Republican House District 11 hopeful Don Fallin believes someone is attempting to rig the election in favor of a more pro-establishment candidate.
During a candidate forum on Thursday hosted by the Cullman County Chamber, the three HD11 candidates, including Fallin, Republican Heath Allbright and Democrat Alexandria Braswell, were asked what they "would like voters to know" about their motivations for running.
Allbright answered first, saying he had been putting off running for years while serving on the Cullman County School Board out of respect for former HD11 Rep. Randall Shedd.
"Over the past six or eight years of my life, I've been asked and urged to run for House District 11. I never did for two reasons. Number one, I was already elected, and I did not want to run for office while I was in office. Number two, I have respect for Mr. Randall Shedd. He was a great help to the board of education as my representative. I did not want to run against him," he explained.
However, Allbright said that 43 days after his last day on the board, Shedd "unexpectedly" resigned, allowing Allbright to run for office.
"Through a lot of meetings and prayer with my family, we felt as if it was time for me to run. Whether you believe in coincidences or callings, that's what happened," he said.
Fallin took issue with Allbright's answer. Fallin began his response by calling out certain lawmakers' alleged attempts to hand-pick the HD11 representative.
"The man that gave our county State Bill [322] is the one who's trying to decide who's going to be your state representative for District 11," Fallin said, apparently referring to State Sen. President Pro-Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), who pushed for the bill's passage.
"I've been in contact with Randall Shedd on and off throughout this campaign, two to three times a week. He confirmed this, as well as two other elected officials," he added. "So I ask, if this is not true with what's going on, I'd like someone to make a public statement saying this."
Attempts by 1819 News to contact Shedd and Gudger for comment were unsuccessful.
Fallin referenced an 1819 News opinion piece by Charles Kiplinger, which argues that the HD11 race is being "rigged." It lays out the timeline from Shedd resigning his seat in February after Gudger picked him to be his new district director to Allbright receiving support from Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) and an endorsement from the Business Council of Alabama, all before qualifying ended on March 11.
"Whether it's a coincidence or a conspiracy, I simply ask that you follow the timeline and follow the money," Fallin said.
"Like my dad said a long time ago, there might be a fox in the hen house. So if Montgomery is going to take Smith Lake away from you, but what I ask the voters to do on May 13 is not let them take District 11," Fallin concluded, promising transparency and to put the people before Montgomery, if elected.
Following the forum, Allbright denied the implication that he was part of a "conspiracy" or that he was being hand-picked to take over the seat. Allbright's campaign said he made the decision to term-limit himself on the school board 18 months before Shedd resigned from the legislature.
"I've lived here my entire life. Grew up here, graduated here, started a business here, and I'm raising my family here," Allbright said in a statement to 1819 News. "The people of Cullman County chose me to serve on the school board for eight years, not elected officials or special interest groups. Now, I'm asking the people of District 11—those I've grown up with, worked with, and worshiped with for 40 years—to pick me as their State representative, where I'll work to cut the income tax, reduce the size and scope of government, and keep more money in the pockets of district 11 families."
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