From: Larry Caver

Old Autauga Historical Society

On Monday night, April 20, 2026, an old-fashioned potluck and political rally was held at the Jones Community Center in northwestern Autauga County. The old building, formerly known as the Jones Schoolhouse, was packed! Politicians from across the county and the state were on hand for the event. The event brought back memories of earlier political rallies at the same location in decades past when large BBQs were held.

The event was moderated by Melba McCullough Chandler, a longtime resident of the community. One by one, Melba called off each candidate’s name and invited those present to come forward and share why they should be elected to the office. Each candidate was given three minutes to talk. There were of course present all candidates or their representative for county sheriff (Cognasi, Harrell, McMatt, Thompson) and the three candidates for 19th Circuit Judge Place 5 (Carter, Ekdahl, Patterson). Another local candidate, Marshae Madison, was present. She is running for State House District 69 which includes Autauga, Lowndes, Wilcox, and West Montgomery.

There was a part of these candidates like Jack Williams, of Mobile County, Derek Chen, of Birmingham, and Case Dixon, of Jefferson County, candidates for higher offices. Jack Williams is running for the Commissioner of Agriculture. Derek Chen is running for State Auditor. Case Dixon is running for US Congress. Nicole Jones Wadsworth, of Winston County, running for Lt Governor, could not attend the rally but she sent her husband who stood on her place.

The rally also included a cake auction which is a fund raiser for maintaining the Jones Community Center. The cakes were homemade and were auctioned off to the highest bidder. No one attending the rally left hungry! It was a huge food fest with all sorts of meats, vegetables, casseroles, and desserts!

The folks in Jones are inspired by the public participation of the rally and look forward to other events down the road.