Arthur Crawford

Despite an earlier ruling by a local subcommittee of the Alabama Democratic Party, the state committee has ruled that  Arthur Crawford will be the party’s candidate for Probate Judge of Hale County in the November election. He will face a Republican nominee,  in the November 6 General Election.

Crawford won the April  run-off   election by 80  votes.  A citizen filed a challenge, saying that Crawford failed to follow the financial disclosure law as required.

On May 25, the Hale County Democratic Party appointed a subcommittee to disqualify Crawford.  This subcommittee upheld the challenge and voted 3-2 to disqualify him which  made Crawford’s opponent, three-time Probate Judge Leland Avery, the candidate. Avery is white.

Crawford appealed this decision to the State Democratic Party.

On June 26, the five-member committee appointed by the State Party heard the challenge and ruled that Crawford would  be the candidate in the November  6 election.

Committee Chairman Theron Stokes announced the decision that Crawford was the winner, but did not reveal the margin of the vote.

Avery has said he will appeal this decision to the full Democratic Executive Committee and beyond, if necessary.

Crawford’s attorney Collins  Pettaway, Jr. said that he felt that the committee  made the right decision and predicted that Avery’s name “would not be on the ballot.

“It is good  to know that the Democratic party is listening to the people and following the will of the  people,” said Pettaway.

The latest U. S. Census figures estimate that Hale County has a population of 15,421 with blacks comprising 58.3% and whites 40.6% of the population. The remainder of the population are American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Hispanic or Latino.

Crawford said, “This victory is for the voters and the people of Hale County to ensure them that their votes counted – that one  man, one  vote still stands.”

“What this does is generate enthusiasm going toward the General Election about voting. Our platform is still jobs, jobs, jobs,” said Crawford.