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In an important development in Alabama politics, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) has officially announced its support for Marilyn Lands as one of their Spotlight candidates. Lands, a licensed counselor, is running for a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives to represent Madison and southwest Madison County in a special election scheduled for March 26th.
“The DLCC is thrilled to announce Marilyn Lands as our newest spotlight candidate,” said DLCC President Heather Williams. “This race is one of our strongest opportunities to flip a seat in the Alabama House, where Republicans have outsized influence due to extreme gerrymandering. Republicans have used their supermajorities in the state legislature to enact a severe abortion ban, undermine voting access, and attack LGBTQ+ rights,” she continued. “Their extreme MAGA agenda is out of touch with the needs of Madison and southwest Madison County. Marilyn has lived in her community for 30 years and has deep ties to the community as a counselor – she’s just the candidate to clinch a victory in this tough district. Special elections provide a critical opportunity to build Democratic power in states one seat at a time, and the DLCC stands ready to support Marilyn.”
Lands’ campaign focuses on improving healthcare and mental health resources, especially for children. This resonates in a district that had a close race in 2022, where Lands narrowly missed victory, securing 45 percent of the vote against Republican David Cole’s 51 percent. This tight margin underscores the district’s competitive nature. The margin of victory between Lands and Cole was less than 1,000 votes.
This year, Lands returns with a strategy emphasizing direct voter contact, a tactic that could be decisive. She aims to use the insights from her previous campaign to secure a win.
The election follows the resignation of former Rep. Cole, who stepped down in August 2023 after a plea deal related to voting irregularities. An investigation by APR had earlier raised questions about Cole’s residency claims, leading to his indictment and conviction.
As Lands steps into the election, her experience and focus on key issues like healthcare position her strongly for the race, with the DLCC’s support adding momentum. The special election in Alabama’s House District 10 is shaping up to be a pivotal event.
The DLCC, as the Democratic Party’s official committee for state legislatures, emphasizes its role in winning legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the past decade, they have been instrumental in achieving new legislative chamber majorities and focus on bringing attention and investment to state-level politics. They underscore the importance of state legislatures in American democracy and their impact on everyday lives, from protecting freedoms and voting rights to supporting the middle class.
