Baker, Murray set for June 16th runoff for Franklin County Commission District One seat

Franklin County District One Commissioner Grayson Murray will face Curtis Baker in the June 16, 2026, runoff for the Republican nomination for the seat.

A five-candidate field was whittled down to Baker and Murray after Franklin County residents went to the polls Tuesday, May 19th to decide who will complete the remaining two years of the District One commission term, vacated after the passing of Commissioner Michael Murray in May 2025.

Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Murray’s son Grayson to fill the vacancy until the next election cycle, which was the May 19th primary, where Franklin County voters will decide who completes the term that will end in 2028.

In a field that also included Jeff Fleming, Joey Norton and Miles Gaston, Baker was the leading vote getter, with 1,549 votes (41.09%). Murray finished second with 988 votes (26.21%). Fleming received 614 votes (16.29%), Norton 382 votes (10.13%) and Gaston 237 votes (6.29%).

Since no candidate received a majority, the two leaders will decide who wins the seat in four weeks. There is no Democratic nominee, so the Republican runoff will be the de facto election.

It’s a familiar position for Baker, who was the leading vote getter two years ago when the District One commission seat was on the ballot. Baker finished ahead of Michael Murray, but Murray won the runoff to earn the Republican nomination.

He later won the general election in November 2024.

Baker, a Phil Campbell resident and active community volunteer and school supporter, trailed Murray in early returns from Russellville and western Franklin County, but scored massive wins in Phil Campbell (150 votes to Murray’s 35), Spruce Pine (134 votes to Murray’s 29), Churntown (197 votes to Murray’s 18) and Union (138 votes to Murray’s 18) to surge ahead.

“That was something I really appreciate. Those communities, including Phil Campbell, Spruce Pine, Union and Churntown, are the people who know me best and they turned out in mass numbers and voted for me,” Baker said.

“Those boxes weren’t even close and I’m so thankful for that. We held our own in Russellville, did well on the west end, especially in Red Bay, so I’m thankful for the people of Red Bay. Now, it’s time to focus on the places we were weak in and make a hard charge between now and June 16th to get as many people out to vote as we can,” he added.

Baker’s strategy for the runoff won’t stray from how he’s run his previous campaigns.

“My campaign has always been and will always be 100% about Curtis Baker and about what I can do. It’s for voters to decide, not pressured by negative campaigning,” Baker said. “I’ll never say anything bad about any of my opponents. I think all four of my opponents kept this campaign first class, making it about the job and I appreciate and respect that.”

Murray received the most votes in all five Russellville precincts, in Tharptown, where he received 61 votes to Baker’s 27 and Saints Crossroads (38 votes to Baker’s 15).

“I’m real humbled by the community supporting me, especially in my home box. I’m thankful for the people who came out and voted and I was fortunate to finish second and move on to the runoff. I’m glad to get it to the next step. Now we’ve got to get out and do it again,” he added.

For Murray, learning the duties and roles of a county commissioner was admittedly a learning experience in his first few months of office.

While originally motivated by a desire to ‘finish what my dad started,’ Murray soon realized he enjoyed serving in public office.

“I knew a lot about the job going in because of being around dad while he ran and while he served for the six months he was in there. But knowing about it and actually doing it are two different things,” Murray said.

“Getting my feet wet in the job helped. And all those people who knew dad stepped in and helped me learn fast. Since I’ve been in office, I’ve learned really well and made it to all the meetings. I enjoy the role and it’s an honor serving the community. My dad served out of a genuine love for the community, and that’s why I’m doing this too,” he added.

With the woeful voter turnout Tuesday across Alabama (23.1%) and in Franklin County (23.1% with 4,550 of 19,681 registered voters casting ballots), Murray said each vote in what should be a close runoff will be vital with another low turnout expected.

“Even if you don’t plan to vote for me, voting is one of the most important things we can do and we need people to turnout June 16th.

“As far as why you should vote for me, I’ve been in there one year now. I love this county. I’m an honest guy who’s going to be there when you call me and I’ll always answer with the truth,” Murray said.