Shelby County Commission Elections on November 5 will feature something out of the ordinary: Democrats running against incumbent Republicans.

There are six contested races, five of which feature Democrats running against Republican incumbents. The sixth contested race features a Democrat and a Republican running for a seat currently held by a Republican.

Sector 3

“Shelby County is very Republican,” said Jon Parker, a retired Calera firefighter and owner of Parker Brothers Heating and Air who is running to retain the District 3 commissioner seat he has held since 2004. “Typically , our opposition is coming to the Republican Primaries. They weren’t this year.”

Parker’s opponent in the general election is retired Montevallo High School teacher Bobby “CP” Pierson, who taught physical education and coached sports for more than 30 years, including serving as head basketball coach from 1985-2008.

“I’m a Democrat,” Pierson said. “We need a seat at the table.”

Sector 4

In District 4, Ward Williams, a minister who runs a nonprofit organization, is the Republican incumbent.

His opponent will be Phil Kirk, a Democrat, who is a software developer and business systems analyst.

Sector 5

In District 5, retired real estate developer Elwyn Bearden is the Republican incumbent. His opponent will be Leslie Tyus, a Democrat who is a community mental health counselor.

Sector 6

There is no holder due to redistribution. Insurance agent Josh Sisk is the Republican candidate, and public health consultant Anondo Banerjee is the Democrat. They are running for the seat currently held by Jeff Brumlow.

Sector 7

Retired attorney Lindsey Allison is the Republican incumbent. Marsha S. Sturdevant, a retired physician and retired UAB professor, is the Democrat facing her.

District 8

Rick Shepherd, who works in information technology, is the Republican incumbent. Jenice Prather-Kinsey, a retired UAB accounting professor, is the Democrat facing him.

Of the six Democrats running, three are black: Pierson, Tyus and Prather-Kinsey, respectively Shelby County Democrats website.

In Shelby County, traffic is always one of the biggest issues to address, and the Alabama Department of Transportation’s expansion of Interstate 65 was the biggest project, Parker said.

“We’re doing it now,” he said. “We partnered with ALDOT to widen I-65.”

The Shelby County Commission committed $16.5 million as part of the cost of the interstate expansion, Parker said.

Pierson said if he wins, he will prioritize better roads and safer railroad crossings. “I want Democrats at the table, but I want to represent everyone in the county,” he said.

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