Republican Brian Brinyark won a resounding victory over Fayette County Commissioner John Underwood in Tuesday’s special general election for Alabama House District 16.

The district covers Fayette County, northern Tuscaloosa and a small part of western Jefferson County.

In unofficial tallies, Brinyark received 2,370 votes (83.36%) to Underwood’s 469 votes (16.50%).

Brinyark overcame five primary opponents to win the Republican nomination.

“Thank you House District 16! I’m ready to get to work!” Brinyark posted on Facebook.

The seat became vacant when former Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette) left the Legislature to accept a position as president and CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.

Also Tuesday, state Rep. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab) defeated State Rep. Brock Colvin (R-Albertville) and former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy Lee George in a special Republican primary election for Alabama Senate District 9, which includes portions of  Blount and Madison counties and all of Marshall County.

Unofficially, Kitchens received 3,707 votes (52.54%); Colvin received 2,702 votes (38.3%); and George had 646 votes (9.16%).

Since no Democrat candidate or independent qualified in this race, Kitchens is senator-elect. Gov. Kay Ivey will call a special election for Kitchens’ House District 27 seat.

“I am thrilled to congratulate Representative-elect Bryan Brinyark and Senator-elect Wes Kitchens on their wins,” said Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl. “Both were outstanding candidates, and I know they will do an amazing job representing the people of House District 16 and Senate District 9.”

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