(Alabama Reflector) — Voters in Chambers and Lee counties will go to the polls Tuesday to choose a new state representative in the House District 38 special election.
Voters will choose between Republican candidate Kristin Nelson, chair of the Chambers Party Republican Party and Democratic candidate Hazel Floyd, a recent graduate of the University of Alabama.
The seat became vacant after Rep. Debbie Wood, R-Valley, stepped down last year.
The district has been largely Republican since 2014 when former Rep. Isaac Whorton ran unopposed. Wood gained 69% of the vote when she ran in 2018 and faced no serious competition in 2022.
Nelson said in an interview Monday that her priorities include strengthening law enforcement and improving education in the state.
“What I would like to see happen statewide is for there to be funding through the Education Trust Fund for school resource officers, for one in each school. And then according to the population maybe more if it’s a big school,” she said. “I feel like what that does, as far as the rural effect, is that they become a community advocate for our children and for our parents so it has this ripple effect.”
Nelson also said she wants to eliminate taxes where it’s possible.
“What my goals and plans were going into this election was to reduce our state income tax, not to go to a complete flat rate, but to just reduce it a small amount and what I feel like that will do is increase business opportunities and so it creates a strong workforce,” Nelson said.
Floyd, who graduated from The University of Alabama and spent her childhood in the public education system, said in an interview Monday that she wants to protect public education.
“The Alabama government is wanting to expand the CHOOSE Act and that’s going to hurt our public education system incredibly,” she said. “I’m a public education baby, I would not be who I am today without my teachers, so I want to make sure that they get the raises they deserve, the funds they deserve and that our public schools can stay open and can do better.”
The CHOOSE Act is a voucher-like program that extends tax credits to families for non-public education expenses including private school tuition.
Nelson said people should choose her at the polls because of her experience.
“You can look at my background and my resumes and just see that I’m someone who didn’t just step into community leadership roles within the last year, it’s been a huge part of my life,” she said.
Floyd said voters should choose her because “it’s time for a change.”
“A lot of people have had the same issues. The school system has been a problem for as long as I can remember and we’ve been voting the same political party in,” she said.
According to campaign finance records, through Feb. 2, Floyd had raised $3,054.24 and spent $2,525.10. Nelson had raised $158,135 and spent $93,275.89.
Both candidates have qualified for the 2026 midterm elections in November.
Meet the Candidates
Kristin Nelson
Age: 41Residence: LanettOccupation: Stay-at-home mom, part time at an engineering consulting firmEducation: Associates degree, Southern Union Community College, 2004; B.S. Business Administration, Troy University, 2007; M.S. Education, Troy University, 2011Party: RepublicanPrevious political experience: First-time candidateCampaign fundraising: Through Feb. 2, Nelson raised $158,135 and spent $93,275.89.
Hazel Floyd
Age: 21Residence: ValleyOccupation: unemployedEducation: B.A. Political Science and Philosophy, the University of Alabama, 2025; Associates degree, Southern Union State Community College, 2023Party: DemocraticPrevious political experience: First-time candidateCampaign fundraising: Through Feb. 2, Floyd had raised $3,054.24 and spent $2,525.10.
