Incumbent Kristin Nelson and challenger Hazel Floyd outline their approaches to education, economic development and representing Lee and Chambers counties
BY THE LAFAYETTE SUN STAFF
CHAMBERS COUNTY — Republican incumbent Kristin Nelson and Democratic challenger Hazel Floyd will face voters Nov. 3 in the race for Alabama House District 38, with both candidates emphasizing the needs of rural communities, public education and economic opportunity.
The contest is a rematch of the February special election, which Nelson won following the departure of former Rep. Debbie Wood. Nelson is now seeking her first full term in the Alabama Legislature, while Floyd is making another bid for the seat after winning the Democratic primary in May.
In separate responses to questions from The LaFayette Sun, the candidates discussed their qualifications, the needs of Lee and Chambers counties and their approaches to representing a district that includes both fast-growing communities and rural areas facing economic and infrastructure challenges.
Nelson said her first months in office have given her a greater understanding of the demands of legislative service.
“I knew this position would require hard work, but I did not fully appreciate how quickly a legislator must learn to move between very different issues,” Nelson said. “In one day, you may be discussing education, public safety, healthcare, infrastructure and a constituent’s individual problem with a state agency.”
Floyd, who grew up in the district and earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and philosophy from the University of Alabama, said her decision to run was shaped by her experiences and a desire to advocate for others.
“It is the government’s job to help people, and who we elect is the very essence of democracy,” Floyd said. “I grew up in District 38, went to college and came back to make a difference in the communities that raised me. I am running because I have been in situations where I did not have a choice, and no one advocated for me.”
Priorities for the district
Nelson identified strengthening public and school safety, expanding workforce development and economic opportunities, and improving infrastructure and essential services as her three primary priorities.
“These priorities are connected,” Nelson said. “Families and employers are more likely to invest in communities that are safe, well connected and prepared for future growth.”
Floyd identified public schools, rural communities, farmers and small businesses as major concerns.
She said rising living expenses have become one of the issues she hears about most frequently from residents.
“The biggest concern is the rising prices of everything,” Floyd said. “People are not traveling because gas is too high, and groceries are becoming more difficult to purchase on small Alabama living wages.”
Floyd also pointed to uncertainty surrounding school funding, low teacher salaries, cost-of-living adjustments for retirees and concerns about artificial intelligence and data centers.
Nelson similarly identified rising costs as a concern for families throughout the district.
“Families are also dealing with higher costs for groceries, housing, insurance, utilities and transportation,” Nelson said. “Economic development must be measured by whether local families can find stable employment and build a future here — not simply by the number of announcements made.”
Education and school safety
Both candidates identified education as an area requiring continued attention, although they emphasized different priorities.
Nelson said Alabama should work toward providing a trained school resource officer or similarly qualified security presence at every school.
“The state should help local systems — especially rural and less wealthy systems — meet that goal instead of placing the entire cost on local taxpayers,” Nelson said.
She also cited secure entrances, emergency communication systems, threat-assessment training, coordination with first responders and student mental-health resources.
Beyond school safety, Nelson said public schools need continued attention to teacher recruitment and retention, classroom discipline, literacy, career and technical education, and the administrative burden on educators.
“Students also need multiple pathways to success,” Nelson said. “College is an excellent choice for many students, but workforce credentials, apprenticeships, and technical education should be treated as equally valuable paths.”
Floyd called for greater investment in public school resources and student safety, with particular attention to mental health and gun awareness.
“Our classrooms need more investment in resources and in student safety,” Floyd said.
She said student safety and mental-health concerns deserve more attention from state lawmakers and called for additional investment in solutions.
Growth and rural development
Both candidates acknowledged that economic conditions vary significantly across House District 38, with some communities experiencing rapid growth while others continue to face challenges attracting jobs and maintaining infrastructure.
Nelson said rural communities need support for broadband, workforce training, site preparation and partnerships between schools, community colleges and employers.
“State incentive programs should recognize that creating 50 good jobs in a rural community can be just as transformational as creating several hundred jobs in a metropolitan area,” she said.
She identified the loss of traditional employers, uneven access to good-paying jobs, aging infrastructure and difficulty retaining young people as significant challenges.
Floyd expressed concern that growth in the district is concentrated in a few areas while smaller communities receive less attention.
“When you drive around District 38, you really only notice that Valley is booming, and the communities outside the city limits need investment too,” Floyd said.
She also cited difficulties facing farmers and small business owners, including labor shortages, compensation concerns and the effects of tariffs.
Asked how she would balance the needs of rural and growing communities, Floyd said she would work directly with local leaders to identify priorities.
“I would start by saying growth in one place should not hide need in another,” she said. “Valley and Opelika are booming, and that’s good news, but I won’t let it become the whole story of the district.”
Nelson also emphasized that different communities require different solutions.
“Growing areas need help managing traffic, school enrollment and infrastructure demand,” she said. “Rural areas may need additional assistance maintaining roads, protecting healthcare access and attracting employers. My job is to bring both perspectives to Montgomery and look for solutions that strengthen the district as a whole.”
Floyd said she would like to help Beulah connect with a chamber of commerce to support economic growth and encourage stronger relationships among smaller communities.
Infrastructure and healthcare
Nelson identified road and bridge improvements, broadband expansion, water and sewer systems, and industrial site preparation as important infrastructure priorities.
