The race for Alabama’s governor has commanded much of the media attention heading into next week’s midterm elections. But there’s also a heated race for the currently-vacant position of lieutenant governor.
The two candidates seeking to fill that office say they want to use the position — which has limited official powers — to drive the political conversation in Alabama.
Republican state Rep. Will Ainsworth and Democratic minister Will Boyd are both vying for the position.
The lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate, breaks ties and makes board appointments. The position is most notable as Alabama’s lieutenant governor becomes governor, if the sitting governor leaves office.
Ainsworth says he would push issues such as education and economic development. He sees the role as a liaison between the governor and the state legislature.
Boyd says education, workforce development and Medicaid expansion are among his priorities. He says he would also seek more diversity and "working people" on state boards.
