Republican voters on Tuesday in House District 73 voted in a special primary election. Army veteran Kenneth Paschal and Helena City Councilwoman Leigh Hulsey received the most votes in the crowded Republican primary field in Shelby County.
According to unofficial vote results, Joseph Daley received 93 votes, George Henry 590 votes (19.7 percent), Leigh Hulsey 923 (30.8 percent), Kenneth Paschal 813 (27.1 percent), and Kerri Pate 581 (19.4 percent). The provisional ballots will be counted on April 6, 2021, and the Republican Party will certify the election to the secretary of state on April 7, 2021.
Leigh Hulsey and Kenneth Paschal will face off in the Republican primary runoff election on Tuesday, April 27, 2021.
The seat became vacant when Matt Fridy, R-Montevallo, was elected to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.
Also on Tuesday, former state Rep. April Weaver, R-Briarfield, won the Alabama Senate District 14 race in a landslide. SD14 is composed of parts of Shelby, Chilton and Bibb Counties.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said: “Congratulations also to Leigh Hulsey and Kenneth Paschal on advancing to the run-off election. We offer our thanks to all the candidates in both races. Running for political office is a huge commitment and sacrifice, and we wish them the very best.”
“I want to thank the voters of Shelby County for the trust they placed in me today,” Paschal said. “There were many good candidates and I’m grateful for the voters’ support,” said Paschal. “When I joined the Army, I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. That oath didn’t end when I retired from the Army and I would like to continue serving my country, state, and the people of Shelby County as their representative. I’ve never run for office before, but I feel like our campaign has momentum and I’m going to continue to work hard for every vote. This campaign is far from over. In the Army, I had to complete the mission. No excuses. That is what I intend to do in this campaign.”
“As I’ve said all along, we have too many politicians that can’t seem to get things done or stand up for what they believe,” Paschal added. “I’m running for God and country. I would like to ask the voters for their support in the runoff election on April 27th.”
“I would love to thank everyone who got out to vote today (absentees too),” Councilwoman Leigh Hulsey said on social media. “I’m overwhelmed and incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to earn your vote in the runoff on April 27th! Time to get back to work!”
Kenneth Paschal served 21 years in the Army before retiring in 2006 and moving to Shelby County. He is a past commander of the American Legion and a member of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Paschal was recently unanimously selected to join the Shelby County Republican Executive Committee. Paschal also volunteers his time with several pro-family organizations including the Alabama Family Rights Association where he advocates to protect families from excessive government interference and to protect children and families from abuse.
“I’m a conservative Christian and a life-long year resident of Shelby County,” Hulsey said. “I grew up in Pelham and graduated from Pelham high school. And also an Auburn graduate. For the past 12 years, I have served on the Helena City Council and re-elected to my fourth term. I also have owned a small business in Alabaster for the past 9 years.”
“We need better roads, stronger schools, better protection for the unborn, a secured 2nd Amendment, low taxes, and unwavering support for our First Responders,” Hulsey said. “You work hard to provide for your family, and I want to work hard for you.”
Sheridan Black was the only Democrat to qualify so there was no need for a Democratic primary election. Black will face the eventual Republican nominee in the special general election on Tuesday, July 13.
State House District 73 includes portions of Alabaster, Calera, Chelsea, Helena, Montevallo, Pelham and unincorporated Brantleyville.
