1978 Alabama Senate election

none 1978 United States Senate election in Alabama June 2026 1978 Alabama Senate election Alabama legislative no 1974 Alabama Senate election 1974 1982 Alabama Senate election 1982 All 35 seats in the Alabama State Senate 18 November 8, 1978 File:Joe Fine.png Joe Fine(retired) Alabama Democratic Party 2nd–Franklin January 14, 1975Bruer Frank Alabama Senate oks rule reform https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald/173510572/ 3 June 2025 Birmingham Post-Herald 15 January 1975 35 seats, 92.75% 34 35 126,341Does not include uncontested seats. 68.91% 3x4.svg — — — Alabama Republican Party 0 seats, 3.03% 0 0 55,814 30.44% Independent (US) 0 seats, 1.09% 0 1 1,183 0.65% File:1978 Alabama Senate election by vote share.svg District resultsDemocratic: #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% #3933E5 80–90% #0D0596 90–100% #08034a Unopposed President pro tempore Joe Fine Democratic Party (United States) Finis St. John Democratic Party (United States) 1 1 The 1978 Alabama Senate election took place on Tuesday, November 8, 1978, to elect 35 representatives to serve four-year terms in the Alabama Senate. While 35 districts were up for election, only nine saw Republican opposition.Eddins Don No Banner Year for State GOP; Women, Blacks Make Small Gains https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-huntsville-times-no-banner-year-for/173761631/ 3 June 2025 The Huntsville Times 12 November 1978 Both of the state's Black senators, U. W. Clemon and J. Richmond Pearson, won re-election, with the newly elected Michael Figures joining their ranks.Fox Al Legislature to take on new look after voters make picks https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-legislature-to-take/173975206/ 6 June 2025 The Birmingham News 5 November 1978 Primary elections were held on September 5, with runoffs on September 26. This election used the same legislative map as was used in 1974, utilizing single-member districts. Incumbent president pro tempore Joe Fine did not run for another term, instead opting for an attorney general campaign, which was unsuccessful.Lufkin Bouler Jean Graddick wins by big margin over Joe Fine (Jean Lufkin Bouler) https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-graddick-wins-by-big/173975800/ 6 June 2025 The Birmingham News 27 September 1978 Finis St. John was unanimously elected president on January 9, 1979.Rawls Phillip Legislature meets, shuns pay raise vote https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-legislature-me/173975518/ 6 June 2025 The Montgomery Advertiser 10 January 1979 Summary Party Candidates SeatsNum.Vote%1974BeforeWon +/– Democratic 35 126,341 68.91% 35 34 35 1 Republican 9 55,814 30.44% 0 0 0 Independents 1 1,183 0.65% 0 1 0 1 Total 45 183,338 100% 35 By district †: Incumbent did not run for reelection. ‡: Lost re-election. DistrictIncumbent PartyElected senator Party 1st Oscar Peden‡Since a February 1977 special election IndRan for re-election as a Democrat Bobby Denton Dem 2nd Joe Fine† Dem Charlie Britnell Dem 3rd Bingham Edwards† Dem Charles Martin Dem 4th Finis St. John Dem Finis St. John Dem 5th Robert Wilson† Dem Bob Hall Dem 6th Albert McDonald Dem Albert McDonald Dem 7th Bill King† Dem Bill Smith Dem 8th John Baker† Dem James Lemaster Dem 9th Sid McDonald† Dem Hinton Mitchem Dem 10th Gerald Waldrop‡ Dem Larry Keener Dem 11th George McMillan† Dem Dewey White Dem 12th Pat Vacca Dem Pat Vacca Dem 13th J. Richmond Pearson Dem J. Richmond Pearson Dem 14th Bob Ellis‡ Dem Mac Parsons Dem 15th U. W. Clemon Dem U. W. Clemon Dem 16th Richard Shelby† Dem Ryan deGraffenried Dem 17th Eddie Hubert Gilmore† Dem Doug Cook Dem 18th Lester