On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth campaigned with Republican Garrett Dixon in a hotly-contested Alabama House special election to fill the seat of former State Rep. Debbie Wood.
Ainsworth said he drove three hours on Veterans Day to campaign with Dixon ahead of a Tuesday GOP runoff election against Kristin Nelson to decide the next State Representative for the Chambers and Lee Counties district.
The Alabama Forestry Association, Ainsworth, and Dixon came together to host a “Thank A Veteran” Lunch at Beulah High School in Lee County.
Citizens from across Lee and Chambers Counties attended to thank their local veterans.
Dixon, Ainsworth and AFA all understand the importance of Alabama being the most veteran-friendly state. This lunch gave Dixon the opportunity to celebrate District 38’s veterans and thank them for their service.
In a video message on Tuesday, Ainsworth praised Dixon as a “family man,” farmer, small-business owner, and an outsider who would “support President Trump and conservatives” in Montgomery.
“Garrett Dixon, I’m excited to support him here on this Veterans Day. We’re supporting veterans across this district,” Ainsworth said.
“When you think about Garrett Dixon, you’ve got a family man. His wife is a public school teacher. I think that’s a huge deal. His kids go to public school. His wife’s in the public school teaching. That’s the big difference between him and his opponent.”
“He’s a farmer and he’s a small business owner. When you look at the fact we need more people with that background in Montgomery, and thing I love about him, he’s not part of the establishment. He’s not part of the system. This guy has been a farmer. He’s worked his way and built his business.”
“He’s going to make a difference and be an outsider. He’ll support President Trump, support conservatives in this district, and we got to get them elected. That’s why I drove three and a half hours this morning. Support my friend, Garrett Dixon,” Ainsworth added.
Ainsworth endorsed Dixon back in August right after his official campaign announcement – as did the Alabama Forestry Association.
“AFA is proud to endorse Garrett in this upcoming special election,” said Chris Isaacson, AFA President and CEO. “Garrett’s principles align with what we believe. He knows the importance of the forest industry in his district and we look forward to his voice being heard in the State House.”
HD38 voters will return to the polls on Tuesday, November 18 after no candidate cleared 50% in an October GOP special primary. Returns showed Nelson led with 46.69% to Dixon’s 33.28%, with Micah Messer at 20.03%
Messer has since thrown his weight behind Dixon and supported him on the campaign trail headed into the runoff.
Nelson is chair of the Chambers County Republican Party and husband of Jeff Nelson, the elected Sheriff of Chambers County.
Dixon is a cotton and peanut farmer and small-business owner from Lee County.
The seat opened when former Rep. Debbie Wood resigned this summer after relocating to be closer to her husband’s job near the Florida Panhandle.
Ainsworth’s Veterans Day stop follows earlier praise for Dixon’s candidacy, calling him “exactly the kind of person we need serving in Montgomery.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
