A special election primary runoff is being held on September 1 for District 49 of the Alabama House of Representatives. Russell Bedsole and Mimi Penhale are running in the Republican primary runoff. The winner of the runoff will face Cheryl Patton (D) in the special general election on November 17, 2020.

The seat became vacant after April Weaver (R) resigned to become a regional director in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Heading into the special election, Republicans have a 75-28 majority in the Alabama House of Representatives with two vacancies. Alabama has a Republican state government trifecta. A trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and majorities in both state legislative chambers.

As of August, 57 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2020 in 26 states. Between 2011 and 2019, an average of 77 special elections took place each year.