Voters in the 16th Congressional District, which includes Fayette County, northern Tuscaloosa County and parts of western Jefferson County, will head to the polls today to elect a new state representative.

Brian Brignak, a Tuscaloosa attorney and judge, is the Republican candidate. Brignac won a five-candidate Republican primary in September and ultimately defeated Fayette County Commissioner Brad Cox in the Republican primary runoff in October.

The Democratic candidate is Fayette County Commissioner John Underwood. Mr. Underwood has served on the Fayette County Commission for the past 23 years. He was the only Democratic candidate to qualify for the primary.

Former state Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette) will retire from Congress in 2023 to become president and CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.

RELATED: Brignac wins West Alabama special election

In October's Republican runoff election, Mr. Brignac received 1,706 votes (52.75% of the vote) and Mr. Cox received 1,528 votes (47.25%). In the first primary, the two were virtually neck and neck with several other candidates.

Mr. Brynjak, a Tuscaloosa native and graduate of Central High School, has served as a judge in Centerville since 2005. Mr. Brynjak has five children, all of whom are graduates of Central High School. He lives on a farm in Tuscaloosa County. This area is also what many of his HD16 voters call home.

“I am proud to have the NRA's AQ rating, the highest possible candidate rating,” Brignac said on Facebook on Saturday. “I am also pleased to announce that I have been officially endorsed by the Alabama Farmers Federation. Trust me as your trusted Republican voice!”

Underwood lives in Fayette. He is a part-time police officer at Bevill State Community College and has worked in law enforcement since 1995.

RELATED: BCA endorses Brignac in District 16 runoff

Underwood posted a photo with Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelly, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, and Alabama Democratic Conference Chairman Joe Reed.

Voting begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m.

“We need your vote once again to keep our district Republican,” Brignac said on Facebook.

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