By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Tammy Irons became the newest member of the Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday. She's an attorney from Florence and won election to the House District One seat as a Democrat. Irons defeated Republican William Smith in a special election last week. The seat was open because former Representative Nelson Starkey died in December. Irons says one of her priorities will be to pass legislation to protect the Tennessee River in Lauderdale County. She says she wants to keep the water from being diverted for use in other areas.