By Associated Press
Jacksonville, AL – Voters are braving frigid temperatures to go to the polls to begin the process of electing a new legislator in House District 40 in Calhoun County.
Five candidates are competing in Tuesday's Republican Primary. The winner will face the Democratic Party candidate, Jacksonville school teacher Ricky Whaley, and independent Carol Hagan in the general election to fill the seat vacated by the death of Democratic state Rep. Lea Fite.
Candidates for the Republican nomination include funeral home owner K.L. Brown of Jacksonville, Anniston attorney Debra Jones, Jacksonville State University professor Bill Lester, Jacksonville business owner and former legislator Tom Shelton and Jay Dill. Dill works for a family-owned Jacksonville business.
If needed, the Republican runoff will be Feb. 16 and the general election March 30.