By PAUL DEMARCO / Columnist

This is an opinion column.

So in the midst of December, Christmas and family are the only priority for most Alabamians. Yet, for candidates for political office in 2020, this is the calm before the storm.

Once we get past New Year’s Day,  we will be just a little more than 60 days until the party primary elections on March 3rd.

Thus, those running for their party nominations are focusing on planning the last sprint to the finish line and most importantly, raising money. The candidates have to make one last effort to raise the funds to be able to afford their final campaign advertisements and get out the vote efforts.

On the ballot, voters will be selecting candidates for judicial, county and statewide offices. For any race where their are multiple candidates and one does not get more than fifty percent of the vote, the run-off elections are set for March 31st.

The most high profile races in the state will be two open Congressional seats in south Alabama and the Republican Primary to determine who will ultimately challenge Democrat Senator Doug Jones. In addition, there are some competitive races for the states appellate courts as well.

Ot course, presidential delegates will be picked for both parties to attend their respective conventions next summer. There is no question in Alabama, most delegates elected in the state will go to Donald Trump.

Finally, there will be a number of both local and statewide constitutional amendments for voters to consider as well.

The general election is set next year on November 3, 2020.

For now enjoy the Christmas holidays, as campaign season is around the corner.

Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives.