By DONNA THORNTON, Editor
In a political rarity, an Independent candidate won the Alabama Senate seat for District 10, defeating his Republican opponent by 74 votes after the counting of provisional ballots in Etowah, DeKalb, and Cherokee counties.
Jesse Battles was sworn in by Etowah County Circuit Judge Sonny Steen Tuesday afternoon after the count of provisional ballots in the counties added to the 52-vote lead he had on incumbent Andrew Jones when general election ballots were counted Nov. 4.
“The people have spoken,” Battles said. “I’m excited. I’m going to get sworn in and start working for the people today.
“I’m humbled and honored to serve the people of District 10,” Battles said. “I look forward to working with Governor-elect Tuberville, Senate leadership, and local leaders across our district to ensure Northeast Alabama is the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Battles also thanked the voters who sent him to the Senate, saying the win belonged to the people of District 10.
“This was truly a grassroots campaign, made up of people from all different backgrounds. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who made this possible. I am humbled by your support. And I promise to be the hardest working Senator our district has ever seen.”
In a Facebook post Tuesday Jones acknowledged the vote totals, though he indicated a 72 vote margin, rather than 74.
“We are waiting on an automatic recount to take place,” he posted. “State election law provides for a recount process when the vote totals are within 0.5%. To be clear: this recount is not something extra that we have asked for.
“Although it would be an uphill climb for us to pull out a win at this point, I remain firm in my belief that every vote needs to be accurately counted,” Jones posted. “The automatic recount process exists in state law to ensure the integrity of our elections. Our team is waiting on the recount to be completed before making a final statement about the election.”
Battles said the path to public office is not what he envisioned when he first contemplated the run.
He qualified for the Republican ballot, which would have put him in a three-way race against incumbent Jones and challenged Amy Minton. But his inclusion on the ballot was challenged, with a claim that he’d worked for a Democrat’s campaign in the past. Battles said he’d put out signs for Craig Ford, but it occurred longer ago then ballot-qualification rules for the Republican Party primary required. The Republican Steering Committee removed Battles from the primary ballot, which say Jones defeat Minton.
Jones has said he did not challenge Battles’ candidacy as a Republican.
“I believe the good Lord has a plan and my job is to wake up and work hard every day to follow his plan. If this is his plan I’m happy to be part of it,” he said.
Battles said it’s his intent to caucus with the Republicans. “I want to be sure I work my way back in, but that is my intent,” he said, to work with fellow lawmakers despite being the sole Independent in state government.
The Jones’ campaign far out-spent his opponent. Jones’ campaign reported spending more than $1 million; Battles’ campaign reported spending less than $150,000.
Battles received more votes than Jones in Etowah and Cherokee counties, while Jones tallied more votes the southern portion of DeKalb County that is a part of Senate District 10.
Apparent Senate District 10 winner Jesse Battles takes his oath of office after the counting of provision ballots gives him a 74-vote win over incumbent Andrew Jones. Etowah County Circuit Judge Sonny Steen administered the oath as Battle’s wife Melissa held the Bible. SPECIAL TO THE LEADER
