The 1978 Alabama Senate election took place on Tuesday, November 8, 1978, to elect 35 representatives to serve four-year terms in the Alabama Senate. While 35 districts were up for election, only 9 saw Republican opposition.[2] Both of the state's Black senators, U. W. Clemon and J. Richmond Pearson, won re-election, with the newly elected Michael Figures joining their ranks.[3]

Primary elections were held on September 5 with runoffs on September 26. This election used the same legislative map as was used in 1974, utilizing single-member districts.

Incumbent president pro tempore Joe Fine did not run for another term, instead opting for an attorney general campaign, which was unsuccessful.[4] Finis St. John was unanimously elected president on January 9, 1979.[5]

Summary

Party Candidates Seats
Num. Vote % 1974 Before Won +/–
Democratic 35126,34168.91%353435Increase 1
Republican 955,81430.44%000Steady
Independents 11,1830.65%010Decrease 1
Total 45183,338100% 35 Steady

By district

†: Incumbent did not run for reelection. ‡: Lost re-election.

District Incumbent Party Elected Senator Party
1st Oscar Peden‡[b] Ind[c] Bobby Denton Dem
2nd Joe Fine† Dem Charlie Britnell Dem
3rd Bingham Edwards† Dem Charles Martin Dem
4th Finis St. John Dem Finis St. John Dem
5th Robert Wilson† Dem Bob Hall Dem
6th Albert McDonald Dem Albert McDonald Dem
7th Bill King† Dem Bill Smith Dem
8th John Baker† Dem James Lemaster Dem
9th Sid McDonald† Dem Hinton Mitchem Dem
10th Gerald Waldrop‡ Dem Larry Keener Dem
11th George McMillan† Dem Dewey White Dem
12th Pat Vacca Dem Pat Vacca Dem
13th J. Richmond Pearson Dem J. Richmond Pearson Dem
14th Bob Ellis‡ Dem Mac Parsons Dem
15th U. W. Clemon Dem U. W. Clemon Dem
16th Richard Shelby† Dem Ryan deGraffenried Dem
17th Eddie Hubert Gilmore† Dem Doug Cook Dem
18th Lester Hill Proctor Dem Lester Hill Proctor Dem
19th John Teague Dem John Teague Dem
20th Donald Stewart† Dem Donald Holmes Dem
21st Ted Little Dem Ted Little Dem
22nd G. J. Higginbotham[d] Dem G. J. Higginbotham Dem
23th T. Dudley Perry† Dem Mike Weeks Dem
24th Sam Adams† Dem Chip Bailey Dem
25th Crum Foshee†[e] Dem Wallace Miller Dem
26th Jerry Powell‡ Dem Don Harrison Dem
27th Fred Jones† Dem Bishop N. Barron Dem
28th Wendell Mitchell† Dem Cordy Taylor Dem
29th Earl Goodwin[f] Dem Earl Goodwin Dem
30th Bert Bank† Dem Edward Robertson Dem
31st Maston Mims† Dem Reo Kirkland Jr. Dem
32nd Dick Owen‡ Dem Bob Gulledge Dem
33rd Mike Perloff‡ Dem Michael Figures Dem
34th L. W. Noonan† Dem Sonny Callahan Dem
35th Bill Roberts† Dem Bob Glass Dem

Incumbents

Successfully sought re-election

  • District 4: Finis St. John (Democratic)
  • District 6: Albert McDonald (Democratic)
  • District 12: Pat Vacca (Democratic)
  • District 13: J. Richmond Pearson (Democratic)
  • District 15: U. W. Clemon (Democratic)
  • District 18: Lester Hill Proctor (Democratic)
  • District 19: John Teague (Democratic)
  • District 21: Ted Little (Democratic)
  • District 22: G. J. Higginbotham (Democratic)
  • District 29: Earl Goodwin (Democratic)

Lost re-election

  • District 1: Oscar Peden (Independent) ran for re-election as a Democrat and lost the nomination to Bobby Denton.
  • District 10: Gerald Waldrop (Democratic) lost re-nomination to Larry Keener.
  • District 14: Bob Ellis (Democratic) lost re-nomination to Mac Parsons.
  • District 26: Jerry Powell (Democratic) lost re-nomination to Don Harrison.
  • District 32: Dick Owen (Democratic) lost re-nomination to Bob Gulledge.
  • District 33: Mike Perloff (Democratic) lost re-nomination to Michael Figures.

