South Alabamian

Williams wins House Seat 65 race

First GOP candidate to win local race in predominately democratic region



Williams

Williams

By Evan Carden
SA Editor

Republican candidate Nick Williams edged Gloria Dolbare to win Alabama House Seat 65 in a special election, Tuesday.

The special election had been called for by Gov. Bob Riley to fill the seat that was left empty by the death of Rep. Jeff Dolbare (D-Bigbee). His widow had vied to fill the slot on the Democratic ticket, attaining the party’s nomination after Jackson funeral home owner Wayne Lathan was disqualified when he failed to file the proper campaign finance forms on time. Lathan later waged a write-in campaign, pledging support to neither party.

While Dolbare was backed by the Alabama Education Association (AEA), Williams and Lathan touted this as a primary reason to elect either of them instead.

Tuesday night the unofficial returns showed Williams with 38 percent of the vote to Dolbare’s 33 percent. Lathan was a close third with 29 percent, claiming the Clarke County portion of the district.

Poll workers at the National Guard Armory in Jackson began counting votes shortly after the polls closed at 7 p.m., Tuesday. L-R: Sue Thomas, Lucille Carpenter, Ruby Baugh, Marilyn Parker and Poll Inspector Grady Goodman.        (SA photo by Evan Carden)

Poll workers at the National Guard Armory in Jackson began counting votes shortly after the polls closed at 7 p.m., Tuesday. L-R: Sue Thomas, Lucille Carpenter, Ruby Baugh, Marilyn Parker and Poll Inspector Grady Goodman. (SA photo by Evan Carden)

The district encompasses all of Washington County and portions of Clarke and Choctaw counties. Unofficial results showed that in Washington County, Williams took 1,393 votes to Dolbare’s 1,172. Lathan tallied 979 of the 1,021 write-in votes.

In Choctaw County, Williams edged Dolbare with 738 votes to 552. Lathan was a distant third with 188 votes.

In Clarke County, Lathan took the lead with 833 votes. Dolbare was second with 550 and Williams was close behind with 526.

After winning the election, the newly elected Williams said he was honored to not only be elected but to also be the first Republican to hold the district’s post. He said he looks forward to serving the district and the state and will work not only for those who voted for him but to earn the trust of those who voted for others in the election as well.

The defeat is a blow to the Democratic Party and to the Alabama Education Associa-tion.

Jeff Dolbare, a retired educator and former organizer for the teacher union, was a strong advocate for education and AEA goals in the Alabama Legislature.

His widow is also a teacher and she had promised to continue her husband’s support.

AEA was a substantial contributor to Dolbare’s campaign.

Likewise, the Alabama Republican Party was a big backer of Williams and in the final days of the campaign some tough direct mail pieces were distributed in the district.

Williams begins his shortened term immediately. He will serve the remaining two years of Jeff Dolbare’s term and will have to run again in 2006.

Legislators earn $30,400 annually, plus expenses for any committee work while the Legislature is not in session.

The Legislature will convene for its annual session next month.


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