By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Tuesday, September 29, the Alabama Republican Party announced that the special primary election to fill the vacancy in Alabama House District 5 occurred today in Limestone County. No Republican came anywhere near getting fifty percent of the vote so as expected there will be a Republican runoff.
Ronnie G. Coffman received 326 votes (10 percent of the ballots cast). Danny F. Crawford got 1,132 votes (33 percent). Mike Criscillis got 442 votes (13 percent). Jerry W. Hill received just 179 votes (5 percent). Chris Seibert had 1,313 votes (39 percent). He and Danny F. Crawford will face each other in a Republican primary special election contest on December 8, 2015. Those numbers are still preliminary and do not include any provisional ballots.
The Alabama House District 5 seat became open following the death of Representative Dan Williams (R-Athens) due to Leukemia.
Seibert said in a statement on Facebook, “Final results are Seibert 39 percent, Crawford 33 percent with a run-off December 8. Thank you to everyone who came out today and for your prayers and support!”
Crawford said in his own statement, “Thank you to everyone who voted today. I am humbled and honored that the people of Limestone County have chosen me as one of two people they’re considering to represent them in Montgomery and will work hard to become their #1 choice in the coming days.”
Crawford is a former Limestone County and state executive director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA). He is a former member of the Athens City Council. Crawford said, “Issues that are important to me: 1. Protecting our conservative values 2. Working on economic development to create new jobs 3. Improving our children’s education 4. Working toward tax reform – not tax increases.”
Chris Seibert is a member of the Athens City Council, a former Tide football player, a former US Air Force Captain and works as a medical sales director.
Seibert said on his website, “After talking to Tiffany and my family I came to the decision to run because I want Limestone County to continue moving forward and to have the representation it deserves. I believe in serving the people and making sure Limestone County continues to receive jobs, economic development and that we receive our fair share from Montgomery. Limestone County is a great place for families to call home and I want to make sure that we have the resources to build new roads and infrastructure, support our law enforcements, and preserve our conservative values. Our state is at a crossroads and I feel that my business experience and service to my country has prepared me for this opportunity. Now more than ever it is time to cut the wasteful spending and do more with less. As the father of two small boys I know firsthand what is at stake, the future of Alabama is happening now.”
The primary runoff election is scheduled for December 8, 2015. The winner of the Republican nomination will face Democrat Henry White in the Special General Election on February 16, 2016.
