Alabama’s state legislative elections this year are shaping up to be generally less competitive than previous years. Voters will see the fewest candidates, open seats, contested primaries, and contested incumbents of any election year since 2010.
Ten seats are open in Alabama’s state legislative elections this year, meaning no incumbents filed. That is the fewest open seats since 2010 and means newcomers could represent as little as 7% of the legislature next year. The average number of open seats each cycle from 2010 to 2024 was 26.
Thirty-three incumbents face primary contests in Alabama’s state legislative elections this year, 25.4% of the 130 incumbents running and the fewest of any year since 2010.
Thirteen of the contested incumbents are Democrats, and 20 are Republicans. For Democrats, that is up 30% from 10 in 2022. Contested Republican incumbents are down 20% from 25 in 2022.
Alabama has 45 contested state legislative primaries this year, down from 60 in 2024. The average number of contested primaries in Alabama each cycle from 2010 to 2024 was 66.
Eighteen of this year’s primaries are for Democrats, up 6% from 17 last cycle, and 27 are for Republicans, down 37% from 43 last cycle.
In total, 250 major party candidates filed to run—101 Democrats and 149 Republicans. All 105 House seats and all 35 Senate seats are up for election. The average number of candidates each cycle since 2010 was 289.
Alabama has had a Republican trifecta since 2011, after both legislative chambers changed from Democratic to Republican control in 2010. Republicans currently have a 76-29 majority in the House and a 27-8 majority in the Senate. Alabama is one of five states where representatives serve four-year terms instead of the usual two-year terms. While most states have some legislative elections every two-years, Alabama's full legislature is up for election every four years.
Alabama's state legislative primaries are scheduled for May 19.
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