Hill Proctor Dem Lester Hill Proctor Dem 19th John Teague Dem John Teague Dem 20th Donald Stewart† Dem Donald Holmes Dem 21st Ted Little Dem Ted Little Dem 22nd G. J. HigginbothamSince a February 1977 special election Dem G. J. Higginbotham Dem 23th T. Dudley Perry† Dem Mike Weeks Dem 24th Sam Adams† Dem Chip Bailey Dem 25th Crum Foshee†Since being reinstated in March 1978 Dem Wallace Miller Dem 26th Jerry Powell‡ Dem Don Harrison Dem 27th Fred Jones† Dem Bishop N. Barron Dem 28th Wendell Mitchell† Dem Cordy Taylor Dem 29th Earl GoodwinSince an August 1976 special election Dem Earl Goodwin Dem 30th Bert Bank† Dem Edward Robertson Dem 31st Maston Mims† Dem Reo Kirkland Jr. Dem 32nd Dick Owen‡ Dem Bob Gulledge Dem 33rd Mike Perloff‡ Dem Michael Figures Dem 34th L. W. Noonan† Dem Sonny Callahan Dem 35th Bill Roberts† Dem Bob Glass Dem Incumbents Successfully sought re-election 20em District 4: Finis St. John (Democratic) District 6: Albert McDonald (Democratic) District 12: Pat Vacca (Democratic) District 13: J. Richmond Pearson (Democratic) District 15: U. W. Clemon (Democratic) District 18: Lester Hill Proctor (Democratic) District 19: John Teague (Democratic) District 21: Ted Little (Democratic) District 22: G. J. Higginbotham (Democratic) District 29: Earl Goodwin (Democratic) Lost re-election 20em District 1: Oscar Peden (Independent) ran for re-election as a Democrat and lost the nomination to Bobby Denton. District 10: Gerald Waldrop (Democratic) lost re-nomination to Larry Keener. District 14: Bob Ellis (Democratic) lost re-nomination to Mac Parsons. District 26: Jerry Powell (Democratic) lost re-nomination to Don Harrison. District 32: Dick Owen (Democratic) lost re-nomination to Bob Gulledge. District 33: Mike Perloff (Democratic) lost re-nomination to Michael Figures. Did not seek re-election The following candidates retired or sought other offices:Fox Al State Senate to have a fresh look soon https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-state-senate-to-have/173970311/ 6 June 2025 The Birmingham News 18 June 1978 20em District 2: Joe Fine (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for attorney general. District 3: Bingham Edwards (Democratic) retired. District 5: Bob Wilson (Democratic) retired. District 7: Bill King (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor. District 8: John Baker (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran in the U.S. Senate general election. District 9: Sid McDonald (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for governor. District 11: George McMillan (Democratic) successfully ran for lieutenant governor. District 16: Richard Shelby (Democratic) successfully ran in Alabama's 7th congressional district. District 17: Eddie Hubert Gilmore (Democratic) retired. District 20: Donald Stewart (Democratic) successfully ran in the U.S. Senate special election. District 23: Dudley Perry (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for attorney general. District 24: Sam Adams (Democratic) retired. District 25: Crum Foshee (Democratic) retired. District 27: Fred Jones (Democratic) retired. District 28: Wendell Mitchell (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran in Alabama's 2nd congressional district. District 30: Bert Bank (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor. District 31: Mastom Mims (Democratic) retired. District 34: Red Noonan (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran in Alabama's 1st congressional district. District 35: Bill Roberts (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor. General election results District Democratic Republican Independents Total Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Votes