West Alabama special election will decide House seat on Tuesday

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January 9, 2024

Voters in House District 16, which includes Fayette County, northern Tuscaloosa County, and a small portion of western Jefferson County, go to the polls today to elect a new State Representative.

Tuscaloosa attorney and judge, Bryan Brinyark is the Republican party nominee. Brinyark overcame a crowded Republican primary field with five candidates in September, ultimately winning out over Fayette County Commission Chairman Brad Cox in the Republican primary runoff in October.

The Democratic nominee is Fayette County Commissioner John Underwood. Underwood has served on the Fayette County Commission for the last 23 years. He was the only Democratic candidate to qualify for the primary.

Former State Representative Kyle South (R-Fayette) resigned his seat in 2023 to become the President and CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.

In the October GOP runoff, Brinyark received 1,706 votes (52.75% of the vote) while Cox received 1,528 votes (47.25%). In the initial primary, the two were virtually neck-in-neck among several other candidates.

Brinyark, a Tuscaloosa native and graduate of Central High School, has served as municipal judge for Centreville since 2005. Brinyark has five children, all graduates of Central High School. He lives on a farm in Tuscaloosa County — a region many HD16 voters also call home.

“I’m proud to be NRA AQ-Rated: The highest possible candidate rating.” Brinyark said on Facebook on Saturday. “I’m also excited to announce that I’m officially endorsed by the Alabama Farmers Federation. You can count on me to be your trusted, Republican voice!”

Underwood lives in Fayette. He is a part-time police officer at Bevill State Community College and has worked in law enforcement since 1995.

Underwood posted pictures with Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelley, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, and Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Conference, Joe Reed.

Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.

“I need your vote again to keep our district Republican,” Brinyark said on Facebook.

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