Two Democratic women are competing for an Alabama House seat today after beating incumbent

Voters in Alabama House District 52 are returning to the polls today for a high-stakes runoff to determine who will secure the seat. The contest features Democratic candidates GiGi Hayes and LaTanya Millhouse, both of whom successfully challenged incumbent Rep. Kelvin Datcher, D-Birmingham, during the primary.

In that initial primary, Hayes led the field with 3,880 votes (48.87%), while Millhouse secured 2,096 votes (26.4%). With no Republican candidates qualified for the general election, today’s winner is set to represent the Birmingham-area district.

Meet the Candidates

GiGi Hayes, a lifelong Jefferson County resident, is an attorney and professor at Miles Law School. She holds a doctor of law degree from the Birmingham School of Law, alongside a master’s in business administration and a bachelor’s in management from the University of Phoenix. With extensive courtroom experience covering everything from capital defense to white-collar crime, her platform focuses on infrastructure, fully funded public schools, and community-driven public safety solutions. According to her campaign website, she also prioritizes economic mobility and healthcare expansion via Medicaid. Hayes is a wife, mother, and member of both Rock City Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

LaTanya Millhouse, a lifelong resident of the Titusville neighborhood, brings over 30 years of community service to the table. A graduate of Western Kentucky University and Huntingdon College, she founded the nonprofit Alpha Omega Group in 2004. Millhouse highlights her background in housing advocacy, workforce development, youth mentorship, and her tenure as a former family court judicial assistant. As outlined on her official campaign site, her priorities include neighborhood redevelopment, transparency in utility management, and expanded literacy and career training programs for local youth.