“Our priorities should include repairing and improving roads and bridges, expanding reliable broadband, supporting water and sewer systems and preparing industrial and commercial sites for future development,” she said.
Nelson also emphasized the importance of protecting rural hospitals and expanding access to healthcare.
“Alabama must protect rural hospitals and strengthen access to primary, emergency, maternal, mental-health and pharmacy services,” she said.
She suggested incentives, loan-repayment programs and rural training opportunities to encourage healthcare professionals to practice in underserved communities.
“Telehealth can help, but it cannot replace a hospital, an ambulance or a healthcare professional in the community,” Nelson said.
Floyd’s responses focused on affordability, housing and access to basic services.
She said her priorities have shifted as she has continued campaigning and speaking with residents.
“When I first campaigned, I campaigned for larger community issues, but now my top priorities revolve around fighting rising food insecurity, the growing housing crisis, unlivable wages and the inhumane, undrinkable water systems,” Floyd said.
She also cited concerns about the environmental and economic effects of data centers and artificial intelligence.
Taxes and government spending
Nelson said the state should approach budgeting conservatively and avoid treating unusually strong revenue years as a permanent source of funding.
“Our priorities should be core responsibilities: public safety, education, healthcare, roads and bridges, and maintaining responsible reserves,” Nelson said.
She supports targeted tax relief for working families but cautioned against changes that could shift costs to other areas.
“Reducing one tax should not simply result in families paying more through another tax, fee or higher local cost,” she said.
Nelson also said she supports reducing unnecessary regulations that create burdens without providing clear public benefits, while maintaining protections for public safety, consumers and property rights.
Floyd emphasized increasing economic security for residents struggling with rising expenses, low wages and housing costs.
She said she has spoken with residents concerned about the price of groceries, gasoline and other necessities and believes those issues should receive greater attention from lawmakers.
Experience and legislative approach
Nelson said serving during the latter portion of the legislative session allowed her to begin developing relationships and learning the legislative process.
She introduced legislation concerning municipal speed-limit enforcement and protections involving children born through surrogacy. Neither measure completed the legislative process during her abbreviated first session.
“Although those bills did not complete the legislative process during the shortened time available, introducing them allowed us to begin important conversations and laid groundwork for future sessions,” Nelson said.
She also discussed two votes she believes deserve additional explanation.
Nelson said she supported legislation involving closed primary elections after considering differing views from constituents.
“I understood the arguments on both sides, and I heard from constituents who held sincere but opposing views,” she said. “Ultimately, I voted yes because I felt it was the best representation of my district.”
She also explained her opposition to Beau’s Law.
“I voted no because the unintentional consequences of enforcement put a heavy burden on our local/rural enforcement agencies,” Nelson said. “There is a ripple effect to every decision we make as legislators, and we must consider what those effects mean for our specific districts.”
Floyd pointed to her education, involvement in community activities and service on the State Democratic Executive Committee as experiences that have prepared her for office.
She said her role on the committee has allowed her to participate in discussions about party leadership and statewide issues.
Floyd also cited her efforts to lobby for legislation and organize local community events as examples of her involvement.
Asked what she would bring to the Legislature, Floyd emphasized her perspective and willingness to compromise.
“A new perspective. I am young, and I look at the world differently,” she said. “I believe that compromising is the key to a successful government.”
Both candidates said their responsibility to the district should guide their decisions, even when political considerations are involved.
Nelson said her Republican principles inform her decisions but do not replace independent judgment.
“I study the legislation, listen to constituents and local leaders, consider the long-term consequences and vote according to my principles and the district’s best interests,” she said. “Party affiliation matters, but it does not replace independent judgment.”
Floyd offered a similar commitment to representing constituents.
“My loyalty lies with the citizens who live in Alabama State House District 38, not a party,” she said.
Making their case to voters
Nelson said she is seeking a full term because the district needs consistent representation and she wants additional time to pursue legislation and longer-term goals.
“I did not seek this office simply to hold a title,” she said. “I sought it to serve, and I believe there is much more work to be done.”
She said she has worked to remain accessible through town halls, legislative updates, community meetings and direct communication with residents.
“Accessibility means more than appearing in public,” Nelson said. “It means returning calls, listening respectfully and following through when someone needs assistance.”
Floyd said her campaign has introduced her to more residents and helped her better understand the district’s immediate needs.
She also contrasted her campaign with Nelson’s, saying she has not accepted political action committee contributions and has relied on smaller donations from individuals and the Lee County Democrats.
Floyd said her age and personal circumstances provide flexibility to spend more time meeting with residents.
“People want to be heard, and I am not afraid of a challenge or easily swayed by the pressure around me,” she said.
She described service to others as a central part of her life, citing her childhood participation in Bradshaw Library programs and her return to Valley High School in 2023 to mentor members of the low brass section.
“Community and service are everything to me,” Floyd said. “I never know what people are going through; therefore, I try to live by grace.”
Nelson said voters can now evaluate her work in office rather than relying solely on campaign promises.
“During the special election, I asked voters to trust what I said I would do,” Nelson said. “Now they can also evaluate how I have approached the job.”
Floyd said voters should consider her involvement in the district and her commitment to addressing problems facing residents.
“I am not only a politician who showed up for a campaign, but also a neighbor who decided to run,” she said.
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
