Auburn residents will decide Tuesday, Nov. 4, if they will send the speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives back to Montgomery after being indicted.
Rep. Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, is being challenged by former Auburn University administrator Shirley Scott-Harris, D-Auburn, for the Alabama House District 79 seat.
A Lee County grand jury indicted Hubbard on charges of using his office for personal gain on Oct. 20.
"Quite simply, I have been the target of a political witch hunt," Hubbard said in a letter to registered Auburn voters.
Scott-Harris said the allegations against Hubbard were serious.
"People want government that's honest, and they want government that's truthful," Scott-Harris said. "Alabama is ranked as a state with high corruption and that's a bad tag to have."
Scott-Harris also said if she won, she will spend more time focusing on serving Auburn residents and students.
"I'm not going to be a speaker, I'm going to be a listener," Scott-Harris said. "I'm going to be around for my constituents other than ribbon cutting and shovel digging."
Hubbard told voters at a candidate forum how he and other legislators from the area have formed a team to improve Lee County.
"We have the third-lowest unemployment in the state, we're one of the fastest growing areas in the state and look at all of the business we've been able to attract and create new jobs," Hubbard said.
When the Republicans took back the House in 2010, it was the first time Republicans held a majority in the Alabama Legislature since 1874.
Hubbard was there to oversee the passing of several new laws.
"We've definitely changed the status quo -- everything from budget reform, tort reform, tenure reform, making the state government more efficient and run much more effectively," Hubbard said.
Some of those laws passed included reforms to the ethics code, which Hubbard will face in a Lee County courtroom at a trial tentatively scheduled for Dec. 8.
"It's an honor for me to represent District 79, and I'm very proud of what we've been able to do as a team," Hubbard said.
A rogue prosecutor is behind the indictment, according to Hubbard.
"I have never violated the public's trust -- your trust -- and I never will," Hubbard said.
Other races Auburn residents will be voting in depending on their district:
*State Senate District 27, incumbent Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, is being challenged by Haley Moss, D-Auburn. Moss has made no public appearances
*State House District 83, incumbent George "Tootie" Bandy, D-Opelika, is being challenged by Gary Head, R-Seale
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