Garrett Dixon and Kristin Nelson will face off in a special GOP primary runoff election on Nov. 18. The winner of the runoff will face Democratic candidate Hazel Floyd on Feb. 3, 2026. (photos courtesy of candidates; graphic by Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
Two Republican candidates for an east Alabama state House district appear to be headed to a runoff for their party’s nomination.
Kristin Nelson received 1,226 (46.69%) votes in Tuesday’s GOP primary for House District 38, according to unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office. Garrett Dixon received 874 (33.28%) votes. Micah Messer, who ran for the seat in 2022, got 526 (20.03%) votes.
The Secretary of State’s Office reported 6.85% turnout with 2,627 votes cast.
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Nelson and Dixon will face off in a special primary runoff on Nov. 18. Messages seeking comment from Dixon was left Tuesday evening.
Nelson said she was pleasantly surprised by the turnout.
“I feel good about it and where we landed tonight. We knew that this was a possibility with three people being in the race, and so we’re just rolling up our sleeves a little bit tighter and working a little bit harder,” Nelson said in an interview Tuesday night.
Nelson campaigned for school resource officers in all schools and a flat state income tax rate, which can only be done through a constitutional amendment. The 2-5% rate is set by a 1933 constitutional amendment.
In a statement on Dixon’s campaign website, the cotton and peanut farmer said he understood the issues that rural Alabamians face.
According to campaign finance records, Dixon has raised more than $55,000 and spent almost $41,000. About one-third of Dixon’s donations came from Political Action Committees (PACs). He had almost $7,000 on-hand before the special election cycle began.
Nelson has raised over $22,000 and spent almost $21,000 since the beginning of the special election in August. She had about $11,000 on-hand before the special election cycle began. All of her cash donations came from individuals and businesses.
“We congratulate all three candidates for a strong and spirited campaign. Today’s results reflect the continued engagement of Republican voters in East Alabama,” said Shannon Whitt, Alabama Republican Party chief of staff.
The winner of the runoff will face Democratic candidate Hazel Floyd. A message seeking comment from her was left Tuesday evening.
Messer conceded in a post to Facebook Tuesday evening and thanked Nelson and Dixon for a “clean” race.
“I want to thank all of my supporters who honored me with their vote. It speaks volumes that you would entrust such a sacred right to me to be your state representative,” he wrote. “While tonight’s election results were not what we wanted, I am proud of the campaign I ran. Knocking over 2,000 doors in just 8 weeks was not easy but it was worth it.”
The district covers southeastern Chambers County and most of eastern Lee County in east Alabama. It was held by Rep. Debbie Wood, R-Valley, until she resigned this summer to move near the Florida panhandle, where her husband works.
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Author: Anna Barrett