Sewell, Palmer, Waggoner Win Re-Election in Alabama
Voters in Jefferson and Shelby counties re-elected three incumbents while several state House races remain too close to call.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Voters re-elected U.S. Representatives Terri Sewell and Gary Palmer and state Senator J.T. Waggoner on November 3, deciding races for the U.S. House, Alabama Senate and Alabama House. Unofficial results were still being counted, and some close races could shift in the final tally.
Why it matters
Because congressional and legislative districts cross county lines, the races on each voter's ballot varied by residence across Alabama. Tight contests in House Districts 15 and 47 mean final certified results will determine who holds those seats.
Waggoner won 55.98% (15,807 votes) to Spencer Stone's 43.90% in Senate District 16, while Hulsey led Brown 50.34% to 49.61% in House District 15 (8,744 to 8,617 votes). Results are unofficial and the House District 15 margin is within counting uncertainty.
The players
Terri Sewell
Terri Sewell is a Democratic U.S. Representative who has served Alabama's 7th Congressional District, which covers much of Birmingham.
Gary Palmer
Gary Palmer is a Republican U.S. Representative from Alabama's 6th Congressional District, based in the Birmingham suburbs.
J.T. Waggoner
J.T. Waggoner is a Republican member of the Alabama Senate representing District 16.
The details
Voters decided races for the U.S. House, the Alabama Senate and the Alabama House on November 3. Lance Bell won 64.81% in Senate District 11 and April Weaver took 60.45% in Senate District 14, while the Hulsey and Shaw contests in House Districts 15 and 47 stayed too close to call.
Timeline
- November 3, 2026: Voters cast ballots in the U.S. House, Alabama Senate and Alabama House races.
- November 4, 2026: Unofficial results were published while votes were still being counted.
Political Context
Alabama's districts were drawn in the 2021 post-Census redistricting cycle, and those lines determine which candidates appear on each ballot. Because the districts cross county lines, voters in neighboring areas can face entirely different contests in the same election.
Alabama voters should expect final certified results before races like House Districts 15 and 47 are settled, which determines who represents those districts. Residents of Jefferson and Shelby counties will see the same incumbents return to Congress and the state Senate.
The takeaway
Ballot contents in Alabama depend on district boundaries, so checking your specific district is the reliable way to know who is on your ballot. Watch the final certified counts for the closest House races before drawing conclusions.
Further reading
Explore more on Elections coverage across Alabama's congressional and legislative races.
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