By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Like their counterparts across the state, Escambia County voters will help select in the November 6 General Election the individual who will fill the governor’s seat for the next four years.
But local voters will also choose the county’s first new sheriff since 2003 and help select the local area’s representative in the Alabama Legislature. Some will also decide between an incumbent school board member and his challenger.
New sheriff
Veteran lawmen Mike Lambert, a Democrat who has served as Sheriff Grover Smith’s chief deputy since 2008, and Republican Heath Jackson, a sergeant with the Escambia County, Fla. Sheriff’s Office, are vying to fill Smith’s shoes.
Jackson ran unsuccessfully against the incumbent sheriff in 2010 and 2014. Smith, who has served four terms as the county’s top law enforcement officer, announced last year that he would not seek a fifth term.
District 66
Incumbent Alan Baker, who was elected to the District 66 post in the Alabama House of Representatives in 2006, is seeking a third six-year term. He is opposed by Susan Smith, who is in her second term on the Atmore City Council.
The winner will represent the voters of Escambia County and portions of Baldwin County, including Perdido.
BOE District 7
Incumbent Coleman Wallace, who was elected in 2012 to the District 7 seat on the Escambia County Board of Education, is seeking a third six-year term. He is opposed by Amanda “Mandi” Thompson, who is running as an Independent candidate.
According to maps posted on the BOE website, the district is one of the county’s largest, stretching to include Huxford and the surrounding area, McCullough and the rural portion of the county west of there, the Poarch community, and parts of Freemanville. The district also encompasses the area west of Jack Springs Road and south of Interstate 65, all the way into Atmore, where most of those who live north of Alabama 21 are included.
Also of interest
Other than the campaign for governor, where voters will choose between incumbent Kay Ivey and challenger Walt Maddox, and a few other statewide posts, some of the races that will have a bearing on or draw the interest of local voters are
Attorney General — Atmore native Steve Marshall, a Republican who was appointed in 2017 to the post, is being challenged by Joseph Siegelman, son of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman.
U.S. Representative, 1st District of Alabama — Republican Bradley Byrne, who was elected in 2014, is being challenged by Democrat Robert Kennedy Jr.
Escambia Co. Commission District 3 — Larry White, who has served on the commission for nearly 24 years, is being challenged by political newcomer Scottie Stewart.
Remember, also, that four proposed amendments to the state constitution are on the ballot. The amendments will follow the individual races, and an explanation of each is included on the back of each ballot.