A special primary election in Alabama House District 55 in Jefferson County has been set for Sept. 26, Gov. Kay Ivey announced today.
If needed, a primary runoff will be Oct. 24 and the general election will be Jan. 9, 2024.
The seat was held briefly by Fred Plump, a Democrat from Fairfield, who pleaded guilty in May to federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges.
“Those in public office must be held to the highest standard, and it is unfortunate that the good folks in House District 55 have been left without representation due to poor decisions made by the individual who formerly held this seat,” Ivey said in a written statement Thursday. “I encourage everyone in this district to get out and vote during this special election to ensure you have a strong voice advocating for you in the Alabama Legislature going forward.”
Qualifying deadlines for candidates in major political parties is July 25. Independent candidates and those from minor parties have until Sept. 26 to qualify.
Plump narrowly won in a crowded field of Democrats in 2022, barely beating incumbent Rod Scott, also of Fairfield. Scott on Thursday said he hadn’t decided if he’d again run for the seat.
Plump was accused of conspiring with a long-serving member of the House, later self identified as Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, to direct taxpayer dollars into Piper Davis Youth Baseball League, a nonprofit organization on which Plump serves as the executive director. Plump is alleged to have then given money directly to Rogers’ assistant as a “kickback.” Neither Rogers or the assistant were charged with any crimes and Rogers said Plump and the assistant had a romantic relationship.