Bryan Brinyark
Bryan Brinyark | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 16th district | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Kyle South |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 (age 55–56) Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | University of Alabama (BA, JD) |
| Occupation | Attorney, municipal court judge, farmer |
Bryan Brinyark (born 1968)[1] is an American attorney, judge and politician who serves in the Alabama House of Representatives, representing its 16th district since 2024. A member of the Republican Party, his district includes all of Fayette County, as well as parts of the counties of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson in the western part of the state.[2]
Education and early career[edit]
A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama,[3] Brinyark graduated from Central High School[4] and went on to attend the University of Alabama, where he attained a B.A. in advertising in 1990, before receiving a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1993.[1]
Entering law practice, Brinyark specialized in business, estate and divorce law.[3] Brinyark served as a municipal judge in Brent and Woodstock before becoming the municipal judge of Centreville in 2005.[5] Brinyark also served as a judge for the city of Tuscaloosa, where he presided over cases such as a solicitation charge against Tuscaloosa city councilor James Cunningham, of which Cunningham was found guilty.[6]
In 2014, Brinyark founded the law firm Brinyark & Frederick, which focuses on divorce law, in Northport.[3][7] Brinyark also chaired the Board of Tuscaloosa Shoot Sports Inc. and was the baseball president of Northside Park in Tuscaloosa.[8]
Alabama House of Representatives[edit]
Following the resignation of Kyle South in 2023, the seat for the Alabama House of Representatives's 16th district became open, and a special election was held. A first-time candidate for the Republican Party,[1] Brinyark qualified to run for the seat in July 2023.[9][10] Brinyark's main opponent was Fayette County commissioner Brad Cox, against whom he advanced to a runoff election in the Republican primary. Brinyark received the endorsement of the Business Council of Alabama, while Cox had been endorsed by the Alabama Education Association.[2] Cox won the first round of voting in September 2023 by 15 votes,[11] but Brinyark defeated Cox with 52% of the runoff vote in October 2023.[12][13]
Brinyark advanced to the general election in January 2024 against Democratic nominee John Underwood, another member of the Fayette County commission.[1] Prior to the general election, Brinyark also received the endorsement of the Alabama Farmers Federation.[14] Brinyark won the special election in a landslide with 83% of the vote to Underwood's 17%.[15]
Following his election, Brinyark said his priorities would include the expansion of Highway 43,[16] among other infrastructure projects.[3] Brinyark is also an advocate of school choice, and said he would support programs such as school vouchers.[3]
Personal life[edit]
Brinyark resides in Windham Springs, Alabama,[1] where he has run a small farm since the 2000s,[17] and is the father of five adult children. He attends the Northport Church of Christ.[14]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Rocha, Alander (January 8, 2024). "Republican Brinyark, Democrat Underwood vie for Tuscaloosa-area state House Seat". Alabama Reflector. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Moseley, Brandon (October 25, 2023). "Bryan Brinyark wins Alabama House District 16 Special runoff election". Alabama Today. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Willis, Alexander (January 15, 2024). "New member profile: Rep. Bryan Brinyark". Alabama Daily News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Everett, Grayson (October 13, 2023). "BCA backs Brinyark in District 16 runoff". Yellowhammer News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "BCA endorses Tuscaloosa's Bryan Brinyark in upcoming special runoff". Alabama Political Reporter. October 16, 2023. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Morton, Jason (July 22, 2005). "BREAKING NEWS: Cunningham found guilty of solicitation, files appeal". The Tuscaloosa News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Brinyark wins House District 16 Republican primary runoff". WVUA-23. October 24, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Hagan, Victor (January 10, 2024). "Alabama special election results: Brinyark, Kitchens prevail in House, Senate contests". The Tuscaloosa News. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Dethrage, Stephen (July 13, 2023). "Northport attorney Bryan Brinyark seeks vacant House District 16 seat". Tuscaloosa Thread. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Hollie, Jasmine (July 31, 2023). "Six Republicans, one Democrat qualify for House District 16 race". The Tuscaloosa News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Willis, Alexander (September 27, 2023). "House District 16, 55 special election candidates head to runoff". Alabama Daily News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Hollie, Jasmine (October 25, 2023). "Brinyark wins Alabama House District 16 special election runoff". The Tuscaloosa News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Willis, Alexander (January 10, 2024). "Brinyark, Kitchens win respective special elections". Alabama Daily News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "Alabama Farmers Federation endorses Bryan Brinyark for House District 16". Alabama Political Reporter. January 9, 2024. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Moseley, Brandon (January 10, 2024). "Brinyark secures landslide victory in Alabama House special election". Yellowhammer News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Rocha, Alander (January 9, 2024). "Bryan Brinyark wins House District 16 special election". Alabama Reflector. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Cox, Bradley (January 9, 2024). "Bryan Brinyark wins State House District 16 special election: 'I am ready to get to work!'". 1819 News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.