GOP Primary Gets Competitive In Pickens County District Judge Race

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A pair of well-known Pickens County attorneys are the first candidates to announce their bids in the Republican primary for Pickens County District Court judge.

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The GOP primary will see Aliceville attorney John Russell take on Carrolton attorney John Morgan Owens to fill the seat that will be vacated by District Court Judge David "Lance" Bailey when he retires at the end of the term.

Owens is a partner in the Carrollton law firm of McCool, Owens & McCool, with his experience ranging from estate planning and probate practice, to various high-value civil litigations. He devotes much of his time to the Pickens County Department of Human Resources in child custody and child protection cases.

“Pickens County needs a judge who is experienced, honest, and fair," Owens said. "The district court is the place where most people come to find justice; they need someone who knows the county and knows the law; I believe I am that person."

Russell is the son of John Russell III, who opened a law practice in Aliceville in 1978, and Russell joined the practice with his father in 2004. He has also also worked as a prosecutor and attorney for the City of Aliceville.

“I would be honored to serve as the next district judge of Pickens County,” Russell said. “I have lived in Pickens County all my life, practiced law for more than 20 years and have the experience needed to serve in this position. I am ready to take that experience and put it to work for the citizens of Pickens County in a fair and unbiased manner.”

Owens is active in the Republican Party at both the county and statewide level, including serving as chairman of the Pickens County Young Republicans that he helped found. Owens also serves on the statewide Executive Board of the Alabama Young Republicans, where he represents Congressional District 7.

“At every level of the judiciary, we need judges with a well-grounded conservative judicial philosophy,” Owens said. “I believe that is especially true at the trial level; a judge should stay in his lane, and never try to legislate from the bench. I commit to the people of Pickens County that I will apply my conservative judicial philosophy in every case, and follow the law without regard to status or position.”

Russell graduated from the University of Alabama in 2000 with a degree in business management and earned his law degree from the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in 2004.

"This is a decision I have made after much prayer," Russell said. "I believe that God has gifted me with talents and abilities that make me perfectly suited to serve Pickens County in this position and I believe God expects me to use those talents for his Glory. I wanted to share my press release with you all."

The primary elections are set for May 26, 2026.

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