Battle Lines drawn as Qualifying deadline passes

Some of Calhoun county's most powerful political figures found themselves facing challenges from both inside and outside their party as election qualifying ended Friday afternoon. Mike Rogers has represented Alabama's Third District for more than a decade and in the past two election cycles strolled to victory with double-digit leads over poorly-funded Democratic opponents.  Friday found Rogers facing not only a Democrat but a challenger for the Republican nomination.  Phenix City resident Jesse T. Smith a 14-year Army veteran, qualified as a Democrat in the race this week. Smith said he decided to run for Congress out of frustration when Rogers didn't help him correct a problem with his disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.  He said he has traveled the district talking to other veterans, and has heard similar stories of frustration.  Rogers also faces a primary challenge from Thomas Casson, a Republican who qualified in the race Friday.   State Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston, who has been the president pro tem since the Republicans won both houses in 2010, also faces a dual challenge.  Anniston lawyer Taylor Stewart qualified to run a Democrat against Marsh on Wednesday. Stewart cited concerns about the lack of jobs and poor health care outcomes in Anniston as his reasons for running.  Steve Guede, an activist with the tea party group Rainy Day Patriots, qualified to run against Marsh in the Republican primary.   In other local races  In House District 29, Rep. Becky Nordgren, R-Gadsden, will face Democratic Etowah County coroner Michael Gladden in November.  In Senate District 13, Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, will battle Cleburne County Republican Party chairman Tim Sprayberry in the primary, and the winner will face Democrat Darrell Turner in the general election.   In Senate District 11. Sen. Jerry Fielding, R-Sylacauga, and Rep. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, will square off for the chance to face Democrat Ron Crumpton in the general election.  Ohatchee resident Lindsay Ford qualified to run in the primary against Alexandria resident Ted Copland for the District 40 House seat, with the winner going on to challenge incumbent K.L. Brown, R-Jacksonville, in the general election. In District 35, Democrat Stephanie Engle qualified in a race that had been a primary match-up between incumbent Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, and fellow Republican Steve Dean.

Two local lawmakers may get another term without an election. Records show No opponents have qualified to run against  Rep. Randy Wood, R-Saks, or Rep. Barbara Boyd, D-Anniston.

In Etowah county only four incumbents failed to draw opposition in either the primary or general election.  Independent candidates have until June 3, the date of the Democratic and Republican primaries, to qualify.  Etowah county Revenue Commissioner Linda Barrett-Vaughan, a Democrat, is unopposed in her bid for a second term as is Carolyn Parker, a Democrat who is seeking her second term on the Etowah County Commission.  Two members of the Etowah County Board of Education, Scarlett Rains Farley in Place 2 and Todd Hindsman in Place 3, both Republicans, did not draw opposition.  The third board of education seat on the ballot this year will see Place 1 incumbent Tim Womack face Phillip Stone in the Republican primary. No Democrat qualified for the seat.  Other Republican races on the June 3 primary are incumbent Sheriff Todd Entrekin, who drew challenger Russell A. Jones; and House District 30, where incumbent Rep. Mack Butler faces Ashville Mayor Robert McKay. No Democrat qualified.  Three candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for County Commission District 4 — incumbent Jeff Overstreet, Lana Gaskin Bellew and Randall Green. No Democrat qualified for that spot.  The lone Democratic primary race will be for coroner where Robin Grant faces Brandon Martin. The Democratic nominee will face Republican Michael Head, who ran four years ago.  The race does not have an incumbent as Coroner Michael Gladden, a Democrat, qualified for House District 29 and will face incumbent Republican Rep. Becky Nordgren.