The Baldwin County Commission race is heating up, as a new challenger has emerged in District 1.
Retired forestry professional and farmer Richard Cox announced his candidacy for the seat, which James "Jeb" Ball currently holds.
Ball, a lifelong resident of Baldwin County, has served two terms and said he is running again to continue providing steady, responsible leadership as the county grows and changes.
"Baldwin County is my home – my family is here, my roots are here, and I want to continue to serve the public as best I can in this role as Commissioner," Ball said. "I'm running for re-election because I care deeply about our future and want Baldwin County to remain a place where our children are proud to live, build careers, and raise their own families."
Cox, also a lifelong resident of Baldwin County, said he wants to protect what makes the county a special place.
"God blessed us with incredible natural beauty and strong, hardworking communities," Cox said. "My goal is to ensure that growth never comes at the expense of our quality of life. The people who live here – the families who work, worship, and pay taxes here – deserve to have their needs put first."
Cox said he is committed to preserving the county's heritage while meeting the needs of a rapidly growing population. With his experience in farming, timber, logging and land management, Cox said he would focus on improved infrastructure planning, protection of natural resources, support for first responders and law enforcement and responsible leadership.
"As Commissioner, I will fight every day to make life easier for the people who call Baldwin County home," Cox continued. "We need leadership that listens, leadership that values accountability, and leadership that puts Baldwin County residents back in the driver's seat. That's the kind of Commissioner I intend to be."
Ball highlighted how he has worked to bring thousands of jobs to the people of Baldwin County while addressing growth concerns.
"I am running again so that I can help provide steady, responsible leadership in the same way I have in my previous terms – with common-sense conservative values, good fiscal stewardship of taxpayer money, and a keen focus on long-term planning and guided growth," Ball added.
His accomplishments include work bringing the Novelis company to South Alabama, securing millions of dollars for a new county jail, renovations to the courthouse and completion of a new district attorney's office, creating the Baldwin County Solid Waste Authority, constructing new boat launches for enhances water access, building a state-of-the-art animal shelter, investing millions into the new Baldwin Preparatory Academy and creating a strategic plan, a comprehensive plan and developing amendments for the county's subdivision regulations, among others.
Ball has served as an environmental investigator in the Baldwin County District Attorney's Office and a court referral officer. He founded Baldwin Substance Abuse Services Inc.
Ball and Cox will go head-to-head in the May 19, 2026, Republican primary.
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