State Rep. Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville) officially kicked off her re-election campaign for Alabama House District 10 this week, telling supporters she is seeking another term to continue work on maternal health, mental health initiatives and legislation aimed at increasing voter engagement.
Lands, a Democrat who flipped the north Alabama seat in a 2024 special election, made the announcement at Huntsville Botanical Garden, calling the district “the honor of my life to serve” and urging supporters to help her continue the work she has started in Montgomery.
“We have so much more important work to do for this district and for the people of Alabama,” Lands said. “I promise you I will work tirelessly to champion the issues that matter most to Alabama families.”
State Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville), who represents House District 19 and introduced Lands at the event, praised her colleague’s leadership and ability to turn ideas into action.
“If there is an issue and there is not a committee to address it, Marilyn will form that committee,” Hall said. “She knows how to bring people together and make sure the issues that matter to this district are being addressed.”
Lands has made maternal health a central focus of her first term. During the 2025 legislative session, she sponsored the Alabama Maternal Healthcare Act, which passed unanimously in both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey.
The law allows pregnant women to receive prenatal care while awaiting Medicaid approval, addressing gaps that advocates say contribute to Alabama’s high maternal and infant mortality rates.
“Every mother deserves safe, quality care and every child deserves the best possible start in life,” Lands said. “Alabama moms and families deserve better, and this was an important step forward.”
Lands said she plans to build on that work in the upcoming session, noting she has prefiled additional legislation aimed at improving maternal and infant outcomes, including bills related to midwifery, doula care and postpartum mental health support.
She has also prefiled House Bill 14, which would establish a citizen led ballot initiative process in Alabama. Lands said the proposal is designed to increase voter engagement and give residents a greater voice in shaping state policy.
“Too many times I hear from voters about issues that are overwhelmingly popular but never even get a hearing,” Lands said. “This bill would put power back in the hands of the people where it belongs.”
Lands, who has lived in District 10 for nearly 30 years, said affordability, access to health care, mental health services and infrastructure remain top concerns for constituents as north Alabama continues to grow. She said she plans to continue pushing for policies that address rising costs, road congestion and community safety.
The race is expected to draw statewide attention again after Lands’ win in 2024, when she became the first Democrat to hold the seat in decades.
“This victory was not just about me,” Lands said. “It was about the values we share and the future we want to build for Alabama. And with your support, we will do it again.”
Aaron Thomas, a political newcomer and Madison business owner, announced his candidacy for the Alabama House of Representatives District 10 seat in October.
Lands also announced a volunteer kickoff event is scheduled for Saturday, January 31. More information about the campaign is available at marilynlands.com.
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