Did not seek re-election

The following candidates retired or sought other offices:[6]

  • District 2: Joe Fine (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for attorney general.
  • District 3: Bingham Edwards (Democratic) retired.
  • District 5: Bob Wilson (Democratic) retired.
  • District 7: Bill King (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor.
  • District 8: John Baker (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran in the U.S. Senate general election.
  • District 9: Sid McDonald (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for governor.
  • District 11: George McMillan (Democratic) successfully ran for lieutenant governor.
  • District 16: Richard Shelby (Democratic) successfully ran in Alabama's 7th congressional district.
  • District 17: Eddie Hubert Gilmore (Democratic) retired.
  • District 20: Donald Stewart (Democratic) successfully ran in the U.S. Senate special election.
  • District 23: Dudley Perry (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for attorney general.
  • District 24: Sam Adams (Democratic) retired.
  • District 25: Crum Foshee (Democratic) retired.
  • District 27: Fred Jones (Democratic) retired.
  • District 28: Wendell Mitchell (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran in Alabama's 2nd congressional district.
  • District 30: Bert Bank (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor.
  • District 31: Mastom Mims (Democratic) retired.
  • District 34: Red Noonan (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran in Alabama's 1st congressional district.
  • District 35: Bill Roberts (Democratic) unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor.

General election results

District Democratic Republican Independents Total
Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Votes Maj. Mrg.
5th Robert Hall15,80693.04% ——— Bill Kitchens1,1836.96% 16,989+14,623+86.07%
10th Larry Keener14,32467.18% Jimmy Dill6,99932.82% ——— 21,323+7,325+34.35%
11th Dewey White16,30070.56% James K. Watley6,80129.44% ——— 23,101+9,499+41.12%
12th Pat Vacca (inc.)12,29953.81% Evan Veal10,55746.19% ——— 22,856+1,742+7.62%
18th Lister Proctor (inc.)13,56566.76% Tom Longshore6,75533.24% ——— 20,320+6,810+33.51%
24th Chip Bailey10,18362.05% Richard A. Britt6,22837.95% ——— 16,411+3,955+24.10%
26th Don Harrison15,52677.30% Bob E. Allen4,56022.70% ——— 20,086+10,966+54.60%
27th Bishop Barron15,75175.82% Herbert Morton5,02324.18% ——— 20,774+10,728+51.64%
33rd Michael Figures8,13956.79% James B. Norsworthy6,19343.21% ——— 14,332+1,946+13.58%
35th Bob Glass4,44862.24% Danny Perry2,69837.76% ——— 7,146+1,750+24.49%
Source: The Birmingham News[7]

Elected unopposed

The following candidates did not see any competition in the general election:

  • District 1: Bobby Denton (Democratic, inc.)
  • District 2: Charlie Britnell (Democratic)
  • District 3: Charles Martin (Democratic)
  • District 4: Finis St. John (Democratic, inc.)
  • District 6: Albert McDonald (Democratic, inc.)
  • District 7: Bill Smith (Democratic)
  • District 8: James Lemaster (Democratic)
  • District 9: Hinton Mitchem (Democratic)
  • District 13: J. Richmond Pearson (Democratic, inc.)
  • District 14: Mac Parsons (Democratic)
  • District 15: U. W. Clemon (Democratic, inc.)
  • District 16: Ryan deGraffenried (Democratic)
  • District 17: Doug Cook (Democratic)
  • District 19: John Teague (Democratic, inc.)
  • District 20: Donald Holmes (Democratic)
  • District 21: Ted Little (Democratic, inc.)
  • District 22: G. J. Higginbotham (Democratic, inc.)
  • District 23: Mike Weeks (Democratic)
  • District 25: Wallace Miller (Democratic)
  • District 28: Cordy Taylor (Democratic)
  • District 29: Earl Goodwin (Democratic, inc.)
  • District 30: Edward Robertson (Democratic)
  • District 31: Reo Kirkland Jr. (Democratic)
  • District 32: Bob Gulledge (Democratic)
  • District 34: Sonny Callahan (Democratic)

Democratic primary results

Democrats contested every seat in the state senate. Of the 35 incumbent Democratic senators, only 16 sought election (46 percent). Of the 16 who sought re-election:

  • 5 were re-nominated unopposed;
  • 5 won their primaries;
  • 6 lost their primaries.

