By Alabama Public Radio
Florence, AL – William Smith is the Republican nominee for the District One House seat. He won yesterday's special election by defeating John Hargett in the Republican primary. Smith won 79 percent of the vote in an election that didn't have a large turnout. He'll now face Democrat Tammy Irons in a March 21 special election. Smith also is campaigning against history. A Republican candidate has never been elected to the District One House seat. Smith, however, says he feels confident he will be the first. The seat is vacant because Representative Nelson Starkey died in December after an extended illness.