Johnny Curry seeks re-election as tax collector in Jefferson County

November 4, 2024 – BIRMINGHAM, AL – Assistant Jefferson County Tax Collector for the Bessemer Cutoff recently spoke to the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans ahead of the November 5 general election.

Republican Johnny Curry is the Republican candidate for Jefferson County Assistant Tax Collector. Curry was appointed to the office by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on September 28, 2023. He previously served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1986 to 2002. He is retired from American Village where he played President Theodore Roosevelt (a Republican President from 1901 to 1909).

Curry told the Young Republicans that he was formerly the chairman of their group – decades ago when Democrats dominated the county and the state.

Curry stressed the importance of Jefferson County voters coming out to vote on Nov. 5.

Curry says that he has always been dedicated to making Jefferson County a better place to live. Curry stressed that he is a lifelong resident and understands the needs of the community. Curry stressed that when a citizen comes to his office with a tax issue that he serves them without regard of whether they are Republicans or Democrats.

Curry promised that if election that he will continue to serve the citizens of Jefferson County. He emphasized his commitment to honesty, integrity, and fairness and that everyone will be treated equally.

Curry emphasized his experience both as the incumbent Assistant Tax Collector and as a state legislator.

Curry is facing Democrat Ron Marshall.

Jefferson County Republican Party Chairman Chris Brown told the Young Republicans that he, like Curry, once were where they are – young Republicans.

"I used to hate it when people in the party would tell us that your time will come, your time is now," Brown said encouraging the young Republicans to run for office themselves rather than waiting for later in life. Brown also extolled the history and accomplishments of the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans over the previous decades of their history.

Jefferson County currently has no county wide elected Republican office holders. Curry was appointed by the governor to fill a sudden vacancy. The elected circuit and district judges in Jefferson County are all Democrats. While historically weak across the state of Alabama – Jefferson County is one of those remaining pockets where Democrats dominate county wide races and judicial races. Republican Sheriff Mike Hale was defeated in 2018 as Democrats swept out all of the remaining Republican officeholders in Jefferson County – outside of the County Commission where Republicans hold 3 of the 5 commission districts.

Despite this history, Brown emphasized how the demographics and development trends have favored Republicans so that it is possible for the GOP to elect Republicans now.

Brown said that Curry could win if Republicans do their part and come out and vote.

Brown also emphasized the candidacies of John Amari for probate judge, Joel Blankenship also for probate judge, and Delor Baumann who is running for Jefferson County Deputy Treasurer Bessemer Division.

The Alabama Republican Party has put significant resources into Curry, Blankenship, Amari, and other races in an attempt to swing one or more of these races into the win column. According to sources, if the GOP fails to win any races in Jefferson County in this election there will be resistance from the rest of the state party to plow significant races into the increasingly blue leaning county. Jefferson County is the most populous county in the state.

Polls open at 7:00 a.m. across the state and close at 7:00 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID to the polls in order to participate. Vote at the polling place to which you are assigned – even if you have moved but did not change your registration. There is no same day voter registration or electronic voting in Alabama.

To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com