PHOTO: Incumbent Democrats DeWitt Jackson (County Commission, District 4) and Pam Simpson (DeKalb County Circuit Clerk) submit their qualifying paperwork. Susan Scott Hayes submitted her paperwork to challenge incumbent Republican Ronnie Osborn for Probate Judge. Jackson, Simpson, and Hayes are pictured with DeKalb County Democratic Party Chairman Ben Johnson. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)
By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — Yesterday (January 13, 2018) DeKalb County Democrats met with County Party Chairman Ben Johnson to begin the 2018 Campaign season.
Several candidates qualified, and it was announced that Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox (Democratic Candidate for Governor in 2018) will be speaking at the Fyffe Community Center (where Doug Jones spoke in November) on February 13th. (More on this story later)
For local Democrats, qualifying was opened yesterday and will continue until February 9. At the meeting, incumbent Circuit Clerk Pam Bailey Simpson submitted her paperwork with Johnson to run for re-election in 2018. Simpson will also be going to Montgomery to submit her qualification paperwork with the Alabama Democratic Party to finish the process.
Incumbent District 4 County Commissioner DeWitt Jackson submitted his paperwork to run for re-
election and Fort Payne Attorney Susan Scott Hayes submitted her paperwork to run against incumbent Republican Probate Judge Ronnie Osborn.
At the meeting, Jackson stood up first: "I'm DeWitt Jackson, and I'm asking for your blessing to be your nominee to run for election again this fall for County Commissioner, District 4."
After the meeting, Jackson said, "I'd like to thank all the people of DeKalb County for allowing me to serve. It's been an honor. I hope that my actions have proved that I do care about the people I serve."
Next, Simpson stood up and introduced herself.
"I'm Pam Simpson, I am your Circuit Clerk, and I'm going to be running again as a Democrat on the ticket for Circuit Clerk. I have a lot of experience. I've been in that office for over 40 years," said Simpson.
"I think with the slate of candidates on the other side... that the people in the county needs somebody who knows what's going on in that office, and that's my reason for running. Plus I love to serve. I consider myself a public servant. I would like for you all to consider me, for a candidate on the ticket," concluded Simpson.
Hayes then stood up and handed in her paperwork to run for Probate Judge: "Hello, my name is Susan Scott Hayes. I'm a local attorney here in Fort Payne. Born and raised here Fort Payne... And I would like to be a candidate for Probate Judge."
"My dad is Mac Scott. My grandfather, Charlie Scott was the Mayor in Fort Payne back in 1915. So we've been here a long time and we have a lot of history here," said Hayes.
All three candidates were approved by the committee after addressing the group.
Like the local Republicans, the Democrats will have until February 9th to submit the qualifying paperwork.
Other potential candidates for office were discussed outside of the meeting, so we may have some surprises in the coming weeks. We'll update when we confirm more qualify.
