Alabama Senate District 2

About this race

John Roberts (Republican), Rudolph Valentino Drake (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Sen. Tom Butler (Republican), the sitting member per the Legislature's roster, is not on the November ballot. No candidate reached a majority in the Democratic May 19 primary (Rudolph Valentino Drake 36.41 percent, Alex House 34.04 percent, Guy Sotomayor 29.55 percent); Rudolph Valentino Drake won the June 16 runoff with 53.5 percent over Alex House, per the Secretary of State's official results. Alabama primaries require a majority (June 16 runoffs); unopposed nominees still print. The field is the party nominee certifications filed with the Secretary of State (Republican amended list of September 2, Democratic amended list of August 24) and the Secretary of State's August 26 independent-candidate certification. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.