Maj. Majority Mrg. Margin 5th Robert Hall 15,806 93.04% — — — Bill Kitchens 1,183 6.96% 16,989 +14,623 +86.07% 10th Larry Keener 14,324 67.18% Jimmy Dill 6,999 32.82% — — — 21,323 +7,325 +34.35% 11th Dewey White 16,300 70.56% James K. Watley 6,801 29.44% — — — 23,101 +9,499 +41.12% 12th Pat Vacca (inc.) 12,299 53.81% Evan Veal 10,557 46.19% — — — 22,856 +1,742 +7.62% 18th Lister Proctor (inc.) 13,565 66.76% Tom Longshore 6,755 33.24% — — — 20,320 +6,810 +33.51% 24th Chip Bailey 10,183 62.05% Richard A. Britt 6,228 37.95% — — — 16,411 +3,955 +24.10% 26th Don Harrison 15,526 77.30% Bob E. Allen 4,560 22.70% — — — 20,086 +10,966 +54.60% 27th Bishop Barron 15,751 75.82% Herbert Morton 5,023 24.18% — — — 20,774 +10,728 +51.64% 33rd Michael Figures 8,139 56.79% James B. Norsworthy 6,193 43.21% — — — 14,332 +1,946 +13.58% 35th Bob Glass 4,448 62.24% Danny Perry 2,698 37.76% — — — 7,146 +1,750 +24.49% Source: The Birmingham NewsFox Al Vote count ushers officials into posts with no surprises https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-vote-count-ushers-of/173763098/ 3 June 2025 The Birmingham News 26 November 1978 Elected unopposed The following candidates did not see any competition in the general election: 20em District 1: Bobby Denton (Democratic, inc.) District 2: Charlie Britnell (Democratic) District 3: Charles Martin (Democratic) District 4: Finis St. John (Democratic, inc.) District 6: Albert McDonald (Democratic, inc.) District 7: Bill Smith (Democratic) District 8: James Lemaster (Democratic) District 9: Hinton Mitchem (Democratic) District 13: J. Richmond Pearson (Democratic, inc.) District 14: Mac Parsons (Democratic) District 15: U. W. Clemon (Democratic, inc.) District 16: Ryan deGraffenried (Democratic) District 17: Doug Cook (Democratic) District 19: John Teague (Democratic, inc.) District 20: Donald Holmes (Democratic) District 21: Ted Little (Democratic, inc.) District 22: G. J. Higginbotham (Democratic, inc.) District 23: Mike Weeks (Democratic) District 25: Wallace Miller (Democratic) District 28: Cordy Taylor (Democratic) District 29: Earl Goodwin (Democratic, inc.) District 30: Edward Robertson (Democratic) District 31: Reo Kirkland Jr. (Democratic) District 32: Bob Gulledge (Democratic) District 34: Sonny Callahan (Democratic) Democratic primary results Democrats contested every seat in the state senate. Of the 35 incumbent Democratic senators, only 16 sought election (46 percent). Of the 16 who sought re-election: 5 were re-nominated unopposed; 5 won their primaries; 6 lost their primaries. Runoff results by district Candidates in boldface advanced to the general election. An asterisk (*) denotes a runoff winner who was the runner-up in the first round. District Winner Loser Total Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Votes Maj. Majority Mrg. Margin 1st Bobby Denton 15,490 56.02% Oscar Peden (inc.) 12,162 43.98% 27,652 +3,328 +12.04% 2nd Charlie Britnell 17,092 55.29% Bo Renfroe 13,819 44.71% 30,911 +3,273 +10.59% 5th Bob Hall 11,940 53.27% Earl Lynn Barnett 10,474 46.73% 22,414 +1,466 +6.54% 8th James Lemaster 22,727 68.50% Roger Killian 10,451 31.50% 33,178 +12,276 +37.00% 14th Mac Parsons* 12,912 60.65% Bob Ellis (inc.) 8,377 39.35% 21,289 +4,535 +21.30% 17th Doug Cook 17,025 60.37% Buddy Armstrong 11,178 39.63% 28,203 +5,847 +20.73% 19th John Teague (inc.) 12,774 55.87% Bill Atkinson 10,091 44.13% 22,865 +2,683 +11.73% 23rd Mike Weeks 14,833 55.46% Dale Segrest 11,914 44.54% 26,747 +2,919 +10.91% 24th Chip Bailey 12,356 54.78% Phillip Hamm 10,200 45.22% 22,556 +2,156 +9.56% 26th Don Harrison 13,615 54.13% Jerry Powell (inc.) 11,536 45.87% 25,151 +2,079 +8.27% 28th Cordy Taylor 14,676 