Alabama Democrats flip four legislative seats in 2026 midterms

Alabama Democrats flipped four legislative seats in Tuesday’s midterm elections, while a Senate race in northeast Alabama between a conservative independent and a Republican incumbent was too close to call on Wednesday. 

Although Republicans maintain control of all constitutional offices and a supermajority in both chambers, the flips came amid a major shift toward the Democratic Party. Ballots cast for Democratic candidates increased in all 67 counties on Tuesday, according to election data, and represented one of the best nights for legislative Democrats in decades.

The party focused most of its efforts in Madison County, where one House and two Senate districts flipped. Allison Montgomery defeated incumbent Rep. Phillip Rigsby in House District 25, becoming the first openly transgender representative in Alabama. 

As of Wednesday morning, Montgomery got 12,456 votes (53.2%), and Rigsby got 10,929 votes (46.7%), according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office.

Montgomery’s campaign focused on improving public education and healthcare access. Rigsby and Republican leadership in weeks leading up to the election attacked Montgomery and Terri Osborne, a Democratic State House candidate in south Alabama, for being transgender. 

Rigsby’s reelection campaign focused on building on his first term, infrastructure and healthcare access.

Messages seeking comment from Montgomery and Rigsby were left Wednesday morning. Rigsby outraised Montgomery by a ratio of 21 to 1. According to campaign finance records, Rigsby raised almost $242,000 in cash and spent about $246,000. Montgomery raised about $11,400 in cash and spent about $19,600. 

In another Huntsville-area state Senate seat, voters chose Democratic nominee Jared Sluss over incumbent Sen. Sam Givhan in Senate District 7. Sluss got 30,255 votes (50.5%), and Givhan got 29,678 votes (49.5%), according to unofficial returns.

Similarly to his Democratic colleagues, Sluss campaigned on affordability, healthcare access and public education. He said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon the goal is not to flip the supermajority in the State Legislature, but to deliver to the people.

“I think it is a strong indicator that people are hungry for change. I think people want politicians who are going to deliver results and ultimately view their role as public servants versus theoretical policies,” he said.

At 29, Sluss will be the youngest member of the Alabama Senate. 

Givhan conceded in a statement posted to social media Wednesday morning. 

“We knew there were political headwinds in this cycle and I ran a positive, results-oriented campaign because I thought it was the right thing to do,” he said. “While I received many bipartisan compliments on my ads, regrettably, I came up a bit short last night. Of course, I will second-guess myself on strategy as I dive into the results, but now is the time for rest and reflection.”

According to campaign finance records, Givhan also had a cash advantage over Sluss. Givhan reported more than $704,000 in cash donations to Sluss’ $62,200. Givhan spent nearly $978,000, and Sluss spent about $45,500.

In a wide-open State Senate seat in Huntsville, voters chose Democratic nominee Rudolph Valentino Drake over Republican John Roberts in Senate District 2. Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, decided not to seek re-election. 

Drake had 34,585 votes (55.9%), and Roberts had 27,130 votes (43.8%), as of Wednesday morning. 

Drake campaigned on the rising cost of living, infrastructure and funding public education. Roberts prioritized workforce development, improving infrastructure and economic development in his campaign. 

According to campaign finance records, Roberts also had a significant cash advantage. He raised more than $843,000 and spent more than $775,000. Drake raised about $4,400 and spent about $22,000. 

Drake declined to comment on Wednesday. In a statement posted to social media Wednesday morning, Roberts thanked supporters. 

“It has been a privilege to meet so many people across Madison and Limestone counties, and I’m thankful for the friendships we’ve made along the way,” Roberts said. “While this campaign has come to an end, I look forward to finding other ways to serve and make a difference in our community.”

Further south, voters chose Democratic nominee Nell Brown over Republican incumbent Leigh Hulsey of Helena in House District 15 in Shelby and Jefferson counties. Brown got 11,042 votes (51.2%) to Hulsey’s 10,516 votes (48.8%), according to unofficial results. 

In a post on Facebook, Brown wrote, “Thank you, District 15. We did it.” 

A message seeking comment from Hulsey was left Wednesday afternoon. 

Hulsey also significantly outraised Brown in cash contributions. Hulsey reported about $206,000 in donations to Brown’s $11,000. 

In a northeast State Senate seat, an independent conservative Jesse Battles currently has a narrow lead over incumbent Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, in Senate District 10. Battles was removed from the Republican primary ballot before launching his independent campaign in April.

As of 11:16 a.m., Battles had 20,341 votes (49.85%), and Jones had 20,289 votes (49.72%), according to the Secretary of State’s office. 

Battles declared victory Wednesday morning in a statement posted to social media. 

“Northeast Alabama is my home, and representing the people and communities I love is an honor I will never take for granted,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who believed in us, stood beside us, and bubbled in Jesse Battles! I promise to work hard, listen, and fight for the people of this district.”

Jones on Tuesday night posted that the margin was within the threshold for an automatic recount, and did not concede. Under state law, that margin is less than one half of one percent.

“Tuesday night’s vote margin appears to be within the threshold for an automatic recount. Additionally, it is my understanding that there are a good number of provisional ballots still to be reviewed,” he said. “The principle of “one person, one vote” has always been the backbone of our democratic system. I ask for your patience as every vote is counted and as we ensure that no mistakes were made.”

Jones raised nearly $1.5 million to Battles’ $158,000. 

Unless Jones concedes and provides a waiver to the Secretary of State, a recount will be conducted within 72 hours of the election’s certification. Battles was ahead by 52 votes as of early Wednesday afternoon.