GOP voters go to the polls in House District 38 special Republican runoff

November 18 – CHAMBERS and LEE COUNTIES – Republican voters go to the polls today to select their representatives in House District 38. Farmer Garrett Dixon is running against homemaker Kristin Nelson in the special Republican runoff.

In the October Republican primary, Kristin Nelson led with 1,226 votes, winning 46.7% of the total. Garrett Dixon followed with 874 votes (33.3%). Micah Messer received just 526 votes (20%). Messer previously ran for the seat in 2022 against former Representative Debbie Wood (R-Valley). The seat became vacant this summer when Wood moved to Florida.

House District 38 covers parts of Chambers and Lee counties, including the communities of Valley, Lanett, and Smiths Station.

The polls open at 7:00 a.m. and will close at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday night.

Voters can finding their polling place on the Alabama Secretary of State's website.

Valid photo ID is required to participate in any Alabama election. That includes:

• Alabama driver's license (not expired or expired less than 60 days)

• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency digital driver's license

• Alabama Non-Driver ID (not expired or expired less than 60 days)

• Alabama Photo Voter ID card

• State-issued ID (Alabama or any other state)

• Federal-issued ID

• U.S. Passport

• Employee ID from the federal government; state of Alabama; county; municipality, board or other entity of Alabama

• Student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools)

• Digital student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states

• Military ID

• Tribal ID

Kristin Nelson is campaigning for income tax reform. She points out that Alabama's current state tax rates and income thresholds are locked by a 1933 constitutional amendment, though deductions can be changed by statute.

Garrett Dixon's platform focuses on recruiting "good paying" jobs to the district, improving infrastructure, and supporting public schools.

According to campaign finance records, Dixon has raised over $93,000 and spent about $92,600, with roughly two-thirds of his donations coming from Political Action Committees (PACs). He had nearly $7,000 on hand before the special election cycle began. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth (R) has contributed $10,000 to his campaign.

Nelson has raised over $60,000 and spent almost $51,000 since the start of the special election in August. She began the cycle with about $11,000 on hand, with most of her donations coming from individual donors and businesses.

District 38 is a strong Republicans district. In the 2022 general election, Debbie Wood won nearly 90% of the vote against Libertarian Charles Temm Jr. In 2018, Wood secured about 70% against Democrat Brian McGee.

The winner of Tuesday's Republican runoff will face Democratic nominee Hazel Floyd. Floyd is a 21 year old unemployed recent college student.

The special general election will be held on February 3.

Whomever wins will only serve the remainder of Woods's unexpired term and will have to face voters again on May 19.