Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, was re-elected to his fifth term as representative of Alabama House of Representatives District 79 on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Hubbard garnered 59 percent of the vote, with 88 percent of precincts reporting, against his opponent Shirley Scott-Harris, D-Auburn, despite him facing 23 charges for ethics violations.
"I never doubted for a minute that the voters here in Lee County would see through the attacks and see them for exactly what they are," Hubbard said.
Scott-Harris was not immediately available for comment, but Scott-Harris campaign volunteer and Auburn student David Earnhardt, junior in industrial engineering, said he was disappointed with the results.
"Your heart sinks a little bit, but at the same time, you're glad you (volunteered), and you move on," Earnhardt said. Earnhardt, Montgomery native, said he is tired of government corruption.
"I think it's foolish to so readily re-elect someone who's been indicted on 23 felony counts," Earnhardt said.
Hubbard, who was surrounded by supporters, spoke to the press about the charges against him on election night in front of his home.
"Anybody can look at what is being charged and see that it's baseless," Hubbard said. "Basically, what I'm accused of is having a job and running a company."
According to AL.com reports, Alabama is facing a budget shortfall of between $150 million and $250 million.
Hubbard said it was unlikely education funding would change in any way.
"We're going to deal with the General Fund just like you do with your family business and in your family homes," Hubbard said.
Hubbard also added the Alabama Legislature would work on making state government more efficient.
"We have some bold ideas involving the private sector, some things that have not been done before but that we believe will work," Hubbard said.
According to Hubbard, republicans will continue to work to change the status quo.
"Just because things have been done the way they have been done for decades, doesn't mean we'll continue doing it that way," Hubbard said.
Kyle Nazario contributed to this report.
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