of Mobile County and stretches from I-65 to the Mississippi line.
Both camps are anxious to motivate their voters to go to the poll. Rare winter weather last week led Alabama Governor Robert Bentley to postpone the special election until today. Voter turnout is expected to be very light.
Wilcox said on Facebook, “We are in the “red zone” (to borrow a football phrase). Let’s push hard to accomplish our goal and WIN this election. Call and volunteer for: waving, placing signs, reminding voters to vote, poll greeting, victory party committee, etc. Thank you for all of your efforts I am forever grateful.”
