Kelvin Datcher is the Democratic nominee in the special House District 52 race.
Datcher defeated Frank Woodson in a primary runoff Tuesday with 831 votes, 55%, according to unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State.
Datcher is Birmingham’s deputy director of community development and his endorsements included Mayor Randall Woodfin and the Business Council of Alabama.
“It’s overwhelming to think that people would trust you with one of the most precious things that they can have and that’s their vote,” Datcher said Tuesday night, according to BirminghamWatch. “To represent them and give voice to their concerns, to invite me into their homes, to talk about the things that are important to them, things that impact their family and their future.”
Datcher now faces Republican Carlos Crum in the Oct. 1 general election. Crum is the only Republican in the race and got to skip the primary process.
The seat in the House is open because former Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, was forced to resign amid federal corruption charges in March.
Rogers pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. The charges are related to what federal prosecutors described as a kickback scheme that diverted money from a fund intended to pay for community projects in Jefferson County.
Turnout Tuesday was 4.4% of potential voters, according to the secretary of state’s office.