Candidates for District 38 special election address voters in Beulah
CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF GOV. IVEY
ALABAMA — Due to the early retirement of Alabama Rep. for District 38, Debbie Wood, there will be a special election Tuesday, Oct. 21, for voters to elect her replacement. Candidates for the position addressed voters at a public forum sponsored by the Beulah Friends of the Community nonprofit organization which was held at The Bridge Church Beulah on Lee Road 263 in Cusseta Aug. 7.
Micah Messer
Micah Messer was the first candidate to speak.
“What I want to be is your representative,” Messer said. “I don't want to be your typical politician who goes to Montgomery and does what they tell him to do or what they tell her to do. I want to do what you want to do. As long as it doesn't violate my morals, which I have already talked about, and doesn't violate the law I am your voice. That is what you elect a representative to be. Not to be their own voice or a special interest's voice. It is to be your voice. That is who I want to be.”
Messer gave details of his legislative agenda if elected.
“I have created an acronym. I call it my C.R.A.F.T. plan. C, what does it stand for? I want to cut wasteful spending. I am tired of my money, that I have earned through hard work, going to things that don't really matter. The hard thing is to tell you what those things that don't really matter are. We need a full, transparent accountability of where every single dime of our taxpayer dollars go. Right now it is really hard to find out.”
Kristin Nelson
Kristin Nelson was the next candidate to speak.
“I want to be able to give back to each of you and be able to fight in Montgomery for each and every one of you here,” Nelson said. “A couple of things that I feel like qualify me for this position. I have spent my entire life since high school in leadership. I have served in tons of different leadership capacities throughout the years. I am in church leadership. I have always always been very involved in my church, Fairfax Methodist. I am the worship leader there. I serve as the finance chairperson.”
Nelson shared a background of the experiences that have prepared her for office.
“I am also the president of the Lanier Hospital Auxiliary Board. The Junior Variety Club, which is a civic organization, I am the secretary for it. I am the chairperson for the Chambers County Republican Party. I serve in many different roles in leadership. I am a member of the state executive committee of the Republican Party. I just continue to pour back in to the community and the area that has served me so well and served my family so well for so many years.”
Garrett Dixon
Garrett Dixon was the third and last candidate to address the voters.
“I am a sixth generation cotton farmer in Lee County,” Dixon said. “My family settled here over a 160 years ago in Salem and we have been farming ever since. My wife, Robin, we have been married for eight years this November. We met at Auburn, we both got a degree in animal science there. We have two children.”
Dixon emphasized the importance he places on education.
“My wife is a school teacher at Smiths Station,” he said. “My mother is a retired school teacher from Smiths Station. Education is very important to us. Public education, we know how critical these schools are to our communities.”
Gov. Ivey Calls Special Election for Alabama House District 38
MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday signed a proclamation to set special election dates for Alabama House District 38. This seat was previously held by Rep. Debbie Wood. House District 38 includes portions of Chambers and Lee counties.
Ivey set the special primary election for Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025; the special primary runoff, if necessary, for Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025; and the special general election for Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.
“Rep. Debbie Wood has been a dedicated leader for the people of House District 38, and her commitment to Alabama is commendable,” said Ivey. “As she embarks on this new chapter, I am confident the district will elect a leader who will continue to serve with the same passion and integrity. I encourage every voter to participate in this important special election.”
The deadline for qualifying with major political parties will be Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 5 p.m. The deadline for all independent candidates and/or minor parties is Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at 5 p.m.
