Politics & Government
Crowded Field For House District 16 Race As Qualifying Closes
Six Republicans and one Democrat have qualified to appear on the primary ballots this fall for the vacant House District 16 seat.
TUSCALOOSA, AL — Qualifying closed Tuesday for the upcoming special election to fill the now-vacant House District 16 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives, which covers parts of Fayette, Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties.
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In total, six Republican candidates and one Democrat met the necessary requirements to appear on the party primary ballots on Sept. 26. If necessary, a runoff will be held on Oct. 24, with the General Election scheduled for Jan. 9, 2024.
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The lone Democrat on the ballot and presumed nominee for the General Election will be longtime Fayette County Commissioner "Big" John Underwood, who is a retired Fayette County Sheriff's deputy with three decades of public service experience.
Here's a quick look at the GOP candidates:
Bryan Brinyark — Attorney from Northport, who also serves a as a reserve municipal court judge for the City of Tuscaloosa and as the municipal court judge for the cities of Brent and Centreville, along with the Town of Woodstock.
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Brad Cox — Fayette County commissioner and employed by Alabama One Credit Union as a business development officer.
Greg Fanin — Business Unit Leader at Pemco Aeroplex in Birmingham.
Greg Lowery — Studio musician, songwriter, keyboardist for Christian and country music acts.
Floyd "JR" Rogers, Jr. — Associate pastor at Peaceful Rest Baptist Church in Fayette
Mike Simpson — Hueytown native and attorney who ran for the House District 16 seat in 2018 and was defeated by incumbent Kyle South in the GOP Primary.
As Patch previously reported, State Rep. Kyle South, a Republican from Fayette, stepped down from his seat at the end of the last regular legislative session to become the next president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.
The winner of the Jan. 9 General Election will serve out the remainder of South's unexpired term, which will be up again for election in November 2026.
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