By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Tuesday, November 18, James McGill announced that he is running for the Alabama House of Representatives representing District 80 as a Republican. The office was vacated and a special election was call by Alabama Governor Bentley (R) after the death of Representative Leslie Vance (R).
James McGill said in a written statement, “We need a strong, experienced conservative leader to represent us in the State House. I have a heart for this part of our state. This is my home and the people here are my friends and neighbors. I know how much we have to offer and I believe that I can provide the type of leadership that District 80 deserves.”
McGill said, “It is critical that we continue the growth between lower Lee County, upper Phenix City and west Russell County. We need proven representation that can pull these three areas together and if we can do that, we can outgrow any region of the state. I know that I can make that happen.”
McGill is an engineer and has served as the Director of Economic Development for the Russell County Chamber of Commerce for more than a decade. McGill said that he has track record of helping the area to grow and points to Fort Mitchell’s commercial expansion and safer access to Fort Benning’s West Gate as examples of what he has helped to achieve.
District 80 includes parts of Lee and Russell Counties.
On Monday, November 9 Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) announced the timeline for the special election to fill the Alabama House District 80 seat vacated by the death of Representative Lesley Vance (R).
Major party candidate qualifying ended on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. The two major political parties must certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2015.
The special Primary Election for the District 80 House seat will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2016. If a Special Primary Election is not necessary because the major parties have only one candidate, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016.
If a Special Primary Runoff Election is necessary because of one candidate not receiving a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election it will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016.
If a Special Primary Runoff Election is not necessary because one candidate receives a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. If a Special Primary Runoff Election is required, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2013.
Gov. Bentley said, “This timeline gives candidates time to qualify, allows voters time to learn about candidates, and allows time for those who are unable to vote in-person to arrange to vote by absentee ballot.”
All third-party candidates, independent candidates, and/or minor party candidates seeking ballot access must turn in all of their appropriate notification, petitions, or supporting paperwork with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, at 5:00 p.m.
The ‘Alabama Political Reporter’ will have more information on qualified party candidates later this week.
Secretary of State John Merrill told the ‘Alabama Political Reporter’ that the schedule was expedited as much as possible so that District 80 could have a Representative in place for at least part of the 2016 legislative session. Sec. Merrill said that Rep. Vance had been sick for many months.