Runoff results by district

Candidates in boldface advanced to the general election. An asterisk (*) denotes a runoff winner who was the runner-up in the first round.

District Winner Loser Total
Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Votes Maj. Mrg.
1st Bobby Denton15,49056.02% Oscar Peden (inc.)12,16243.98% 27,652+3,328+12.04%
2nd Charlie Britnell17,09255.29% Bo Renfroe13,81944.71% 30,911+3,273+10.59%
5th Bob Hall11,94053.27% Earl Lynn Barnett10,47446.73% 22,414+1,466+6.54%
8th James Lemaster22,72768.50% Roger Killian10,45131.50% 33,178+12,276+37.00%
14th Mac Parsons*12,91260.65% Bob Ellis (inc.)8,37739.35% 21,289+4,535+21.30%
17th Doug Cook17,02560.37% Buddy Armstrong11,17839.63% 28,203+5,847+20.73%
19th John Teague (inc.)12,77455.87% Bill Atkinson10,09144.13% 22,865+2,683+11.73%
23rd Mike Weeks14,83355.46% Dale Segrest11,91444.54% 26,747+2,919+10.91%
24th Chip Bailey12,35654.78% Phillip Hamm10,20045.22% 22,556+2,156+9.56%
26th Don Harrison13,61554.13% Jerry Powell (inc.)11,53645.87% 25,151+2,079+8.27%
28th Cordy Taylor14,67653.34% Edward L. Turner12,83746.66% 27,513+1,839+6.68%
31st Reo Kirkland Jr.14,89855.02% Gene Garrett12,18144.98% 27,079+2,717+10.03%
32nd Bob Gulledge16,07461.01% Dick Owen (inc.)10,27338.99% 26,347+5,801+22.02%
Source: The Birmingham Post-Herald[8]

First round results by district

Candidates in boldface advanced to either the general election or a runoff, first-place winners with an asterisk (*) did not face a runoff.

District First place Runners-up Others Total
Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Votes Maj. Mrg.
1st Bobby Denton9,83739.81% Oscar Peden (inc.)8,04832.57% Bob Hill6,82527.62% 24,710+1,789+7.24%
2nd Charlie Britnell8,06424.91% Bob Rentroe7,25922.42% 3 others[g]17,05152.67% 32,374+805+2.49%
3rd Charles Martin*11,34753.86% Wesley Lavender9,71946.14% ——— 21,066+1,628+7.73%
5th Bob Hall8,91847.49% Earl Barnett7,51940.04% Buddy Todd2,34312.48% 18,780+1,399+7.45%
6th Albert McDonald (inc.)*11,93664.38% Wayne Tidwell6,60335.62% ——— 18,539+5,333+28.77%
7th Bill Smith*11,21363.72% Loretta Spencer6,38336.28% ——— 17,596+4,830+27.45%
8th James Lemaster4,71221.67% Roger Killian4,61321.22% 4 others[h]12,41857.11% 21,743+99+0.46%
10th Larry Keener*13,94253.42% Gerald Waldrop (inc.)8,53832.72% Retha Deal Wynot3,61713.86% 26,097+5,404+20.71%
11th Dewey White*12,10281.61% A. A. Kelley2,72718.39% ——— 14,829+9,375+63.22%
14th Bob Ellis (inc.)6,08838.30% Mac Parsons5,90837.17% 2 others[i]3,89824.52% 15,894+180+1.13%
15th U. W. Clemon (inc.)*8,17888.69% Phillip Lenud5886.38% TaRone Marquette4554.93% 9,221+7,590+82.31%
16th Ryan deGraffenried*12,87068.22% John Goodson5,99531.78% ——— 18,865+6,875+36.44%
17th Doug Cook10,49244.35% Buddy Armstrong7,30030.86% Byron Chew5,86524.79% 23,657+3,192+13.49%
19th John Teague (inc.)9,05048.27% Billy Atkinson4,76425.41% 2 others[j]4,93426.32% 18,748+4,286+22.86%
20th Donald Holmes*12,15151.57% Jim Main4,99921.22% 2 others[k]6,41127.21% 23,561+7,152+30.36%
21st Ted Little (inc.)*16,03255.85% Larry Morris12,67544.15% ——— 28,707+3,357+11.69%
23rd Mike Weeks9,36840.80% Dale Segrest8,75538.13% Charles L. Weston4,83721.07% 22,960+613+2.67%
24th Chip Bailey4,92925.86% Phillip J. Hamm4,03221.16% 4 others[l]10,09852.98% 19,059+897+4.71%
25th Wallace Miller*13,63554.17% Nathan Mathis8,60034.17% Nick Zorn2,93611.66% 25,171+5,035+20.00%
26th Don Harrison6,97035.58% Jerry Powell (inc.)6,63133.85% Bobby Bowles5,98730.56% 19,588+339+1.73%
27th Bishop N. Barron*10,43554.20% Don Camp7,22537.53% Clair Chisler1,5918.26% 19,251+3,210+16.67%
28th Cordy Taylor8,16236.40% Edward L. Turner8,09636.11% Gordon Allen6,16527.49% 22,423+66+0.29%
29th Earl Goodwin (inc.)*14,32360.59% John A. Lockett9,31639.41% ——— 23,639+5,007+21.18%
30th Edward Robertson*13,17462.30% Dawson Chism7,97237.70% ——— 21,146+5,202+24.60%
31st Reo Kirkland Jr.10,67539.59% Gene Garrett7,19226.67% 3 others[m]9,09533.73% 26,962+3,483+12.92%
32nd Bob Culledge10,96346.37% Dick Owen (inc.)8,05134.06% Percy L. Beech4,62619.57% 23,640+2,912+12.32%
33rd Michael Figures*6,48053.58% Mike Perloff (inc.)3,51029.02% James McCullough2,10417.40% 12,094+2,970+24.56%
35th Bob Glass*7,22953.07% John M. Tyson6,39246.93% ——— 13,621+837+6.14%
Source: The Birmingham News[9]