53.34% Edward L. Turner 12,837 46.66% 27,513 +1,839 +6.68% 31st Reo Kirkland Jr. 14,898 55.02% Gene Garrett 12,181 44.98% 27,079 +2,717 +10.03% 32nd Bob Gulledge 16,074 61.01% Dick Owen (inc.) 10,273 38.99% 26,347 +5,801 +22.02% Source: The Birmingham Post-HeraldDemos to certify runoff results https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-demos-to-certify/173828045/ 4 June 2025 Birmingham Post-Herald 29 September 1978 First round results by district Candidates in boldface advanced to either the general election or a runoff; first-place winners with an asterisk (*) did not face a runoff. District First place Runners-up Others Total Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Votes Maj. Majority Mrg. Margin 1st Bobby Denton 9,837 39.81% Oscar Peden (inc.) 8,048 32.57% Bob Hill 6,825 27.62% 24,710 +1,789 +7.24% 2nd Charlie Britnell 8,064 24.91% Bob Rentroe 7,259 22.42% 3 othersJim McRae: 6,300, 19.46%; David M. Sibley: 5,744, 17.74%; A. W. Todd: 5,007, 15.47% 17,051 52.67% 32,374 +805 +2.49% 3rd Charles Martin* 11,347 53.86% Wesley Lavender 9,719 46.14% — — — 21,066 +1,628 +7.73% 5th Bob Hall 8,918 47.49% Earl Barnett 7,519 40.04% Buddy Todd 2,343 12.48% 18,780 +1,399 +7.45% 6th Albert McDonald (inc.)* 11,936 64.38% Wayne Tidwell 6,603 35.62% — — — 18,539 +5,333 +28.77% 7th Bill Smith* 11,213 63.72% Loretta Spencer 6,383 36.28% — — — 17,596 +4,830 +27.45% 8th James Lemaster 4,712 21.67% Roger Killian 4,613 21.22% 4 othersJohn Robinson: 4,049, 18.62%; Johnny Robinson: 3,028, 13.93%; Bill Freeman: 2,677, 12.31%; Bill Inman: 2,664, 12.25% 12,418 57.11% 21,743 +99 +0.46% 10th Larry Keener* 13,942 53.42% Gerald Waldrop (inc.) 8,538 32.72% Retha Deal Wynot 3,617 13.86% 26,097 +5,404 +20.71% 11th Dewey White* 12,102 81.61% A. A. Kelley 2,727 18.39% — — — 14,829 +9,375 +63.22% 14th Bob Ellis (inc.) 6,088 38.30% Mac Parsons 5,908 37.17% 2 othersPud Morrison: 2,650, 16.67%; Ralph L. Bryant: 1,248, 7.85% 3,898 24.52% 15,894 +180 +1.13% 15th U. W. Clemon (inc.)* 8,178 88.69% Phillip Lenud 588 6.38% TaRone Marquette 455 4.93% 9,221 +7,590 +82.31% 16th Ryan deGraffenried* 12,870 68.22% John Goodson 5,995 31.78% — — — 18,865 +6,875 +36.44% 17th Doug Cook 10,492 44.35% Buddy Armstrong 7,300 30.86% Byron Chew 5,865 24.79% 23,657 +3,192 +13.49% 19th John Teague (inc.) 9,050 48.27% Billy Atkinson 4,764 25.41% 2 othersPhil Bradford: 2,509, 13.38%; John Martin Patteron: 2,425, 12.93% 4,934 26.32% 18,748 +4,286 +22.86% 20th Donald Holmes* 12,151 51.57% Jim Main 4,999 21.22% 2 othersJohn Casey: 4,710, 19.99%; Robert Elders: 1,701, 7.22% 6,411 27.21% 23,561 +7,152 +30.36% 21st Ted Little (inc.)* 16,032 55.85% Larry Morris 12,675 44.15% — — — 28,707 +3,357 +11.69% 23rd Mike Weeks 9,368 40.80% Dale Segrest 8,755 38.13% Charles L. Weston 4,837 21.07% 22,960 +613 +2.67% 24th Chip Bailey 4,929 25.86% Phillip J. Hamm 4,032 21.16% 4 othersBilly Nolen: 3,886, 20.39%; Critt Snellgrove: 3,082, 16.17%; Don Hudspeth; 1,613, 8.46%; Justice Bigbie: 1,517, 7.96% 10,098 52.98% 19,059 +897 +4.71% 25th Wallace Miller* 13,635 54.17% Nathan Mathis 8,600 34.17% Nick Zorn 2,936 11.66% 25,171 +5,035 +20.00% 26th Don Harrison 6,970 35.58% Jerry Powell (inc.) 6,631 33.85% Bobby Bowles 5,987 30.56% 19,588 +339 +1.73% 27th Bishop N. Barron* 10,435 54.20% Don Camp 7,225 37.53% Clair Chisler 1,591 8.26% 19,251 +3,210 +16.67% 28th Cordy Taylor 8,162 36.40% Edward L. Turner 8,096 36.11% Gordon Allen 6,165 27.49% 22,423 +66 +0.29% 29th Earl Goodwin (inc.)