Southern Torch has learned through multiple sources that Candidate for District 8 State Senate John Blackwell is dropping out of the race to seek the open seat of retiring U.S. Congressman Spencer Bachus.
John Blackwell is the father of current State Senator Slade Blackwell. Early speculation was that Senator Slade Blackwell would be the one seeking the Congressional seat, but he has quelled those rumors and maintained that he will be seeking re-election to the Alabama State Legislature.
This leaves three candidates seeking the Republican nomination for State Senate District 8:
- Senator Shadrack McGill (Woodville)
- Representative Todd Greeson (Ider)
- Steve Livingston (Scottsboro)
Currently, Horace Clemmons (Paint Rock) is the only Democrat to announce a bid for the District 8 Senate seat.
