On Tuesday, a pair of Republicans won two special elections for legislative vacancies in districts just south of Birmingham.
Former State Rep. April Weaver (R-Brierfield), who left her House District 49 seat in 2020 to serve in the Trump administration as regional director of the Department of Health and Human Services for Region IV, won the seat up in Senate District 14 by a 60-point margin over Democrat Virginia Applebaum. Weaver will serve out the remainder of the term for the seat previously occupied by former State Sen. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), who resigned the seat after his appointment by Gov. Kay Ivey to serve as director of the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.
Kenneth Paschal won his election for House District 73 over Democrat Sheridan Black by a 50-point margin. Paschal fills the seat vacated by former State Rep. Matt Fridy (R-Montevallo), who won an election in 2020 for a spot on the Court of Civil Appeals.
“I am honored that the people of District 14 have placed their trust in me to be their voice of representation in the Senate,” Weaver said in a statement. “I pledge to put their interests at the forefront of my work each day while also fighting for and preserving our conservative rights and freedoms. As a lifelong resident of this district, I know the people and the communities, and I will work my hardest to enhance their quality of life and see that our district is positioned to flourish.”
“As the only Republican woman serving in the Alabama Senate, I am excited to be in a position to continue to fight for our conservative values,” she continued. “I look forward to working with my new Senate Republican colleagues to accomplish these goals. Thank you to the people of District 14 for electing me to serve as your senator. I vow to work hard on your behalf and make certain that your voices are heard in the state legislature.”
Paschal’s victory will make him the first black Republican elected to the Alabama Legislature since Reconstruction.
“The voters of District 73 didn’t choose me because of the color of my skin. They got to know me,” he said in a statement. “They saw a God-fearing man of integrity who values and defends our Constitution. But I do recognize the historical significance of what happened today. I hope to be an example to all Alabamians that the Republican Party is open to everyone who shares a belief in freedom, self-reliance, fiscal responsibility, and opportunity for all.”
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
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