When voters go to the polls on Tuesday, they’ll decide between eight candidates for three seats on the Dallas County Commission.

In district one, Jelani Coleman and Valerie Reubin are challenging incumbent Connell Towns Sr., who has served as a county commissioner for 15 years.

Towns, a 1978 graduate of Southside High School, has served as the production supervisor at Plantation Patterns for the last 17 years. He said he wants to bring jobs back to Selma and Dallas County and believes he is the best candidate.

“I have worked to meet the needs of the people for better roads, better education and community cleanup,” Towns said.

He’s going up against Coleman and Reubin, who have not held a political office before. Like Towns, both Coleman and Reubin are Southside High School graduates.

Coleman has worked for Tri County Investigation Security for the last five years and was raised in Dallas County. He attended Alabama State University and studied political science.

Coleman said having someone in office who hasn’t held political office before would be an asset for the community because it would bring a new perspective to the table.

“As a community leader, I can deliver a clear and crisp point of view,” Coleman said. “I have the passion for serving people and making sure I make the best decisions for them.”

Reubin has worked for West Alabama Public Transportation as a bus driver for the last 10 years. She has obtained degrees from Wallace Community College Selma, JP Tech and Herzing Institute.

She said the biggest challenges facing District I are a lack of trust and confidence.

“I would do my best to listen to the concerns of citizens in District 1 and work with public officials to implement programs or expand existing programs and services that improve the lives of our youth and senior citizens,” Reubin said.

Darryl Moore is going head to head with incumbent Curtis Williams in district 3.

Williams is a Keith High School graduated and earned three degrees from Alabama State University — a master’s degree in political science, certification in administration and supervision and a bachelor’s degree in government and economics.

He said the biggest challenge facing district three is unfunded mandates, which he said are often passed without funding by state and local lawmakers.

“I propose looking at ways to spread the tax burden by expanding our sources of revenue and finding new ones to keep up with increasing demands,” Williams said.

Moore, his challenger, has not held political office before. He graduated from Greensboro Public East High School and earned associate’s of arts and bachelor’s of arts degrees from Selma University. He has been a senior pastor for 32 years.

Moore plans to tackle many issues if elected, including finding funding for paving roads and increasing low income housing options for seniors.

“I would partner with the community, city leaders, state and national leaders to secure funds to complete needed projects in District 3,” Moore said.

In the fourth district, Raymond Butler and John Lumpkin are taking on commissioner Larry Nickles.

Nickles has eight years experience as a Dallas County Commissioner and is employed by APH, Inc. as the office secretary. He is an Orrville High School graduate.

“I would be the best candidate for this office because of my relationship with the people of Dallas County and the officials with whom I work,” Nickles said.

Lumpkin graduated from Keith High School in 1995. He’s also studied theology at Selma University. Lumpkin is self-employed and owns Picture Perfect Services and is also a pastor.

Neither Lumpkin or Butler have held a political office.

“I can relate to the people in District 4,” Lumpkin said. “I will work hard for the people if they have something that needs to be done I will try to get it done in a timely fashion. I will not be unfair. I will treat people the way I want to be treated.”

Butler has been a self-employed business contractor for 35 years. He said he hopes to see a large turnout from voters on Tuesday and vowed to work hard if elected.

“I’m a person that is dedicated to my work, working for the up-building of every aspect of county government … regardless of racial lines or gender,” Butler said.

Roy Moore, who represents district two for the commission, is running unopposed.

None of the districts will face Republican opposition in November’s general election.

Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.