* 14,323 60.59% John A. Lockett 9,316 39.41% — — — 23,639 +5,007 +21.18% 30th Edward Robertson* 13,174 62.30% Dawson Chism 7,972 37.70% — — — 21,146 +5,202 +24.60% 31st Reo Kirkland Jr. 10,675 39.59% Gene Garrett 7,192 26.67% 3 othersJ. W. Sales: 4,150, 15.39%; Buck Williams: 2,529, 9.38%; Tommy Chapman: 2,416, 8.96% 9,095 33.73% 26,962 +3,483 +12.92% 32nd Bob Culledge 10,963 46.37% Dick Owen (inc.) 8,051 34.06% Percy L. Beech 4,626 19.57% 23,640 +2,912 +12.32% 33rd Michael Figures* 6,480 53.58% Mike Perloff (inc.) 3,510 29.02% James McCullough 2,104 17.40% 12,094 +2,970 +24.56% 35th Bob Glass* 7,229 53.07% John M. Tyson 6,392 46.93% — — — 13,621 +837 +6.14% Source: The Birmingham NewsFox Al Two senators lose, five facing runoffs, seven win new terms https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-two-senators-lose-f/173768809/ 4 June 2025 The Birmingham News 10 September 1978 Nominated without opposition The following candidates were the only candidates to file for their district's Democratic primary District 4: Finis St. John (inc.) District 9: Hinton Mitchem District 12: Pat Vacca (inc.) District 13: J. Richmond Pearson (inc.) District 18: Lester Hill Proctor (inc.) District 22: Dutch Higginbotham (inc.) District 34: Sonny Callahan Republican primary results Republicans contested nine state senate seats. Due to a general lack of Republican candidates across the state, only one of these districts, District 11, required a primary. Results by district District Winner Loser Total Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Votes Maj. Majority Mrg. Margin 11th James K. Watley 3,004 71.64% Nick Kirst 1,189 28.36% 4,193 +1,815 +43.29% Source: The Birmingham NewsFox Al GOP primary drew 28,295 votes statewide https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-gop-primary-drew-28/173769387/ 3 June 2025 The Birmingham News 8 September 1978 Nominated without opposition The following candidates were the only candidates to file for their district's Republican primary: District 10: Jimmy Dill District 12: Evan Veal District 18: Tom Longshore District 24: Richard A. Britt District 26: Bob E. Allen District 27: Herbert Morton District 33: James B. Norsworthy District 35: Danny Perry 1975–1978 special elections District 19 A special election in District 19 was triggered by the resignation of incumbent Democratic senator Bobby Weaver after he pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges in January 1976.Weaver resigns Senate https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-selma-times-journal-weaver-resigns-s/176296061/ 9 July 2025 The Selma Times-Journal Associated Press 14 January 1976 State representative John Teague won the special election to succeed him. 1976 Alabama Senate District 19 special Democratic primaryMay 4, 1976Fox Al All projected winners apparently got nod https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-all-projected-winner/176294307/ 9 July 2025 The Birmingham News 7 May 1976 → John Teague Democratic Party (United States) 3,404 17.44% → Grover H. Whaley Democratic Party (United States) 2,838 14.54% R. H. Waid Democratic Party (United States) 2,612 13.34% Roy H. Coshatt Democratic Party (United States) 2,343 12.00% Jack A. Wallace Democratic Party (United States) 2,103 10.77% A. C. Shelton Democratic Party (United States) 1,975 10.12% Allen Hudston Democratic Party (United States) 1,920 9.83% Hubert Hubbard Democratic Party (United States) 1,313 6.73% L. N. Payne Jr. Democratic Party (United States) 1,015 5.20% 19,523 100.00% 1976 Alabama Senate District 19 special Democratic runoffMay 25, 1976Wallace acquires 4 delegates in runoff https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mobile-press-wallace-acquires-4-dele/176294453/ 9 July 2025 The Mobile Press Associated Press 28 May 1976 John Teague Democratic Party (United States) 5,552 62.49% Grover H. Whaley Democratic Party (United States) 3,332 37.51% 