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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Dr. Marsha S. Sturdevant, a retired physician and current chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party, has secured a victory in the Democratic Party Primary that will see her face off against incumbent Republican candidate Lindsey Allison in the general election for Shelby County Commissioner seat for District 7.

Sturdevant overcame her Democratic Primary opponent Spencer D. Stone by receiving a total of 328 votes, making up 82 percent of the total vote, while Stone managed to procure 72 votes, or 18 percent of the total votes cast in the primary. As of writing, a total of 400 ballots had been counted.

“Needless to say, I am pleased with the results,” Sturdevant said. “Spencer Stone is a fine man and a good friend and I am so grateful that he ran this race with me. I really appreciate my team of volunteers and my husband for their amazing work and support.”

Dr. Sturdevant, a Shelby County resident for 32 years, is a retired pediatrician and former professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She is also listed as a  former medical director of the Adolescent Health Center at Children’s of Alabama.

Sturdevant holds a record citing a long history of community service endeavors and currently serves on the Board of Directors of AIDS Alabama and Destination Imagination, Alabama. She also was a founding member and previously served on the board of directors of Cahaba Valley Healthcare and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Shelby County Democratic Party representing District 7.

She is also a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee representing Alabama House District 43 and has led ShelbyDems’ Healthcare committee for some time. She is also a member of Alabama Arise, Moms Demand Action, Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution (GASP).

Sturdevant stands as a self-proclaimed advocate for Medicaid expansion, gun safety and the maintenance and securance of clear air and clean water.

“I got into this race because I want to help,” she said. “I’d like to provide a new perspective for the people in my district. When they call me, I will listen to their concerns and try to find solutions.”

In the middle of an election cycle that has been filled with attack ads and vitriolic comments, the Democratic Primary for Shelby County Commissioner seat for District 7 has been a leading example of class and respect between the two candidates, with Spencer D. Stone having wished Sturdevant luck going into election day.

“Good luck to everyone on the ballot today,” Stone said on social media. “Especially (to) my friend Marsha Sturdevant.”

In response to Stone’s comments, Sturdevant called it “Politics at its finest” to see opponents wishing each other well, a spirit she returned in kind.