From left, Martha Nolen, Teresa Maxwell and Sharon Maxwell check the results of the polling stations in Morgan County at Maxwell’s election results party at Nature’s Trail Church in Priceville Tuesday evening. Maxwell won the License Commissioner race 5,005 votes to 3,057. | Joy Harris

Republican nominee to face Democrat in general election

Sharon Maxwell defeated Carolyn Wallace in the Republican run-off of the Morgan County License Commisioner’s election and will face Democratic challenger Sonya Patterson in the November general election.

Maxwell unofficially collected 5,005 votes (62 percent) compared to Wallace’s 3,057 votes (37 percent).

The winner of November’s general election will take over the license commissioner office in January and replace outgoing License Commissioner Sue Baker Roan, who opted not to run again.

Maxwell is currently working as office manger at the Hartselle branch of the license commissioner’s office. She has also worked in the Decatur and Lacey’s Spring offices, working as manager of the Lacey’s Spring office as well.

The newcomer to elected office said she is passionate about her work.
“I love what I do,” Maxwell said. “I love my job. I love being able to manage the offices, and I enjoy being s servant of the people of Morgan County. I’m knowledgeable and I’m good at my job. I owe this victory to number one the Lord and also to the people of Morgan County.”

Maxwell said she wouldn’t let

herself think she had won the Republican nomination until she could be sure.

“I never really ever thought I had it won,” Maxwell said. “I wouldn’t take it for granted. It wasn’t until I got a text that 11 precincts out of 42 were in and I was already up to 1,036 votes that I realized it was really a possibility that I would win.”

Her decision to run in the election was one that she and her family made very carefully.

“I would never have run if Sue Baker Roan had chose to run again,” Maxwell said. “I wouldn’t run against her because she has given me so many opportunities to train in different offices, and I am really appreciative of all that she has done for me. If I get the position, I plan to run as long as I can- as long as I’m able to do a good job in the position.”

Maxwell’s campaign manager John Key was asked to speak after Maxwell’s victory during her election results party at Nature’s Trail Church in Priceville last week. He applauded Morgan County for selecting a Godly candidate and thanked all of her dedicated family and friends who supported her.

“Sharon has been a wonderful candidate to work with,” Key said. “She and (her husband) Johnny have worked tirelessly. We have to elect Godly officials because this country has gone down fast. We can change that now. Morgan County has elected a Godly person to serve in this effort.”

Maxwell only got emotional when she started thanking all of her supporters who helped her campaign.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for your help,” Maxwell said. “Everyone selflessly worked to make this possible. You all believed in me, especially my Johnny. I couldn’t ask for more from my family. All of them pitched in to get me here. We are going to take a break and then start again for November.”