By Associated Press
Hunstville, AL – Republicans have picked up another seat in the Alabama House.
Republican businessman Phil Williams defeated Democrat Jenny Askins in a special election for the House District 6 seat in Madison County on Tuesday.
Williams carried 60 percent of the vote and will replace Democratic Rep. Sue Schmitz. She was automatically removed from office after being convicted on federal fraud charges earlier this year.
It was the GOP's second legislative victory of the summer in Huntsville. First-time Republican candidate Paul Sanford defeated a Democrat earlier this summer in a special election to replace Parker Griffith, a Democrat who was elected to Congress.
Republicans now hold 44 seats in Alabama's 105-member House.