HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Voters in Huntsville’s District 1 will soon decide who’ll represent them next with Michelle Watkins set to again challenge incumbent Devyn Keith in next Tuesday’s runoff election.
Just under 8% of people in Huntsville voted during the general election. Both Keith and Watkins know just how important it’ll be to make whatever difference they can with the runoff election just six days away.
Watkins led Keith by 9 percentage points in the general election but neither reached enough votes to secure a victory.
Keith, who says he’s been able to transform his community, is touting his last eight years in office and feels his record speaks for itself.
“We’ve made a lot of difference and I think the best stories to be told are the ones you can review yourself and the facts you can reveal,” Keith said. However, the two-term city councilman knows more work must be done.
Last year, Keith pleaded guilty to stealing from Walmart in a situation he says has clouded what he’s been able to accomplish. Keith believes people should look at his time in office rather than judging him off one incident.
“I’m trying to get past the year and a half, it’s my first-time misdemeanor,” Keith told News 19. “We’ve just been pushing towards things like Lakewood and the concerns that are going on in the city. I understand that this narrative might supersede eight years of hard work, but for a lot of people it doesn’t.”
Watkins, Keith’s opponent says she’s energized by the general election results, but she knows producing a bigger voter turnout will be key to winning.
“I’m aggressively seeking voters to support me, I’m knocking on doors I’m canvassing, I’m showing up at events, and I’m running like I’m behind and not ahead,” Watkins said.
Watkins herself dealt with a legal issue back in 2019 while on the Huntsville City School Board, but was acquitted of harassment charges.
She’s prioritizing being upfront with voters during the campaign process, something she feels Keith has not done.
“Devyn pleaded guilty, Michelle Watkins pleaded not guilty and had a hearing where a judge vindicated her,” Watkins said. “If you’re innocent, plead not guilty and go to court. People want a leader who’s accountable, they want you to be a leader who has integrity and transparency so those are the things that I do.”
Keith promises to continue delivering for District 1 and knows these next six days will be crucial.
“Being accountable to their concerns from roads, to things like Walmart to things like what’s going to happen with development on the parkway and getting in front of those voters,” Keith said.
Watkins on the other hand is looking to usher in new leadership, but both feel change starts with the people they’re pleading with to go to the polls next Tuesday.
“If you want to see change in that’s in your community, the changes starts with you,” Watkins said. “You have to go out and vote, that’s your civic duty.”
The runoff election will be held next Tuesday and the city will announce the official results on October 1.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