Nominated without opposition

The following candidates were the only candidates to file for their district's Democratic primary

  • District 4: Finis St. John (inc.)
  • District 9: Hinton Mitchem
  • District 12: Pat Vacca (inc.)
  • District 13: J. Richmond Pearson (inc.)
  • District 18: Lester Hill Proctor (inc.)
  • District 22: Dutch Higginbotham (inc.)
  • District 34: Sonny Callahan

Republican primary results

Republicans contested nine state senate seats. Due to a general lack of Republican candidates across the state, only one of these districts, District 11, required a primary.

Results by district

District Winner Loser Total
Candidate Votes % Candidate Votes % Votes Maj. Mrg.
11th James K. Watley3,00471.64% Nick Kirst1,18928.36% 4,193+1,815+43.29%
Source: The Birmingham News[10]

Nominated without opposition

The following candidates were the only candidates to file for their district's Republican primary:

  • District 10: Jimmy Dill
  • District 12: Evan Veal
  • District 18: Tom Longshore
  • District 24: Richard A. Britt
  • District 26: Bob E. Allen
  • District 27: Herbert Morton
  • District 33: James B. Norsworthy
  • District 35: Danny Perry

1975–1978 special elections

District 19

A special election in District 19 was triggered by the resignation of incumbent Democratic senator Bobby Weaver after he pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges in January 1976.[11] State representative John Teague won the special election to succeed him.

1976 Alabama Senate District 19 special Democratic primary
May 4, 1976[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic → John Teague 3,404 17.44%
Democratic → Grover H. Whaley 2,838 14.54%
Democratic R. H. Waid 2,612 13.34%
Democratic Roy H. Coshatt 2,343 12.00%
Democratic Jack A. Wallace 2,103 10.77%
Democratic A. C. Shelton 1,975 10.12%
Democratic Allen Hudston 1,920 9.83%
Democratic Hubert Hubbard 1,313 6.73%
Democratic L. N. Payne Jr. 1,015 5.20%
Total votes 19,523 100.00%
1976 Alabama Senate District 19 special Democratic runoff
May 25, 1976[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Teague 5,552 62.49%
Democratic Grover H. Whaley 3,332 37.51%
Total votes 8,884 100.00%
1976 Alabama Senate District 19 special election
August 31, 1976[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Teague 2,774 79.60% −20.40%
Alabama Conservative J. P. Mitchell 711 20.40% New
Total votes 8,884 100.00%

