Alabama Primary After-Action: Incumbents Fall, Trump’s Influence, and Redistricting Chaos ​

By Staff Writer May 31, 2026

​The dust has settled on the May 19th primary elections, and the landscape of Alabama politics has been thoroughly reshaped. On the latest episode of the BCS: State of Alabama podcast, hosts Christopher M. Peeks and Brandon Mosley sat down with former State Representative Perry Hooper Jr. to break down the surprise victories, stunning incumbent defeats, and the federal court bombshell that threw multiple upcoming congressional races into complete chaos.

​The Incumbent Bloodbath and the Desire for New Blood

​The biggest storyline of the night was the historic vulnerability of long-standing incumbents across the state. In Madison County, James Lomax secured a definitive victory over political veteran Mo Brooks. While Brooks campaigned aggressively, voters in the district overwhelmingly chose the younger, first-term representative, signaling a desire for fresh blood rather than a return to the political eras of the past.

​Madison County wasn't an isolated incident. The anti-incumbent wave swept through the Alabama Senate with shocking force:

​Senator Dan Roberts was defeated in a stunning upset.

​Senator Greg Albritton, one of the most powerful figures in Montgomery, was unseated by farmer Terry Waters.

​Representative Greg Pettis fell to a newcomer, shifting future leadership possibilities for the House Homeland Security Committee.

​On the Democratic side, standard-bearers fared no better. Longtime incumbent Juandalynn Givan was completely knocked out in a three-way race without even securing a spot in a runoff.

​The Unstoppable Weight of the Trump Endorsement

​If there was a single defining factor carrying candidates through tight primaries, it was the endorsement of Donald J. Trump. The panel highlighted John Wahl’s performance as the premier example. Despite the state establishment, major lobbyists, and trade associations throwing their full financial weight behind Wes Allen, Wahl’s grassroots campaigning coupled with the Trump endorsement completely altered the trajectory of the race.

​A similar dynamic is playing out in the Attorney General’s race, where Catherine Robertson overperformed expectations to lead the field. While early establishment polling suggested a different outcome, Robertson's strong media presence propelled her into a runoff against Jay Mitchell.

​In the highly anticipated runoff between Jared Hudson and Barry Moore, the structural dynamics of a lower-turnout election could heavily favor Hudson's movement-driven, emotionally charged campaign imagery. However, any direct intervention or endorsement from Trump down the stretch remains the ultimate wild card.

​Public Service Commission: An Anti-Utility Backlash

​The Public Service Commission runoff between incumbent Chris Beaker III and former State Auditor Jim Zeigler is shaping up to be a referendum on rising utility costs. Zeigler captured nearly 45% of the initial vote, capitalizing on a growing wave of anti-power company sentiment among Alabama consumers. The panel noted that nearly three-quarters of the state voted against the incumbents in the primary cycle, signaling deep voter frustration that Zeigler is well-positioned to ride directly into office.

​Redistricting Chaos: The Three-Judge Panel Bombshell

​Beyond the candidate matchups, a massive legal curveball dropped on election morning. A three-judge federal panel in Atlanta issued a ruling refusing to allow the state to use its 2023 redistricting plan, effectively freezing multiple congressional campaigns.

​The decision directly blocks the scheduled August 11th special elections for the first and second congressional districts. The panel viewed the ruling as an open defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court's prior emergency actions. Until the nation's highest court intervenes or the full 11th Circuit weighs in, major campaigns across the state remain entirely on hold.