Democrats sweep Bessemer races, circuit judge, probate judge contests

Democrats swept several races in Jefferson County Tuesday night in unofficial results.

With 97.7% of the votes counted:

Democrat Frederic A. Bolling won the race to fill the Place 13 seat in the 10th Judicial District on the Jefferson County Circuit Court.

Bolling defeated Republican Douglas M. Roy Jr. 54% to 46%.

The seat is currently held by Judge Carole Smitherman, who is retiring in January.

Bolling has practiced law for 26 years. He is a graduate of Auburn University and Howard University School of Law. He was appointed special circuit judge for Jefferson County in 2017. He also ran unsuccessfully for district court judge in 2018.

The judge in this seat handles civil matters.

Circuit Clerk, Jefferson County Bessemer Division

Democrat Karen Dunn Burks defeated Republican Camilo Fuller 55% to 45%.

Burks was elected deputy circuit clerk, Bessemer division, in 2012. Dunn Burks previously served as assistant in the Jefferson County Tax Assessor’s office.

Her mother was the late Alabama Rep. Priscilla Dunn, while her father, Grover Dunn, is the assistant Jefferson County tax collector over the Bessemer division.

Jefferson County Deputy Treasurer, Bessemer

Democrat Sherry McClain defeated Republican Delor Baumann 55% to 45%.

McClain has been the Jefferson County deputy treasurer since 2013. She previously served as director of community affairs, Jefferson County Commission, and worked with the city of Brighton.

Jefferson County Assistant Tax Collector, Bessemer

Bessemer City Councilman Ron Marshall defeated Republican Johnny Curry 54% to 46%.

Marshall is serving in his fourth term on the Bessemer City Council.

He is self-employed in the broadcast industry after spending more than 30 years in banking and telecommunications. He is the co-owner of Myriad Communications Network, Inc. and ABC Concessions.

Jefferson County Probate Judge Place 1

Democrat Yashiba “Red” Blanchard defeated Republican John Amari 52% to 48%.

Blanchard practices law with Glenn Blanchard and Associates. Blanchard served as a special circuit court judge and special district court judge in Jefferson County. She previously worked for the Jefferson County Commission and the county Personnel Board.

Jefferson County, Probate Judge Place 2

Jameria Johnson Moore (D) defeated Republican Joel Blankenship 53% to 47%.

Moore is an attorney and partner with Sperling & Moore. She serves as a municipal judge for Birmingham, and a special district court judge in family court. She is a registered mediator with the State of Alabama.