McDonald's Candidacy
Political Maneuvering Denies Colbert County Voters Democratic Representation on their Ballot for Superintendent of the Colbert County Board of Education.
An injustice to democracy has occurred in the Shoals. Probate Judge Daniel Rosser, along with Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, have surreptitiously denied the Democratic Party and Colbert County voters the right to have a qualified, certified Democratic candidate on the ballot for Superintendent of the Colbert County Board of Education.
Mr. Lymos McDonald is the Democratic Party’s candidate for Superintendent of the Colbert County Schools. He declared his candidacy with the Party on October 26, 2023, registered with the Secretary of State, and filed the required paperwork for certification with the State Board of Education on the same date, prior to the November 10, 2023, deadline.
Three days before the deadline, on November 7, 2023, the Alabama State Board of Education denied Mr. McDonald’s certification. On December 6, 2023, the Board reversed its decision, now certifying that Mr. McDonald holds an Alabama certificate in administration and supervision, according to the Board’s own requirements pursuant to Sections 16-9-2 and 16-9-4, Code of Alabama 1975.
Upon receiving the certification from the State Board of Education, Colbert County Probate Judge Daniel Rosser consulted with Colbert County Democratic Party Chair, Julie Dean. Judge Rosser proposed that rather than sue the Probate Court to get Mr. McDonald’s name on the March primary ballot, where he would face no Democratic opponent, the Party could nominate him for the vacancy on the November general election ballot in accordance with Section 17-13-23, Code of Alabama 1975. Ms. Dean consulted with the Alabama Democratic Party’s legal representative before agreeing to accept Judge Rosser’s recommendation.
On March 11, 2024, as agreed with Judge Rosser, the Colbert County Democrats submitted the Certification of Democratic Candidates, nominating Mr. McDonald as general election candidate for the vacant Superintendent position.
Unbeknownst to the Colbert County Democrats, at some point Judge Rosser consulted State Attorney General Steve Marshall on the matter. On June 12, 2024, the Judge forwarded AG Marshall’s opinion. This stated that since the Democratic Party did not nominate Mr. McDonald or any other candidate for the Superintendent position, there was no vacancy they could now fill. Mr. McDonald’s name could not appear on the November ballot, no matter what Judge Rosser had previously stated.
This is an injustice to Colbert County voters. Political maneuvering has denied the Democratic Party and Colbert County voters the right to have a qualified, certified Democratic candidate on the ballot for Superintendent of the Colbert County Board of Education.
Lymos McDonald’s mission is to provide Colbert County’s students and their families the option of having him represent them. He will therefore continue his campaign as a write-in candidate for Superintendent of the Colbert County Board of Education. To vote for Lymos McDonal, write in “Lymos McDonald” by the office of Colbert County Superintendent on your ballot.