Jesse Battles is challenging Republican incumbent Andrew Jones

August 7, 2026 - ATTALLA, Ala. - Former Republican Jesse Battles is continuing his campaign for Alabama District 10 which includes Etowah, Cherokee, and part of Dekalb County as an independent.

Battles had qualified to run in the May Republican primary along with incumbent Senator Andrew Jones (R-Centre) and Alabama Library Board member Amy Minton, but was removed from the GOP ballot by the 21-member Alabama Republican Steering Committee. Undaunted, Battles qualified to run for SD10 as an independent.

Battles has been active on both the campaign trail and on social media.

"I must be living in my opponent's head rent free," Battles wrote on social media. "You asked, "When and where are the Independent candidates meeting?" I'm out working in Northeast Alabama every day, showing up in our communities, listening to voters, and having conversations with the people who actually decide this election."

Sen. Andrew Jones is in his second term representing District 10.

"And, it's interesting to hear that question coming from you," Battles said. "After all, I was the Republican candidate who was in position to win this race until you used your establishment ties to get me removed from the primary ballot. But here's the thing: you didn't remove me from this race. You only made this campaign stronger. The people of District 10 are smart enough to see through your fear mongering tactics and political games."

"While you're spending time with the political establishment in Montgomery and rubbing elbows with out-of-state politicians, I'll keep standing with the hardworking people of Northeast Alabama who are tired of being ignored by insiders. I'll see you on the campaign trail."

Battles was removed from the GOP ballot because he worked for the campaign of independent candidate for Senate District 10 Craig Ford (now the Mayor of Gadsden) in 2018 against Jones running for an open seat.

While Battles was not at the Republican state executive committee meeting in Montgomery this weekend, this campaign was an unofficial topic of discussion.

Republican Party Chairman Scott Stadthagen announced that state executive committee member Jaxon Phillips (representing St. Clair County) had resigned ahead of the meeting. Phillips had been the subject of a vicious email campaigning demanding that he be removed from the committee because he was working as press secretary and campaign consultant for Battles. Phillips resigned rather than face a floor challenge of his ALGOP qualifications to serve.

Battles is a native of Etowah County. He has degrees from Gadsden State Community College and Jacksonville State University. He is a former Chairman of the Jacksonville State College Republicans. Battles worked for the Alabama's Secretary of State's office. He now lives in Attalla with his wife, Melissa and their young daughter. There he runs a small business and a family farm. Battles has served as President of the Gadsden Rotary Club, is an active member of the Etowah County Republican Party, a member of the Gadsden-Etowah Chamber of Commerce, and contributes his leadership on multiple local boards, including the Gadsden-Etowah Industrial Development Authority.

Sen. Jones narrowly defeated Minton 53.8% to 46.2% in the GOP primary.

There is no Democratic candidate running in SD10 so the November general election is between Battles and Jones.

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