District 29

A special election in District 29 was triggered by the death of incumbent Democratic senator Walter C. Givhan on February 18, 1976. Republican national committeewoman Jean Sullivan and businessman Earl Goodwin both sought the seat. An apparent miscount in Dallas County put Sullivan ahead, but Goodwin took the lead after the mistake was discovered. Earl Goodwin spent over $20,000 on his successful state senate bid, spending about $15,000 on advertising.[15] In 1976, Alabama lacked any sort of provision providing for an automatic recount in a general or general special election. Sullivan considered contesting the results of the race into late September. On September 28, the deadline to file a recount, Sullivan stated that she would not contest the results, saying she "regrets that the recount cannot be done because so many people want to know the truth about the election."[16][17]

1976 Alabama Senate District 29 special election
August 31, 1976[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Earl Goodwin 6,253 36.33% −33.12%
Republican Jean Sullivan 6,161 35.79% New
Independent Joe Pilcher Jr. 4,798 27.88% New
Total votes 17,212 100.00%
Democratic hold

District 25

A special election in District 25 was triggered after incumbent Democratic senator Crum Foshee was forced to vacate his seat due to a mail fraud conviction. Radio station owner Wallace Miller easily won the special election. Over a year after Foshee's initial conviction, the Fifth Circuit Court reversed Foshee's conviction, ruling that he and his brother were entitled to a new trial. Under state law, lawmakers are disqualified from holding office if they are sentenced to prison, however they "shall be returned to office" if a conviction is overturned.[19][20] On March 21, 1978, the Senate voted to reinstate Foshee 29 to 0. Wallace Miller abstained from the vote, and there was no animosity reported between the two, with Lieutenant governor Jere Beasley stating "it was like a mother choosing between two children."[21] In the 1978 primaries, Foshee declined to run again, with Wallace Miller once again being elected state senator.

1976 Alabama Senate District 25 special election
November 2, 1976[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Wallace Miller 20,270 79.57% −20.43%
Independent Mike Purnell 5,203 20.43% New
Total votes 25,473 100.00%
Democratic hold
Motion to reinstate Crum Foshee
Choice Votes
checkY Yes 29
X markN No 0
Abstentions 2
Not voting 4
Crum Foshee reinstated

District 1

A special election in District 1 was triggered after incumbent Democratic senator Ronnie Flippo resigned in November 1976. He was elected U.S. Representative in November 1976, but resigned from his state senate post early to allow for an earlier special election to take place.[23] Former Florence city councilor Oscar Peden, who described himself as an "Independent Democrat", won in an upset over Democratic attorney Jimmy Hunt, who was backed by the state Democratic executive committee and governor George Wallace.[24] Oscar Peden attempted to run for re-election as a Democrat in 1978, but was eliminated in the Democratic primary.

1977 Alabama Senate District 1 special election
February 1, 1977
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Oscar Peden 6,009 52.44% New
Democratic Jimmy Hunt 5,449 47.56% −52.44%
Total votes 11,458 100.00%
Independent gain from Democratic

District 22

A special election in Senate District 22 was triggered after incumbent Democratic senator C. C. Torbert Jr.'s election to the Alabama Supreme Court in 1976. Democratic member of the Alabama House of Representatives G. J. Higginbotham defeated independent Frank Roberts for the seat.[25]

1977 Alabama Senate District 22 special election
February 22, 1977
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic G. J. Higginbotham 3,649 71.77% −28.23%
Independent Frank Roberts 1,435 28.23% New
Total votes 5,084 100.00%
Democratic hold

District 18

A special election in District 18 was triggered by the resignation of incumbent Democratic senator Obie Littleton after his sentencing to prison for fraud.[26] Lister Hill Proctor won the election to succeed Littleton.

