Emily Niezer Johnston wins circuit judge race

Mar. 6—Cullman County voters elected Emily Niezer Johnston as their next circuit judge on Tuesday, giving her the victory over fellow Republican and local attorney Melvin Hasting in a competitive race that she nevertheless won decisively.

Niezer Johnston earned 8,797 votes to Hasting's 7,349, giving her a winning margin of 54.48 percent to Hasting's 45.52 percent. Both candidates appeared as Republicans in Tuesday's party primary election; with no Democratic Party challenger in the race, Niezer Johnston will face no further opposition on her path to becoming the 32nd Judicial Circuit's newest circuit judge.

"I'm overwhelmed. I'm very thankful, and grateful — and tired," said Niezer Johnston with a relieved laugh Tuesday evening, watching alongside dozens of local voters as the final of the county's 50 voting precinct boxes was tallied inside the Cullman County Courthouse courtroom where she'll soon take up her new role.

"All of us, we worked really, really hard, and I'm thankful for the community's support. I'm very grateful, and I look forward to working to better the community that I love."

Hasting, who appeared to at least have the race within reach as voting returns came in throughout the evening, thanked his supporters Wednesday for helping him wage a solid campaign.

"It's tough. It's probably more tough for my supporters than for me," said Hasting. "That's what I really hate about it: I had a lot of people who worked hard and campaigned very hard for me with a lot of enthusiasm, and would have liked to have been able to achieve a different outcome for them. I'm grateful for all of the support I received from a lot of good and hardworking people all throughout my campaign."

Niezer Johnston, who currently serves as the attorney for the Cullman County Commission, will replace outgoing two-term Circuit Judge Martha Williams, who by statue is ineligible to seek reelection under the state's age guidelines for judicial candidates. Williams said Tuesday that it had been an honor to serve alongside the county's three other judges and judicial staff.

"It has been great. I have really loved doing this," said Williams. "It's something I had wanted to do for a long long time. I have been really, really lucky to serve with these people. The other judges — just excellent people. Lisa McSwain and all of her staff in the clerk's office — you just couldn't ask for anybody more knowledgable or capable. The people I have worked with have been wonderful. and I'll miss it — there are parts of it that I really will miss."

Niezer Johnston will join presiding Circuit Judge Greg Nicholas to round out the 32nd Judicial Circuit's two circuit judgeships beginning in January 2025, when all elected state officers will take their oaths. The 32nd Judicial Circuit encompasses all of Cullman County, and concurrently encompasses the county in its entirety. Both circuit and district judges, including Niezer Johnston, are elected to serve six-year terms.

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 234.