John Roberts Criticized Rudolph Drake Over Stalking Case
Alabama State Senate candidates clashed over a 2022 stalking injunction granted in Florida.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Should a candidate's past legal record disqualify them from representing your community in office?
Republican state senate nominee John Roberts has criticized his Democratic opponent, Rudolph Drake, citing a 2022 court-ordered stalking injunction. The criticism centers on a legal finding that Drake stalked a woman in Duval County, Florida.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights concerns regarding the character and conduct of candidates running for the Alabama State Senate. Roberts argues that the documented stalking record makes Drake unfit to hold public office.
A Duval County court granted a final injunction against Rudolph Drake in 2022 following sworn petitions filed in November 2021 and May 2022. The court found Drake stalked Runettia Guess, who alleged he threatened to shoot her.
The players
John Roberts
He is the Republican nominee for the Alabama State Senate District 2 seat who has actively campaigned by knocking on over 10,000 doors.
Rudolph Drake
He is the Democratic candidate for Alabama State Senate District 2 facing criticism over a past stalking injunction.
Runettia Guess
She is the individual who filed sworn petitions in Duval County court alleging that Rudolph Drake stalked and threatened her.
The details
John Roberts, the Republican nominee for Alabama State Senate District 2, has used the court findings to challenge Drake's fitness for office. While campaigning across District 2, which includes portions of Madison and Limestone counties, Roberts has focused his platform on this record alongside traditional canvassing efforts.
Timeline
November 2021: Runettia Guess filed the first sworn petition alleging stalking.
May 2022: Guess filed a second petition against Rudolph Drake.
May 2022: A Duval County court granted a final stalking injunction against Drake.
November 3, 2026: Voters will cast ballots in the Alabama State Senate District 2 election.
Political Context
Opposition candidates often leverage out-of-state legal records to challenge a rival's character and eligibility for local office. While supporters may dismiss these as personal history, opponents frequently frame them as structural risks to public service.
Voters in District 2 must now decide how much weight to place on a candidate's past out-of-state legal injunction when casting their ballots in November. This information impacts how residents assess the character of their potential legislative representative.
The takeaway
Voters in District 2 are presented with a clear contrast as the candidates debate the relevance of past legal findings to future legislative performance. Residents should review official court documents if they wish to understand the specific allegations behind the injunction.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming election, visit our Alabama Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 1819 News.
Live Poll
Should a candidate's past legal record disqualify them from representing your community in office?
