Gulf Shores & Orange Beach mayors both face opposition in Aug. 25 elections
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach mayors both face opposition in Aug. 25 elections
For the first time since they were elected by citizens in their respective cities back in 2008, both Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft (from John E. Bays, Jr.) and Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon (from Dan Hayes) face opposition in municipal elections scheduled Aug. 25.
The last time Kennon faced opposition was in 2008 when he defeated Larry Alexander in a runoff to win his first term. Iris Ethridge also ran for mayor in 2008.
Craft, already on city council, beat incumbant Billy Duke that year.
In addition, both women serving on the Orange Beach City Council, Annette Mitchell (from Joe Cardwell) and Joni Blalock (from Joe Fierro) face opposition on Aug. 25.
Jeff Boyd, Jerry Johnson and Jeff Silvers in Orange Beach and Philip Harris in Gulf Shores are unopposed and have already been sworn in two serve four year terms.
Four years ago, the only competition for a seat on either city’s city council was between Kevin Corcoran and Gary Sinak for the retiring Carolyn Doughty’s place 2 seat. Sinak beat Corcoran by just 28 votes (535 to 507).
The last contested election in Orange Beach was back in 2012 when Boyd defeated incumbent Brett Holk and Johnson defeated incumbent Pattisue Simpson.
There are multiple candidates challenging three current city council members in Gulf Shores. If candidates in those races do not receive 50 percent of the vote, a run-off election will be held on Oct. 7.
Bill Coyne and Edward L. Rease are challenging incumbent Joe Garris. Nan Hedgspeth and Michelle Stancil are challenging Sinak; and Tim Clayborn and Angie Swiger are challenging incumbent Jason Dyken.
In addition, Cheryl Connell is challenging Steve Jones for his City Council spot in Gulf Shores.
Gulf Shores voters north of the Intracoastal Canal vote at the Cultural Center on County Road 6. Residents living south of the Intracoastal vote at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center.
Absentee ballots can be mailed or hand-delivered to City Clerk Wanda Parris at 203 Clubhouse Dr. or mailed to Box 299, Gulf Shores, Al 36547. Absentee ballots are available online at alabamavotes.gov. Absentee applications must be received by Thursday, Aug. 20.
Foley
Candidates for the City of Foley municipal election are as follows: For mayor, Aaron D. Bika and Ralph G. Hellmich; District 1, Barry Hughes and J. Wayne Trawick (Incumbent); District 2, Vera J. Quaites (Incumbent and unopposed); District 3, Richard Dayton and Ralph Eastburn; District 4, C. Rick Blackwell (Incumbent and unopposed); District 5, Charles Ebert, III (Incumbent and unopposed). Voting is at the Foley Sports Tourism Events Center, located at 1001 E. Pride Blvd, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Robertsdale
In Robertsdale, Mayor Charles Murphy is facing challenges from Tim Brown and Roger Booth. Place 1 incumbant Joe Kitchens will face Jim Giles; Place 2 incumbent Sue Cooper faces Lonnie Ard; Place 4 incumbant Brent Kendrick faces Russell Johnson. Place 3’s Ruthie Campbell and Place 5’s Paul Hollingsworth have no opposition.
Silverhill
In Silverhill, Mayor Jared Lyles and Town Council members Bert Jones, Steve Brooks, Gerald Ardoin, Tonie Norden and Wayne Gruenloh are unopposed.
Summerdale
Summerdale Mayor David Wilson and Town Council members Myles Bishop, Normal Giles, Mary Carolyn McDaniel, Travis Townsend and Cheryl Stewart face no opposition.
Loxley
In Loxley, three candidates have entered the race for the Place 4 Town Council seat held by incumbant Chris McCall. They are Philip Dembowski, Beth Lovell and Randy Smith. Mayor Richard Teal and Town Council members Richard Lee Wilson, Jeffrey T. Knight, Katherine Breeden and Kasey Childress are unopposed.