Stella Tipton announces candidacy for Probate Judge

Stella Tipton has qualified to run for Probate Judge of Shelby County in the Republican Primary, to be held on June 5.

Tipton believes that as chief election official for the county, the probate judge should be experienced in election law, according to her campaign announcement. Tipton was previously appointed to Shelby County Board of Registrars under Fob James’ administration. In that role, she gained hands-on experience in the election process, according to the announcement.

Tipton believes her leadership and experience will be an asset when handling elections, she said in the release.

“To insure the integrity of the voting process, Stella believes that there should be a commission of experienced and qualified Shelby County Voters who can participate in all recommendations made to implement new voting equipment, voting processes or the changing of voting locations,” Tipton said in her campaign announcement.

In regard to recent events, Tipton expressed concern regarding a recent vote to add additional electronic voter sign-in equipment, hardware and software. At its Feb. 26 meeting, the Shelby County Commission voted to implement electronic sign-in during upcoming primaries in June and elections later this year.

“Stella believes with the election three months away, it is risky to implement such a program at the last minute; it will require training and voter and poll worker familiarity,” the release said. “The equipment can help make the election process more efficient and it is the direction we need to go, but she believes it can be risky not to have had all this in place well before the election.”

Tipton has been practicing law for 32 years and is a graduate of Jones School of Law in Montgomery. In addition to her legal experience, Stella has been appointed as a standing master and mediator for the Shelby County Court, according to her announcement. During her years of practicing law, she also made decisions on Medicare appeals as a hearing officer and was responsible for rendering fair decisions by applying federal regulations.

Prior to practicing law, Tipton was in the insurance business, served as president of the Birmingham Health Underwriters and was involved in Magic Moments, a local nonprofit which grants wishes for children with serious health issues.

Tipton has also completed trial advocacy courses held at Harvard University and received the Alabama State Bar Continuing Legal Education award. She has been active in the Alabama State Bar Association, serving as a member of the Insurance Committee, for many years.

Tipton and her husband, Randy Tipton, have lived in Shelby County for 37 years. They have two sons, Billy and Sean. Tipton is also a member of Altadena Presbyterian Church, the past president of the Inverness Kiwanis Club, a member of the Shelby County Republican Women and a past board member of the Summit Foundations helping to develop recreational parts in Shelby County.

For more information, go to tiptonforprobatejudge.com.

-Submitted by Stella Tipton.

Allison Boyd has also qualified to run for Probate Judge.

To have a campaign announcement posted on 280 Living, email community editor Erica Techo at erica@starnespublishing.com.