A stunning upset in Birmingham as mayor’s ally loses his seat to two challengers

A political shockwave hit Birmingham this week as a state legislator saw his bid for a full term derailed. Rep. Kelvin Datcher, a Democrat backed by Mayor Randall Woodfin, failed to secure a spot in the upcoming runoff, effectively ending his campaign in District 52.

The Primary Shakeup

Tuesday night's results left Datcher in third place with 1,964 votes, or 24.7 percent. GiGi Hayes emerged as the frontrunner, capturing 3,880 votes (48.87 percent), followed by LaTanya Millhouse, who secured 26.4 percent with 2,096 votes. With no candidate reaching the majority threshold, Hayes and Millhouse are set to face off in a June 16 runoff.

Hayes, an attorney, attributed her strong showing to an active campaign presence and her legal background. Reflecting on her path to the runoff, she noted, "On this campaign we’ve been making a lot of phone calls and people believe in me because I’ve let them know that I am going to be present. When they hear that I’m an attorney, they understand that I know how to navigate the law."

Issues and Endorsements

For Millhouse, the runoff represents a chance to pivot toward specific policy goals, including small business development, advocacy for grandparents’ rights, and the creation of transition programs for individuals exiting the penal system. "I’m excited. The people need somebody who is going to have their back and a voice at the table," she said. "Let’s focus on things that we can actually do."

The race saw a dramatic late-stage development when former longtime Rep. John Rogers publicly threw his support behind Hayes. During a call to the Gary Richardson Morning Show on 104.1 FM, the former lawmaker, who served for 42 years before being convicted in 2024 for his role in a kickback scheme, urged voters to elect a fighter.

Hayes credited the endorsement for providing a boost to her momentum, noting that learning what constituents valued in Rogers helped her refine her own strategy. Datcher, who succeeded Rogers in late 2024, could not be reached for comment regarding the results.

Analyzing the Upset

Observers pointed to a combination of campaign controversies and shifting political focus as reasons for Datcher's loss. Datcher faced scrutiny over his employment with the city earlier this year, a move that prompted questions about his eligibility under the Mayor-Council Act. While he resigned from his city post to pursue the seat, the distraction proved costly.

"Sometimes we take for granted when we are in office that maybe we don’t have to work as hard," said former Birmingham city councilman Steven Hoyt, who had supported Datcher. "We can become complacent."

Political activist Julia Siergiey Juarez argued that the Mayor's attention was divided across multiple races, leaving Datcher vulnerable without the same level of institutional backing he enjoyed during his special election win. While the Mayor saw success elsewhere—such as with the primary victory of Rep. Travis Hendricks in District 55 and Alicia Lumpkin in District 60—Datcher was unable to replicate that outcome on his own.

As Hoyt summarized, "Sometimes candidates depend on endorsements, but endorsements do not vote."