A voter’s guide to the House District 27 runoff

Voters in Marshall County go to the polls Tuesday to select a new state representative.

Former secretary of Early Childhood Education Jeana Ross and Arab City Councilman Alan Miller will compete for the party nomination in House District 27.

With no Democratic candidate, the candidate with the most votes Tuesday will become the representative for House District 27. 

When do polls open?

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Where do I find my polling place?

The Alabama Secretary of State’s website allows you to check voter registration and the location of your polling place. You can find it here.

What do I need to vote?

Voters must present a valid photo ID before voting. Valid forms of ID include:

• Alabama driver’s license (not expired or expired less than 60 days)
• Alabama Law Enforcement Agency digital driver’s license
• Alabama Non-Driver ID (not expired or expired less than 60 days)
• Alabama Photo Voter ID card
• State-issued ID (Alabama or any other state)
• Federal-issued ID
• U.S. Passport
• Employee ID from the federal government; state of Alabama; county; municipality, board or other entity of Alabama
• Student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools)
• Digital student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools)
• Military ID
• Tribal ID

Where is the district located?

House District 27 covers most of Marshall County, with Arab, Guntersville, Grant and a portion of Albertville in the district.

How did the seat become vacant?

Former Rep. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, won an election in January to represent Senate District 9, previously represented by former Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield, R-Arab. Scofield left the Senate in November to join the Business Council of Alabama after about 13 years in the Alabama Legislature.

Does the seat have a partisan lean?

The seat is solidly Republican. Kitchens got 84% of the vote in the 2018 election and 89% of the vote in 2022.

What issues dominate the race?

Ross and Miller both emphasized their conservative ideologies but suggested they would take different approaches in the Legislature. Miller described himself as a fiscal conservative, citing a background in finance, while Ross said she is concerned with social issues, such as addressing poor mental health access in the district and the need to provide better support to disabled individuals after they turn 21.

Miller, an Arab councilman, discussed his focus on local infrastructure, including water and sewage upgrades and community beautification projects. He cited a vote to upgrade Arab City Park, despite cost concerns, which he now views as a successful investment that attracts crowds and growth.

Ross spoke of addressing national concerns, such as inflation, at a state level, advocating for “creative conservative policies” to impact local change.

Both candidates oppose gambling. Miller said he was against a comprehensive gambling package, citing constituents’ fears and concerns about corruption and crime. Ross said she personally disapproved of gambling, citing potential negative impacts on disadvantaged groups, but said she would reserve judgment on legislative gambling packages.

Immigration also emerged as an issue. Miller voiced concerns about the local impact of unauthorized immigration on local services. He proposed giving law enforcement the ability to keep immigrants incarcerated instead of deported, but said that there is only so much the state can do to address migration at the U.S.-Mexico border. Miller brought up immigration when asked about constituent concerns while Ross did not bring it up in her interview as a concern.

Candidates also discussed education in the district and state. Ross said she wants a high-quality education for all children, regardless of the type of school,saying  it’s important to close the achievement gap and ensure equal access to educational opportunities. Both Ross and Miller said they oppose taking funding away from public schools, with Ross saying they can find “creative solutions” going forward. Miller is concerned about access to school options in the district. He said that families would probably have to travel out of the district to take advantage of the Education Savings Accounts unless they homeschool.

What happens after today?

The candidate who gets the most votes will become the state representative for House District 27.

Will the results alter control of the Legislature?

No. Republicans currently hold 75 of the 105 seats in the lower chamber and 27 of the 35 seats in the upper chamber.

Alan Miller

Age: 62

Residence: Arab

Occupation: Retired, banking management

Education: B.A., Psychology, Auburn University, 1985; M.B.A., Finance, Florida State University, 1992.

Party: Republican

Previous political experience: Arab City Council, 2014-2016; 2020 – present

Fundraising: Miller has raised $30,929, including $10,000 he loaned the campaign, and spent $18,441. He had $12,488 on hand as of April 19.

Jeana Ross

Age: 69

Residence: Guntersville

Occupation: Education consultant, former secretary of Early Childhood Education

Education: B.S., Early Childhood Education, University of Alabama in Birmingham, 1975; M.A., Educational Leadership, University of Alabama, 2000.

Party: Republican

Previous political experience: First time candidate

Fundraising: Ross has raised $182,495, including $11,234 she loaned the campaign and $113,500 in PAC donations. She spent $161,694 and had $15,434 on hand as of April 29.