Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in North Alabama
Race to watch
House District 10 will be one to keep an eye on in the upcoming elections. You might remember Democrat Marilyn Lands won the seat in a 2024 special election. Now, Republican businessman Aaron Thomas has declared his candidacy to challenge Lands. It’s a seat the GOP wants back badly, and party leaders are expected to put both their support and their money behind him. Meanwhile, Democrats say the district is solidly Lands’ and believe her base will show up again when it counts. Looks like we’ll soon find out if Lands’ special election win was “luck” or lasting power.
Ring, ring
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong might have called your phone last night for one of his TeleTownHalls even though the government is shut down. Strong (R-Huntsville) answered several calls about the shutdown and its effect in North Alabama. He reassured local Social Security recipients that their benefits would not be affected. He also addressed rumors that federal employees would not receive back pay for the shutdown and assured them that back pay would be paid once the government reopens.
Madison County building boom?
Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon gave his yearly State of the County address to a packed house filled with members of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce this week and gave an update on county projects. He updated the crowd on the county’s $120 million, 10-year road program as well as the latest news on the new courthouse. But news was made when he revealed that Madison County would need a major addition to the County Jail in the next couple of years to keep up with the growth of the community. The jail is truly a “metro” project that houses inmates from every city and town in Madison County as well as county inmates.
Dethroning the Kling?
The immovable force that is Huntsville City Councilman Bill Kling has a new challenger. Local attorney Will Pylant has officially announced his candidacy for District 4 this week. King Kling has represented the district since 1988, and though plenty have tried to take his seat, he’s proved nearly impossible to budge. Supporters say Pylant could be the one to finally pull off what others couldn’t. But in District 4, where Kling’s name and door-to-door reputation run deep, toppling the council’s longest-serving member is no easy feat.