8,884 100.00% 1976 Alabama Senate District 19 special electionAugust 31, 1976Holmes Ralph Three officially ruled elected to Legislature; one of them sworn in https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-three-officially-rul/173863679/ 5 June 2025 The Birmingham News 9 September 1976 John Teague Democratic Party (United States) 2,774 79.60% −20.40% J. P. Mitchell Alabama Conservative Conservative Party (US) 711 20.40% New 8,884 100.00% District 29 A special election in District 29 was triggered by the death of incumbent Democratic senator Walter C. Givhan on February 18, 1976. Republican national committeewoman Jean Sullivan and businessman Earl Goodwin both sought the seat. An apparent miscount in Dallas County put Sullivan ahead, but Goodwin took the lead after the mistake was discovered. Earl Goodwin spent over $20,000 on his successful state senate bid, spending about $15,000 on advertising.Senate Bid Costs $20,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser-senate-bid-cos/173863554/ 5 June 2025 The Montgomery Advertiser 30 September 1976 In 1976, Alabama lacked any sort of provision providing for an automatic recount in a general or general special election. Sullivan considered contesting the results of the race into late September. On September 28, the deadline to file a recount, Sullivan stated that she would not contest the results, saying she "regrets that the recount cannot be done because so many people want to know the truth about the election."Maute Nikki Davis Sullivan won't contest Senate election results https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-selma-times-journal-sullivan-wont-c/173898672/ 5 June 2025 The Selma Times-Journal 28 September 1976Maute Nikki Davis Sullivan declines https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-selma-times-journal-sullivan-decline/173898639/ 5 June 2025 The Selma Times-Journal 28 September 1976 1976 Alabama Senate District 29 special electionAugust 31, 1976 Earl Goodwin Democratic Party (United States) 6,253 36.33% −33.12% Jean Sullivan Republican Party (United States) 6,161 35.79% New Joe Pilcher Jr. Independent (United States) 4,798 27.88% New 17,212 100.00% Democratic Party (United States) District 25 A special election in District 25 was triggered after incumbent Democratic senator Crum Foshee was forced to vacate his seat due to a mail fraud conviction. Radio station owner Wallace Miller easily won the special election. Over a year after Foshee's initial conviction, the Fifth Circuit Court reversed Foshee's conviction, ruling that he and his brother were entitled to a new trial. Under state law, lawmakers are disqualified from holding office if they are sentenced to prison; however, they "shall be returned to office" if a conviction is overturned.No contest likely on Foshee vote https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mobile-press-no-contest-likely-on-fo/173900868/ 5 June 2025 The Mobile Press Associated Press 22 March 1978Senate To Decide: Foshee Or Miller https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dothan-eagle-senate-to-decide-foshe/173864864/ 5 June 2025 The Dothan Eagle 21 March 1978 On March 21, 1978, the Senate voted to reinstate Foshee 29 to 0. Wallace Miller abstained from the vote, and there was no animosity reported between the two, with Lieutenant Governor Jere Beasley stating "it was like a mother choosing between two children."Fox Al Foshee regains seat in Senate but still substitute's friend https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-foshee-regains-seat/173900995/ 5 June 2025 The Birmingham News 22 March 1978 In the 1978 primaries, Foshee declined to run again, with Wallace Miller once again being elected state senator. 