Qualifying underway for primary elections

WINSTON COUNTY - Qualifying began Monday, Jan. 5, in preparation for the May 19 primary elections, which will feature such county offices as sheriff, revenue commissioner, both districts of the  county commission, as well as several state and  federal offices.
Qualifying will continue until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, for offices on the primary election ballot, according to Greg Farris, vice-chairman of the Winston County Republican Party. 

Those seeking to qualify for Republican offices on the ballot can visit the Alabama Secretary of State’s website, where they can complete the required forms and even pay their qualifying fee online, Farris explained.
Those seeking to qualify in person can go to the Winston County Courthouse in Double Springs each Friday through January 23, at 9 a.m., and see Republican Party Chairman Jerry Mobley to obtain the forms and Party Treasurer Sherry Hyche to pay qualifying fees, Farris stated.
Those wishing to qualify on the Republican ballot can also do so at the monthly meeting of the party on Monday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Winston County Courthouse, Farris confirmed.
Qualifying fees will vary, but will be based on two percent of the annual salary of the office being sought or a maximum fee of $600, whichever is less, according to a resolution approved by the Republican party, Farris said.
State offices to be listed on the May 19 Republican primary ballot include:  Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry and all State Legislators.
Other offices on the ballot will include Associate Justice of the Supreme Court places 7 and 8, Court of Criminal Appeals, places 4 and 5, Court of Civil Appeals places 4 and 5 and Public Service Commissioner places 1 and 2.
Also on the ballot are Circuit Court Judge, 25th Judicial Circuit for both Winston and Marion counties, as well as U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative serving the 4th Congressional District.
Farris emphasized that, although county commissioner districts 1 and 2 are on the ballot, the commission chairman will not be on the May ballot, with that seat having been filled in the last primary election.
“Chairman is offset from the other two commissioners,” Farris noted. 
The county offices of probate judge and circuit clerk also will not be on the May 19, ballot, having been on the previous primary ballot two years ago, election officials explained.
Farris emphasized the May 19, primary marks a very pivotal election for both county and state offices and should be taken seriously, with voting encouraged.
“Obviously, we’re going to choose the next governor of the state for the next four years,” Farris emphasized. “I think that is terribly important.
“When you boil it down to our county, the sheriff’s election is obviously a very important election for us,” Farris continued.
“Our county commissioners are always very important elections for us.  All of our county offices, they directly affect us,” Farris said. “Some of (the state offices) the average person really doesn’t deal with on a day-to-day basis.
“I would say the governor is the most prominent person in the state, that the average person out here would understand and know,” Farris continued. “But most everybody knows your local offices.”

James Kinsman, now-former chairman of the Winston County Democratic Party, noted, “As of December 31, 2025, nobody had approached and come forward to say they were interested in running.
“I have no personal knowledge of any person or persons interested in running as a Democrat in Winston County,” Kinsman confirmed.
Those who decide they do want to run on the Democrat ticket for the Winston County primary election should contact the Alabama Democratic Party in Montgomery and follow procedures there, Kinsman added.
“As of right now, this moment, we do not have a Democratic county committee,” Kinsman said, noting he resigned as Winston County Democratic Party chairman effective January 1.