By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Editor

Arnold Mooney won the Republican nomination for the Alabama State House of Representatives District 43 after defeating Amie Beth Shaver in a runoff election July 15.

Mooney received 3,796 votes, or 53.1 percent, with 12 of 13 precincts reporting as of 10:35 p.m. District 43 represents northern Shelby County and a small portion of Jefferson County.  Because there is no Democratic candidate for the district, Mooney will be unopposed in the general election Nov. 15.

“(I’m) thrilled and excited,” he said. “(I’m) thankful for all the volunteers making it possible. We’ve been blessed and are thankful for them.”

Mooney and Shaver were the remaining two candidates after a seven-candidate race in the primaries that featured Doug Clark, John Bahakel, Cheryl Ciamarra, Gina H. McDonald and Don Murphy.

Mooney, a Samford graduate who studied at the University of Oxford in England as well as George Washington University in Washington D.C., is a commercial realtor by trade.  He said he wanted to build upon the foundation set by former Representative Mary Sue McClurkin.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to try and make a difference and continue the great job Mary Sue has done,” he said.

Mooney also said he wanted to be known as a candidate who stood his ground on his beliefs as well as being consistent on issues.

“There’s a lot of issues facing the state,” he said. “I believe if you remain true to your principles, values and convictions, you’ll be able to be respected by people for being consistent.”

Calls placed to the Shaver campaign were not returned as of 10:45 p.m. on July 15.

Mooney said he hoped those in his district knew they could reach him easily.

“I’ll try to do what’s right to make people in our district proud,” he said. “My door’s always open.”