1976 Alabama Senate District 25 special electionNovember 2, 1976Miller easily wins Foshee's old seat in Alabama Senate https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-miller-easily-wins-f/173864874/ 5 June 2025 The Birmingham News 3 November 1976 Wallace Miller Democratic Party (United States) 20,270 79.57% −20.43% Mike Purnell Independent (United States) 5,203 20.43% New 25,473 100.00% Democratic Party (United States) + Motion to reinstate Crum Foshee Choice Votes scope="row" Yes 29 scope="row" No 0 Abstentions 2 Not voting 4 Crum Foshee reinstated District 1 A special election in District 1 was triggered after incumbent Democratic senator Ronnie Flippo resigned in November 1976. He was elected U.S. Representative in November 1976, but resigned from his state senate post early to allow for an earlier special election to take place.Flippo Leaving State Senate Early https://www.newspapers.com/article/alabama-journal-flippo-leaving-state-sen/173966388/ 6 June 2025 Alabama Journal 9 November 1976 Former Florence city councilor Oscar Peden, who described himself as an "Independent Democrat", won in an upset over Democratic attorney Jimmy Hunt, who was backed by the state Democratic executive committee and Governor George Wallace.Peden wins Flippo's seat over favored Demo Hunt https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-post-herald-peden-wins-flippo/173965790/ 6 June 2025 Birmingham Post-Herald 2 February 1977 Oscar Peden attempted to run for re-election as a Democrat in 1978, but was eliminated in the Democratic primary. 1977 Alabama Senate District 1 special electionFebruary 1, 1977 Oscar Peden Independent (United States) 6,009 52.44% New Jimmy Hunt Democratic Party (United States) 5,449 47.56% −52.44% 11,458 100.00% Independent (United States) Democratic Party (United States) District 22 A special election in Senate District 22 was triggered after incumbent Democratic senator C. C. Torbert Jr.'s election to the Alabama Supreme Court in 1976. Democratic member of the Alabama House of Representatives G. J. Higginbotham defeated independent Frank Roberts for the seat.Young Bert Higginbotham Easy Winner For Senate https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-opelika-auburn-news-higginbotham-eas/173864769/ 6 June 2025 The Opelika-Auburn News 23 February 1977 1977 Alabama Senate District 22 special electionFebruary 22, 1977 G. J. Higginbotham Democratic Party (United States) 3,649 71.77% −28.23% Frank Roberts Independent (United States) 1,435 28.23% New 5,084 100.00% Democratic Party (United States) District 18 A special election in District 18 was triggered by the resignation of incumbent Democratic senator Obie Littleton after his sentencing to prison for fraud.Thomas Rex Rep. Reed is found guilty, fined $500 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mobile-register-rep-reed-is-found-g/190684301/ 6 February 2026 The Mobile Register 23 July 1977 Lister Hill Proctor won the election to succeed Littleton. 1977 Alabama Senate District 18 special Democratic primaryAugust 16, 1977Democratic Race For Vacant Seat Won By Proctor https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-opelika-auburn-news-democratic-race/190678697/ 6 February 2026 The Opelika-Auburn News Associated Press 22 August 1977 Lister Hill Proctor Democratic Party (United States) 3,392 62.65% Frank Owen Democratic Party (United States) 2,022 37.35% 5,414 100.00% See also 1978 United States Senate election in Alabama 1978 Alabama gubernatorial election List of Alabama state legislatures Notes References Senate Category:Alabama Senate elections Alabama Senate Category:November 1978 in the United States