Elections 2026: Candidates for Alabama State House of Representatives and Alabama U.S. Senate Candidates 2026

Primaries: Part 3 of 4

By Javacia Harris Bowser | The Birmingham Times

Democratic Candidates for Alabama State House of Representatives

District 52

Kelvin Datcher

Datcher currently represents Alabama House District 52 and is seeking re-election. As a representative he’s served on the Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee, House County and Municipal Government Committee and Insurance Committee. Before serving in the Legislature, Datcher held leadership roles with the City of Birmingham, Southern Poverty Law Center, REV Birmingham, the Jefferson County Department of Health, and Alabama State University. Additionally, he served as Chief of Staff for Birmingham City Council District 6 and worked extensively in community and economic development. Datcher was also the Alabama state director for the 2016 presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders. His platform and priorities focus on public education, affordable homeownership, economic development, healthcare access, and neighborhood revitalization.

Learn more at www.facebook.com/kelvindatcher.

Gigi Hayes

Hayes is an attorney, educator, and lifelong resident of Jefferson County. In addition to serving as a licensed attorney in the State of Alabama, she’s also a professor at Miles Law School. A wife and mother, Hayes calls herself an advocate for families and justice. Hayes is affiliated with several organizations including the Alabama State Bar Association, National Bar Association, Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and Black Women Lawyers of Alabama Association. She’s also a member of Rock City Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. ​ Her priorities include, public safety, affordable healthcare and affordable housing, economic opportunity and strong public schools.

Learn more at www.votegigihayes52.com.

LaTanya Millhouse

A lifelong resident of Birmingham’s Titusville neighborhood, Millhouse was the first Black president of the Alabama Democratic Women. In 2004, Millhouse founded the Alpha Omega Group, a nonprofit that aims to promote workforce development, higher education access, nonprofit advancement, and small business growth. Under the Alpha Omega Group, Millhouse has established other organizations, including Power in Heels, a leadership development program for women, and Ties and Tires, a program dedicated to teaching male youth how to dress themselves professionally and change a flat tire. Her platform priorities include affordable healthcare, economic revitalization, affordable housing, criminal justice reform, education and voting rights.

Learn more at electlatanyamillhouse.com.

District 54 

Joseph J. Holt

A minister and community developer, Holt has built over 50 homes across Birmingham through his company H+H Construction. After attending Woodlawn High School, Holt earned his GED from Jefferson State Community College. He went on to study at Lawson State Community College where he earned his certification in heating, ventilation and air conditioning before becoming a licensed home builder. In 2024, Holt launched the Holt Foundation for Change, a nonprofit that trains local youth in carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.

For District 54, Holt’s priorities include prison reform (including expanding rehabilitation and reentry programs), community development (including infrastructure improvement, support for small businesses and workforce development programs), and more opportunity for children (by strengthening schools and early childhood education, increasing mentorship programs and providing more mental health resources).

Learn more at www.helpjoesavedistrict54.com

Neil Rafferty

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Neil Rafferty has served as the State Representative for Alabama’s House District 54 since 2018. In the State House, he serves on the Health and Health Professions Committee.

A professed “fierce advocate for working families, marginalized communities, and common-sense solutions,” Rafferty’s priorities include improving healthcare by expanding Medicaid, lowering prescription drug costs, and saving local hospitals; boosting economic growth with living wages, strong unions, and 21st-century infrastructure; and expanding opportunities for all – regardless of zip code.

Learn more at www.reprafferty.com.

District 55

Jennifer “Jenny” Craig

Craig currently serves as President of the New Fairfield District 3 Neighborhood Association. As a certified electrician and a flight attendant, Craig believes her careers have given her firsthand insight into the challenges facing working families and the importance of dependable infrastructure, skilled trades, and economic opportunity. Craig is also an entrepreneur and through her campaign initiative, Jenny’s Local Love, she highlights small businesses across District 55.

Her platform includes strengthening neighborhoods, supporting small businesses, expanding workforce development opportunities, preserving historic landmarks, and improving infrastructure and resources for underserved communities.

Learn more at jennycraigforalhouse55.com.

Travis Hendrix

In October 2023, Hendrix was elected to represent District 55. A police officer with Birmingham Police Department, Hendrix has served as a school resource officer and on a public housing task force, which he believes demonstrates his commitment to public safety. Born and raised in Ensley, Hendrix attended Ensley High School and then completed a GED program, attended Miles College, earned a bachelor’s degree and continued his education with a master’s degree from Oakland City University. Hendrix is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Learn more at www.hendrixfor55.com.

Eric Major

Major previously represented District 55 in the State House of Representatives from 1998 to 2006.  He’s also served on the Fairfield Board of Education and has a law degree from the Birmingham School of Law; bachelor’s in political science from UAB and an associate’s degree from Jefferson State Community College.

Major’s platform includes Medicaid expansion, preventing utility rate increases, legalizing recreational marijuana, and increasing state funding for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

Learn more at www.facebook.com/mr.ericmajor.

District 57 

Shamyia Atkins

Currently serving as a sergeant in Corrections, Atkins has frontline experience in public safety and navigating the justice system. Additionally she holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Faulkner University and is pursuing a law degree at Birmingham School of Law. She believes legal expertise will equip her to advocate for fair, effective policy for the people she serves. In addition to public service, Shamyia is a school administrator for the Atkins Real Estate School, helping families and individuals find a path to homeownership. Her platform priorities include education, women’s rights, and public safety.

Learn more at shamiyaatkins.com.

Maria Ruffin Blackmon

Blackmon is a lifelong Jefferson County resident, nurse, and business owner. She attended Midfield High School before earning her nursing degree from Lawson State Community College. She later continued her education studying political science at Miles College, which she has stated strengthened her understanding of public service and policy.

Blackmon is the owner of several small businesses in Jefferson County, including Bistro on 19th, Everyday Sunshine Childcare Center, and Giggles and Wiggles Academy. Because of her work as an entrepreneur, she knows firsthand the challenges small businesses face. In 2015, she founded the Latch & Live Foundation to help families experiencing homelessness and economic hardship. Other priorities of Blackmon include education, youth development, and senior engagement.

Learn more at www.electmararuffinblackmon.com.

Patrick Sellers

Sellers has represented District 57 since 2022. He has served on several committees including the commerce and small business committee; insurance committee; constitution, campaigns and elections committee and legislation committees. Sellers’ career experience includes working as the pastor of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church and Cathedral of Faith Baptist Church and as an orthopedic first assistant. He served as the chief of staff to the president of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention and the chairman of the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority. Sellers earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Birmingham-Easonian Baptist Bible College in 2006, a master’s degree in ministry from Andersonville Theological Seminary in 2007, a doctorate in ministry from Andersonville Theological Seminary in 2008, and a bachelor’s degree in religion from American Military University in 2021. His priorities include public safety, community development, and support for schools.

Learn more at reelectpatricksellersfor57.com.

District 60

Juandalynn Givan

Representative Givan was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives on November 2, 2010, and is currently in her 4^th term serving District 60.

A Birmingham native, attorney, and business owner, she earned degrees from Miles College and Miles Law School before working in city government and founding her firm, Givan & Associates, which includes government relations and program management consulting services.  She is also a mentor and public speaker.

In the legislature, Givan has focused on issues such as public health, criminal justice reform, and local governance. As a State Representative she has served on several committees including the Constitution, Campaigns, and Elections Committee; the Fiscal Responsibility Committee; and the Jefferson County Legislation Committee.  In 2010, Givan was named professional woman of the year by the NAACP.

Learn more at www.facebook.com/juandalynn.givan.

Alicia Escott Lumpkin

A lifelong Birmingham resident, Lumpkin believes her 17 years of experience working for the City of Birmingham have prepared her to address many of the issues currently facing residents of District 60. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Logistics from the University of Tennessee and a Juris Doctor from the Birmingham School of Law, which she believes equips her with the legal and strategic skills needed to advocate for the people she serves. Her platform priorities include expanding economic opportunity, improving healthcare access, building safer communities, and supporting veterans. Lumpkin is a member of Israel Community Missionary Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Lumpkin, the niece of former Sen. Sundra Escott-Russell, D-Birmingham, the first Black woman elected to the Alabama Senate, has been endorsed by several organizations and local leaders, including the Business Council of Alabama, Jefferson County District 2 Commissioner Sheila Tyson and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.

Learn more at www.aliciaescottlumpkin.com.

Nina Taylor

A captain for Birmingham Fire and Rescue, Taylor has served in emergency response and public safety for over 22 years. Public safety and emergency readiness are two top priorities of her campaign. The Ensley High School graduate has advanced EMT training and degrees in occupational safety and health and fire science. An educator and mentor, Taylor’s platform also includes a focus on education and creating more opportunities for youth. She has also stated a focus on health, mental health and quality of life; jobs, trades and small business; infrastructure and community investment and accountability and trust in leadership.

Learn more at votefornina.com.

Alabama U.S. Senate Candidates 2026

Democratsc

Dakarai Larriett

• Age: 43
• Residence: Birmingham, Alabama
• Political Experience: First-time federal candidate
• Professional Experience: Pet care business owner
• Civic Experience: Small business/community involvement and LGBTQ+ advocacy
• Key Issues: affordable healthcare, reestablishing the Department of Education, community-based policing, investing in infrastructure and small business, unions and equal employment opportunity
• Fundraising: ~$129K raised
• Website: dakarailarriett.com

Kyle Sweetser

• Age: 37
• Residence: Alabama
• Political Experience: 2024 Democratic National Convention speaker
• Professional Experience: Construction company owner
• Civic Experience: Political activism
• Key Issues: Economic and political reform messaging
• Fundraising: ~$154K raised
• Website: kyleforalabama.com

 Everett W. Wess

• Age: 64
• Residence: Birmingham, Alabama
• Political Experience: First-time candidate
• Professional Experience: Attorney
• Civic Experience: Legal/community involvement
• Key Issues: affordable healthcare and economic opportunity
• Fundraising: Not widely reported
• Website: wessforsenate.com

Mark S. Wheeler II

• Age: 32
• Residence: Heflin, Alabama
• Political Experience: First-time candidate
• Professional Experience: Chemist
• Civic Experience: Not widely documented
• Key Issues: public education, worker rights, affordable healthcare, Congressional reform and Supreme Court term limits, economic development
• Fundraising: ~$17K raised
• Website: markwheelerforsenate.com

Republicans

Seth Burton

• Age: Not publicly available
• Residence: Alabama
• Political Experience: First-time candidate
• Professional Experience: Business development director; former Navy nuclear submarine commander
• Civic Experience: Military service
• Key Issues: state sovereignty, nuclear power expansion, lowering utility and fuel prices, cutting government spending
• Fundraising: Not widely reported
• Website: sethburtonforsenate.com

Dale Shelton Deas Jr.

• Age: Not publicly available
• Residence: Alabama
• Political Experience: First-time candidate
• Professional Experience: Cardiac surgeon; biomedical engineer
• Civic Experience: Medical/community service
• Key Issues: institutional accountability and transparency reform, anti-fraud enforcement, prescription drug reform, rural healthcare protection, insurance accountability, and healthcare innovation
• Fundraising: Not widely reported
• Website: americantruthdefense.is

Jared Hudson

• Age: 41
• Residence: Northern Jefferson County, Alabama
• Political Experience: 2022 Jefferson County sheriff nominee
• Professional Experience: Tactical training business owner; former Navy SEAL
• Civic Experience: Anti-trafficking and public safety advocacy
• Key Issues: Conservative platform emphasizing law enforcement and border security
• Fundraising: ~$1.4M raised
• Website: hudsonforalabama.com

Steve Marshall

• Age: 61
• Residence: Montgomery, Alabama
• Political Experience: Alabama Attorney General (2017–present)
• Professional Experience: Attorney
• Civic Experience: Statewide legal/public service
• Key Issues: Conservative legal agenda; law enforcement; immigration enforcement
• Fundraising: ~$1.36M raised
• Website: stevemarshallforsenate.com

Barry Moore

• Age: 58
• Residence: Enterprise, Alabama area
• Political Experience: U.S. Representative (2021–present); former Alabama state legislator
• Professional Experience: Small business owner
• Civic Experience: Public service
• Key Issues: Conservative platform; pro-Trump alignment; federal spending cuts; border security
• Fundraising: ~$2.17M raised
• Website: barrymooreforalabama.com

Morgan Murphy

• Age: 54
• Residence: Alabama
• Political Experience: Former national security adviser to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, press secretary to the U.S. Secretary of Defense in the first Trump administration
• Professional Experience: U.S. Navy captain, author
• Civic Experience: Federal policy involvement
• Key Issues: Conservative platform; pro-Trump alignment; strong national defense, America-first foreign policy, immigration overhaul and strict border control; opposing DEI initiatives
• Fundraising: ~$1M+ (including loans/committees)
• Website: murphyforalabama.com

Rodney Walker

• Age: 56
• Residence: Lineville, Alabama
• Political Experience: First-time candidate
• Professional Experience: owner of several businesses including general contracting firm, commercial real estate leasing company, and a wholesale fuel supply company
• Civic Experience: Business/community/law enforcement involvement
• Key Issues: infrastructure improvements, food supply protection, tax cuts on groceries and prescription drugs, supporting small businesses, Congressional term limits, support for veterans and seniors
• Fundraising: ~$1.99M raised
• Website: www.walkerforalabama.com

Compiled by Javacia Harris Bowser and Sym Posey for The Birmingham Times.