St. Clair Commission Chairman Race Decided by 72 Votes as School Taxes Fail Across Central Alabama

Tuesday’s primary election drew voters to polls in Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chilton, Coosa, Cullman, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Marion and Pickens counties. Contests included sheriff, commission, school board and local tax measures. The night showed a pattern of tight margins and a willingness to say no to new levies.

In St. Clair County, David Evans defeated incumbent Stan Batemon for commission chairman with a 72‑vote margin. Walker County voters turned down both school tax proposals, with about 71 % opposed and 29 % in favor. In Shelby County, Andrew Gunn won the schools superintendent race over Joel Dixon by fewer than 400 votes.

The narrow victories indicate that incumbent advantage is eroding in suburban commissions while tax resistance remains strong in Walker County. The Shelby superintendent contest, decided by a slim margin, reflects voter appetite for change in education leadership. Several counties now face runoff elections that could shift control of commissions and school boards. Watch for the runoff elections scheduled later this month, which will determine whether these trends hold or reverse.