First-Time Candidate Faces Tuscaloosa Councilman in Tuesday Special Election for State House Seat

An incumbent Tuscaloosa City Councilman will face a political newcomer this Tuesday in a special election for an open seat in the Alabama House of Representatives.

As the Thread previously reported, Rep. Cynthia Almond of House District 63 left her office last year after Governor Kay Ivey appointed her to lead the Alabama Public Service Commission, which oversees utility companies in the state.

With the seat vacant, Ivey set a special election for House District 63 for this Tuesday, January 13th.

The district includes a portion of Tuscaloosa County predominantly north of the river around Lakes Tuscaloosa, Nicol, and Harris, but also includes the University of Alabama campus and nearby parts of the city.

As with all elections, polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m.

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A single candidate emerged from both major parties, eliminating the need for any primary races and setting up a contest between Republican Norman Crow and Democrat Judith Taylor.

NORMAN CROW

Crow represents District 3 on the Tuscaloosa City Council - a seat Almond herself held for four terms before leaving municipal politics for the role in Montgomery. He also served a single term on the city school board from 2013 - 2017.

Outside of political life, Crow is a University of Alabama alumnus who owned and operated his own transportation business before becoming a real estate agent in Tuscaloosa. He is married with three children.

"Entering the race for House District 63 was bittersweet for me because I've loved being on the city council, but this is a huge opportunity," Crow told the Thread. "I feel like I'm well-positioned to serve our entire district. I grew up in Northport, I've been the District 3 councilperson for five years, I know a lot about what happens in the district, a lot about the university's role in it, and I believe I am ready to represent our city on a higher level."

He said he would prioritize keeping the regional economy strong and incentivizing job creators to come here, supporting UA and regional colleges, and improving how the state handles its ongoing mental health crisis.

"I want to make sure businesses in our community have the tools they need to continue to succeed and grow, because a growing economy in Tuscaloosa affects everything in Tuscaloosa," Crow said. "We're in a good spot right now, and I think that we need to make sure we're not doing anything in Montgomery that's going to hurt our economy here at home."

Crow urged the residents of House District 63 to go vote on Tuesday - to learn where their polling places are and go cast a ballot, as turnout in special elections is generally very small.

If Crow wins the seat in Montgomery, another special election will be required to fill his then-vacant city council seat.

JUDITH TAYLOR

The Democratic candidate, Judith Taylor, is a first-time office seeker who told the Alabama Reflector last year that she was running to prevent a Republican from winning the office unopposed.

Her campaign site calls Taylor a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin who has spent decades pursuing progressive causes, including civil rights marches and community organization.

She is married to James Taylor, and credited him in a statement for keeping her going

“No matter what role I’m in, whether I’m helping a neighbor, mentoring a student, or advocating for justice, my friends and husband remind me who I’m doing it for,” Taylor said on her site. “They are my anchor and my inspiration.”

In her summer interview with the Reflector, Taylor said her legislative priorities would include combating poverty and hunger and enhancing public education. Her site also calls for expanding Medicaid and advocating for choice and dignity in women's health.

The election for the Alabama House of Representatives District 63 seat is Tuesday, January 13th. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Learn more and find your polling place at the Alabama Secretary of State's website here.

For coverage of the results on Tuesday and more local news from West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.