Runoff race for Alabama House District 52 seat happening Tuesday

BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) — On Tuesday, Birmingham voters will vote in a runoff election between Kelvin Datcher and Frank Woodson to choose a Democratic nominee for House District 52.

The election is due to fill the seat left by former Representative John Rogers, who resigned in March after pleading guilty to wire and mail fraud and obstruction of justice. Whoever wins the runoff will face Republican contender Carlos Crum in the Oct. 1 election.

Both Datcher and Woodson are first-time candidates.

Datcher, deputy director of community development for Birmingham, said that although this is his first time running for office, he has worked in public service for the majority of his career, which has allowed him to be involved in community development and economic development.

“If government can do some great things and help strengthen families, I want to be a part of that,” Datcher said.

Some of Datcher’s priorities include public education, access to healthcare and affordable housing.

“I’ve worked really hard to build relationships. I think that the most important thing we have to do at the state level is ensure that we’re speaking with one voice when we go to Montgomery, and I’m glad to be a part of that,” he said.

Woodson is executive director for Mission Birmingham, a nonprofit faith-based community development organization.

“We need to send the message that good people can be involved in politics,” Woodson said. “And so, I wanted to make sure that that next generation of men and women that maybe have been turned off by politics can see people that have high integrity and have been involved in the community come to the forefront and serve.”

Some of Woodson’s priorities include developing communities, strengthening families and providing educational opportunities.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Polling locations can be found on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website .

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