These 8 veteran lawmakers lost in Alabama’s primary election
Incumbents from both parties came up short in their bids for another term.
Ethan Parker 
Alabama's primary election cycle saw a significant shakeup as voters opted for change, sending several veteran legislators home. According to unofficial results from the Secretary of State, incumbents from both sides of the aisle fell to challengers in a series of heated contests across the state.
Key Legislative Losses
The following long-serving officials failed to secure their re-election bids:
- Rep. Jim Carns (House District 48): After more than 30 years in the legislature, the veteran Republican was defeated by former federal prosecutor Lloyd Peeples. Peeples, who notably prosecuted Joran van der Sloot for the extortion of Beth Holloway, received the backing of the mother of the Mountain Brook teen who was killed in 2005.
- Rep. Juandalynn Givan (House District 60): The Birmingham Democrat, who has served four terms, lost her seat to challenger Alicia Escott Lumpkin. The race was marked by high-profile tensions, with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin supporting Lumpkin and a PAC linked to his allies funding attack ads against Givan.
- Sen. Dan Roberts (Senate District 15): The two-term Mountain Brook Republican was unseated by Scott Ortis, a pharmacist and educator.
- Sen. Greg Albritton (Senate District 22): The chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund committee fell to challenger Terry Waters, an Army veteran and farmer.
- Rep. Matt Simpson (House District 96): The Daphne lawmaker lost to Danielle Duggar following a race where Simpson issued a cease and desist letter against a PAC supporting his opponent.
- Rep. Phillip Pettus (House District 1): The Lauderdale County representative and retired state trooper lost his seat to attorney Maurice McCaney. Pettus, like Simpson, had previously challenged the tactics of the Alabama Values PAC.
- Rep. Greg Barnes (House District 13): The Jasper Republican was defeated by former teacher and coach Mike Elliott.
Additionally, Rep. Kelvin Datcher finished third in the Democratic primary for House District 52, heading toward a runoff between GiGi Hayes and LaTanya Millhouse. Datcher had been in office since winning a special election to succeed John Rogers, who was sentenced to federal prison on corruption charges.
Incumbents Holding Steady
Despite the high-profile upsets, many incumbents successfully defended their seats. Notably, state history-maker Sen. Jabo Waggoner secured another win in his primary. In Madison County, first-term lawmaker James Lomax fended off a challenge from former Congressman Mo Brooks.
Other successful incumbents include Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, Andrew Jones, Randy Price, Jay Hovey, Donnie Chesteen, Chris Elliott, and Sen. Kirk Hatcher, who shifted districts and won in the new District 25.
