Van Smith wins GOP nod for vacant Alabama House seat

Republican voters in Alabama House District 42 in Chilton and Autauga counties have nominated Van Smith to fill the seat vacated by the death of Rep. Jimmy Martin earlier this year, according to a news release from the state Republican Party.

Smith received 2,237 votes in Tuesday’s primary, 57 percent.

Jimmie Hardee finished second with 686 votes, 17 percent. Allen Caton got 622 votes, 16 percent, and Shannon Welch got 390 votes, 10 percent.

Smith faces Democratic nominee Kenneth Allison Sr., in the special general election on Nov. 5. Allison was unopposed in his party.

Martin, a Republican from Clanton, died of cancer in May. He had served in the House for 17 years.

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