Ivey Calls for Special Election to Replace West Alabama Senator

Governor Kay Ivey has scheduled a special election to replace a West Alabama state senator after she appointed the incumbent to serve in her administration, adding another race to an already crowded 2025 calendar.

Citizens of Tuscaloosa will already vote in municipal elections for the mayor and city council on March 4th, and all other cities and towns in the area will do the same in late August.

Now, voters will also be tasked with electing a replacement for outgoing Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, who represented Alabama's District 5, made up by parts of Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, Tuscaloosa and Walker Counties.

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Reed was first elected in 2010 and rose through party leadership, becoming majority leader in 2014 and president pro tempore in 2021. Ivey has appointed Reed to serve as her Senior Advisor to Workforce Transformation, and he will step down from his role in the Senate to serve.

“Senator Reed has been an outstanding partner as president pro tem of the Senate and will continue to be an integral leader in the state of Alabama, but he has left big shoes to fill in the state legislature,” said Governor Ivey. “Greg has effectively represented his district and I encourage the folks in Senate District Five to get out and vote during this special election.”

In a Tuesday announcement, Ivey set the special primary election for Tuesday, March 11, 2025, one week after Tuscaloosa's municipal elections.

In primary contests, if there are more than two candidates, the frontrunner must win an absolute majority vote to advance to the general election, not a simple plurality. If a runoff is necessary, it will be held the next month on Tuesday, April 8, 2025;

The special general election will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

Those wishing to qualify to run have a short window to do so - the deadline for major parties in January 5th at 5 p.m., and independent candidates have until March 11th.

For more coverage of the race as it develops, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.