Former State Rep. April Weaver (R-Brierfield) on Tuesday routed the competition to win the special Republican primary in Alabama Senate District 14.

The district comprises portions of Bibb, Chilton and Shelby Counties, including areas hit especially hard by severe weather last week.

The SD 14 seat became vacant when former State Sen. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) was appointed as director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.

Unofficial results provided by the secretary of state’s office showed Weaver garnering 82% of the vote in a three-candidate primary field.

A lifelong resident of District 14, Weaver is a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration. She has worked more than 23 years in hospital management in various roles. Most recently, she served as a regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Trump administration.

“We are excited that after spending time working for the Trump Administration, former State Rep. April Weaver will be our nominee for Senate District 14. She will work hard to keep that seat in the Republican column and be a strong representative for the residents of Bibb, Chilton and Shelby Counties,” stated Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl.

When serving in the House of Representatives from 2010-2020, she was the first ever woman to serve as chair of the House Health Committee. Weaver has also been a leader within the Alabama Energy Council and national Energy Council.

Weaver will face Democrat Virginia Teague Applebaum in the general election.

SD 14 is considered safely Republican, as Ward carried 73% of the general election vote in 2018.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn