One Republican and two Democratic candidates qualified for the Senate District 5 seat on Jan. 7. Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, was the only Republican candidate to qualify. Ryan Cagle, co-director of Jubilee House Community, a progressive nonprofit ministry in Parrish, and Sarah Watkins qualified with the Alabama Democratic Party.

No Black Alabamian has ever served in the U.S. Senate. And only four Black lawmakers have been elected to represent the state since Reconstruction.

Alabama Senate District 5 includes all of Fayette, Lamar and Walker counties, along with a portion of Tuscaloosa County

Trump, who got almost two-thirds of the vote in Alabama, is the model for shaking up the political establishment.

The governor called a special election for Alabama Senate District 5 on New Year’s Eve. The seat was previously held by Greg Reed, and he was recently appointed as Gov. Kay Ivey’s senior adviser for workforce transformation.

Greg Reed, who held the seat and served as president pro tempore, is starting his role as Gov. Kay Ivey’s senior advisor to workforce transformation Wednesday. Ivey set the special primary election date for March 11. If necessary, the special primary runoff will be held April 8. The special general election is scheduled for June 24.

Candidates have from Jan. 14-28 to qualify, but some Tuscaloosa leaders have already announced their reelection plans.

Birmingham City Councilor Carol E. Clarke, who was elected in 2021 to represent District 8, will not seek re-election when her four-year term ends this year, she confirmed to AL.com. No other councilors have thus far announced their re-election plans. The primary will take place on August 26.

After Mike Johnson wins reelection The House and Senate will meet on Monday in a Joint Session of Congress to certify the results of the 2024 presidential vote.