Two Republican attorneys are battling for a new judgeship in Shelby County

Voters in Shelby County are heading to the polls today for a high-stakes primary runoff election to determine who will fill the newly created position of district judge, Place 3. Republican candidates Ben Fuller and Jarrod “Jay” Welborn are battling for the seat.

The Road to the Runoff

This race follows a crowded primary where Welborn secured 7,733 votes (33.6%) and Fuller earned 6,831 votes (29.81%), according to official election results. They successfully outpaced fellow candidates Kendall Lee Cash and Mark Wilson to reach today's runoff. The Alabama legislature authorized this new judicial seat in 2024 to manage the county's significant population growth and rising court caseloads, as reported by the Shelby County Reporter.

Meet the Candidates

Ben Fuller is a lifelong resident of Shelby County and a graduate of Shelby County High School. An Auburn University and Birmingham School of Law alumnus, he has served as an assistant district attorney in Shelby County since 2015. In that role, he has handled cases involving violent felonies, drug trafficking, and repeat offenders. A founding member of the Shelby County Young Republicans and a member of the Shelby County Republican Party Executive Committee, Fuller describes his platform as centered on supporting law enforcement, public safety, Christian faith and conservative values. He emphasizes a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

Jarrod “Jay” Welborn, who originally hails from Mississippi, earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Alabama before graduating from the Birmingham School of Law in 2014. Throughout his legal career, he has managed a diverse array of cases, including criminal matters, municipal appeals, and civil litigation, according to his website. Welborn is a member of the Shelby County Republican Executive Committee and is campaigning on a foundation of faith, fairness and accountability.

Personal Backgrounds

Fuller is a member of the South Columbiana Church of Christ and has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 14 years; the couple has two children. Welborn is married to Erin Welborn, who currently serves as a Shelby County district court judge after being elected in 2022, and the couple shares three children.