1977 Alabama Senate District 18 special Democratic primary
August 16, 1977[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lister Hill Proctor 3,392 62.65%
Democratic Frank Owen 2,022 37.35%
Total votes 5,414 100.00%

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Does not include uncontested seats.
  2. ↑ Since a February 1977 special election
  3. ↑ Ran for re-election as a Democrat
  4. ↑ Since a February 1977 special election
  5. ↑ Since being reinstated in March 1978
  6. ↑ Since an August 1976 special election
  7. ↑ Jim McRae: 6,300, 19.46%; David M. Sibley: 5,744, 17.74%; A. W. Todd: 5,007, 15.47%
  8. ↑ John Robinson: 4,049, 18.62%; Johnny Robinson: 3,028, 13.93%; Bill Freeman: 2,677, 12.31%; Bill Inman: 2,664, 12.25%
  9. ↑ Pud Morrison: 2,650, 16.67%; Ralph L. Bryant: 1,248, 7.85%
  10. ↑ Phil Bradford: 2,509, 13.38%; John Martin Patteron: 2,425, 12.93%
  11. ↑ John Casey: 4,710, 19.99%; Robert Elders: 1,701, 7.22%
  12. ↑ Billy Nolen: 3,886, 20.39%; Critt Snellgrove: 3,082, 16.17%; Don Hudspeth; 1,613, 8.46%; Justice Bigbie: 1,517, 7.96%
  13. ↑ J. W. Sales: 4,150, 15.39%; Buck Williams: 2,529, 9.38%; Tommy Chapman: 2,416, 8.96%

References

  1. ↑ Bruer, Frank (15 January 1975). "Alabama Senate oks rule reform". Birmingham Post-Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  2. ↑ Eddins, Don (12 November 1978). "No Banner Year for State GOP; Women, Blacks Make Small Gains". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  3. ↑ Fox, Al (5 November 1978). "Legislature to take on new look after voters make picks". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  4. ↑ Lufkin Bouler, Jean (27 September 1978). "Graddick wins by big margin over Joe Fine (Jean Lufkin Bouler)". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  5. ↑ Rawls, Phillip (10 January 1979). "Legislature meets, shuns pay raise vote". The Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  6. ↑ Fox, Al (18 June 1978). "State Senate to have a fresh look soon". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  7. ↑ Fox, Al (26 November 1978). "Vote count ushers officials into posts with no surprises". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  8. ↑ "Demos to certify runoff results". Birmingham Post-Herald. 29 September 1978. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  9. ↑ Fox, Al (10 September 1978). "Two senators lose, five facing runoffs, seven win new terms". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  10. ↑ Fox, Al (8 September 1978). "GOP primary drew 28,295 votes statewide". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  11. ↑ "Weaver resigns Senate". The Selma Times-Journal. Associated Press. 14 January 1976. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  12. ↑ Fox, Al (7 May 1976). "All projected winners apparently got nod". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  13. ↑ "Wallace acquires 4 delegates in runoff". The Mobile Press. Associated Press. 28 May 1976. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  14. ↑ Holmes, Ralph (9 September 1976). "Three officially ruled elected to Legislature; one of them sworn in". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  15. ↑ "Senate Bid Costs $20,000". The Montgomery Advertiser. 30 September 1976. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  16. ↑ Maute, Nikki Davis (28 September 1976). "Sullivan won't contest Senate election results". The Selma Times-Journal. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  17. ↑ Maute, Nikki Davis (28 September 1976). "Sullivan declines". The Selma Times-Journal. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  18. ↑ Holmes, Ralph (9 September 1976). "Three officially ruled elected to Legislature; one of them sworn in". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  19. ↑ "No contest likely on Foshee vote". The Mobile Press. Associated Press. 22 March 1978. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  20. ↑ "Senate To Decide: Foshee Or Miller". The Dothan Eagle. 21 March 1978. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  21. ↑ Fox, Al (22 March 1978). "Foshee regains seat in Senate but still substitute's friend". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  22. ↑ "Miller easily wins Foshee's old seat in Alabama Senate". The Birmingham News. 3 November 1976. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  23. ↑ "Flippo Leaving State Senate Early". Alabama Journal. 9 November 1976. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  24. ↑ "Peden wins Flippo's seat over favored Demo Hunt". Birmingham Post-Herald. 2 February 1977. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  25. ↑ Young, Bert (23 February 1977). "Higginbotham Easy Winner For Senate". The Opelika-Auburn News. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  26. ↑ Thomas, Rex (23 July 1977). "Rep. Reed is found guilty, fined $500". The Mobile Register. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  27. ↑ "Democratic Race For Vacant Seat Won By Proctor". The Opelika-Auburn News. Associated Press. 22 August 1977. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_Alabama_Senate_election