2024 Election
Democratic Nominee Kelvin Datcher Could Sidestep General Election and Go Straight to the House
Kelvin Datcher will find out by the end of the month whether he’ll face a Republican opponent in the Oct. 1 general election for House of Representatives District 52 or be named to the position early.
Republican candidate Carlos Crum dissolved his campaign last week, and the Republican Party must submit a replacement candidate for the ballot by July 30 or it abdicates the election, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office.
If Republicans do not tab a candidate, Gov. Kay Ivey can cancel the Oct. 1 election and Datcher could be sworn in Aug. 2.
Attempts to reach Republican officials for comment were unsuccessful.
Tuesday night, Datcher defeated Frank Woodson for the Democratic nomination. With 20 of 21 boxes reporting, Datcher garnered 831 votes to Woodson’s 675, 55.18% to 44.82%.
Provisional ballots constitute the 21st box, which will be counted next Tuesday.
The special election was called to fill the District 52 seat left vacant when former Rep. John Rogers resigned and pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges.
Asked Tuesday night about possibly facing a Republican candidate, Datcher said, “I just take it as it comes, man. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”