The Democratic primary in the special election to replace longtime Alabama Rep. John Rogers is headed to a runoff.
Kelvin Datcher will face Frank Woodson in a runoff on July 16 to determine the Democratic Party candidate for the House District 52 seat representing parts of Birmingham and Jefferson County.
“We are overwhelmed by the support we are receiving from one end of the district to the other,” Datcher told AL.com. “I couldn’t be more excited with the outcome tonight.”
The candidate who wins the runoff will face Carlos Crum, the only Republican candidate in the heavily Democratic district, in the Oct. 1 special general election.
In Tuesday’s primary, Datcher, an assistant to Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and the city’s deputy director of community development, received nearly 38% of the vote.
Woodson, president and CEO of CityServe Alabama, a network of local churches, received just 18% of the vote.
“Tonight I feel great,” Woodson said. “Tomorrow we will come together as a team of leaders in our community and begin to listen to what people have to say.”
Turnout in the race was dismal, with only 1,344 of 34,231 registered voters participating. That’s just under 4%.
Datcher came out on top in the field of six candidates, receiving 510 votes. Woodson received 239 votes, edging out third-place finisher Latonia Millhouse by just three votes.
Woodson said the election results, including the large number of people who did not vote, showed residents want change.
“One of the things I wanted to run was a campaign for better business, better policies and a better community,” Woodson told AL.com. “We need to be clear about the message the majority is sending.”
This is Datcher’s first time seeking elected office after two decades in public service. He previously served as chief of staff to Sheila Tyson, who was a city councilwoman at the time. He also worked as a policy analyst for the Jefferson County Health Department.
Datcher said he has the skills and experience to forge a stronger relationship between Birmingham and the state government.
“There are many common conversations we can have with people on both sides of the aisle that would resonate with everyone in the state of Alabama, and sometimes you have to approach an issue from different angles to get to the same place. ” he told AL.com in a previous interview. “There are decisions made in public policies that have been a blessing to me and my family and this is an opportunity for me to try to contribute and give back to others who want to pursue their own dreams. ”.
Woodson previously served as executive director of Mission Birmingham, a faith-based community development organization.
He was appointed by former Governor Robert Bentley to the Governor’s Office of Faith and Community Service.
Datcher and Woodson knocked four other Democrats out of the race tonight: Millhouse, Dedra Campbell, Eric Major and Eyrika Parker.
This is the first time in more than 40 years that the district will have a new representative. John Rogers resigned in March after pleading guilty to federal corruption charges in a bribery scheme that also ousted another state lawmaker.
Prosecutors said Rogers misused public money intended for Jefferson County nonprofit agencies. State Representative Fred Plump also resigned and pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme.
Rogers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
He will be sentenced on July 26. Prosecutors have recommended that the judge reduce the charges and sentence him to 14 months of house arrest, followed by supervised release.
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