Democrat Kelvin Datcher Wins Runoff to Succeed Former Alabama Rep. John Rogers

Democrat Kelvin Datcher, Birmingham's deputy director of community development, won a runoff election to replace longtime state Rep. John Rogers.

With 831 votes or 55 percent, Datcher defeated pastor Frank Woodson, the president, and CEO of CityServe Alabama, a network of local churches.

“It is humbling and overwhelming at the same time,” Datcher told AL.com at his victory party at Hemings at the Thomas Jefferson Tower in downtown Birmingham. “I’m just so excited to have this opportunity to serve.”

Republican Carlos Crum dropped out of the race, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office, eliminating the need for a general election.

Woodson ended the contest with 675 votes or about 45 percent of ballots cast. Just 1,506 voters participated in the district with 34,245 registered voters, marking a turnout of under 5 percent.

“It’s overwhelming to think that people would trust you with one of the most precious things they could have, and that’s their vote to represent them and give voice to their concerns, to invite me into their homes to discuss things that are important to them, that impact their family and their future,” Datcher said.

The election brings a new representative to House District 52 for the first time in four decades after Rogers, once the longest-serving member of the state House, resigned and pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges earlier this year. The Jefferson County district includes parts of Birmingham, Fairfield, and Homewood.

This was Datcher’s first time seeking elected office after two decades in public service. The 54-year-old has previously served as chief of staff to Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson when she was on the Birmingham City Council. He also worked as a policy analyst for the Jefferson County Department of Health.

At the victory party, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin embraced Datcher in celebration.

Datcher said he brings the experience needed to build a stronger relationship between Birmingham and the state government.

"I want to make sure that we have great collaboration between our local elected officials, city councilors, mayors, and county commissioners and state elected officials,” he said. “The goal is to get them into a room, to spend time together, talk and feel comfortable sharing our ideas and visions about what makes our community great, then moving together and speaking as one voice when we get to Montgomery.”

In his victory speech, Datcher recalled his humble beginnings in Harpersville in Shelby County, where his mother worked to put him and his siblings through college.

Datcher encouraged his supporters to pay it forward by helping others as a tribute to those who helped them attain success.

“You didn’t get here by yourself,” he said, becoming emotional as he was surrounded by supporters and family. “So every day I wake up trying to do something for somebody.”