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Alabama State Senate District 18

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Revision as of 15:24, 17 April 2019 by Elisabeth Moore (contribs) (Text replacement - "signature-filing deadline" to "signature filing deadline")
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Alabama State Senate District 18
Current incumbentRodger Smitherman Democratic Party
Population112,472
Race33.5% White, 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.2% Two or More Races, 1.9% Asian, 3.3% Other, 59.9% Black, 0.1% Pacific Islander[1]
Voting age80.7% age 18 and over

Alabama’s eighteenth state senate district is represented by Democratic Senator Rodger Smitherman.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 112,472 civilians reside within Alabama's eighteenth state senate district.[2] Alabama state senators represent an average of 136,564 residents.[3] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 127,060 residents.[4]

About the office

Alabama's senators serve without term limits for four-year terms. Alabama's state senators assume office the day following their election.[5]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Members of the Alabama State Senate must be at least 25 years of age at the time of their election, registered voters, U.S. citizens for at least one day, residents of the State of Alabama for at least three years, and residents of their district at least one year prior to the general election.[6]


Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2025[7]
SalaryPer diem
$62,212/yearNo per diem is paid to legislators whose permanent residence is less than six hours away. The daily rate is $12.75 for 6–12 hour trips and $34 for non-overnight trips over 12 hours. Overnight per diem is $85 for one night or $100 per day for two or more nights.

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Alabama State Legislature, a special election must generally be conducted in order to fill the vacant seat. In the event that a vacancy occurs on or after October 1 in the year of a regular election, the seat will remain vacant until filled at the regular election. Otherwise, the governor must call for a special election if the vacancy happens before the next scheduled general election and the Legislature is in session.[8][9][10] The governor has all discretion in setting the date of the election along with the nominating deadlines.[10][11]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Alabama Code § 17-15-1


Elections

2018

See also: Alabama State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Alabama State Senate District 18

Incumbent Rodger Smitherman won election in the general election for Alabama State Senate District 18 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Rodger Smitherman
Rodger Smitherman (D)
 
98.4
 
39,819
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.6
 
668

Total votes: 40,487
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Alabama State Senate District 18

Incumbent Rodger Smitherman advanced from the Democratic primary for Alabama State Senate District 18 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
Image of Rodger Smitherman
Rodger Smitherman

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014

See also: Alabama State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the Alabama State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014; a runoff election took place where necessary on July 15, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 7, 2014. Incumbent Rodger Smitherman was unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[12][13][14][15]

2010

See also: Alabama State Senate elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Alabama State Senate consisted of a primary election on June 1, 2010, and a general election on November 2, 2010. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 2, 2010. Incumbent Rodger Smitherman won uncontested in the general election after defeating Fred Horn (D) in the June 1 primary.[16][17]

Alabama State Senate, District 18, Democratic Primary Election, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngRodger Smitherman Incumbent 78.7% 7,719
     Republican Fred Horn 21.3% 2,083
Total Votes 9,802

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2014, candidates for Alabama State Senate District 18 raised a total of $1,569,583. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $156,958 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Alabama State Senate District 18
Year Amount Candidates Average
2014 $242,634 1 $242,634
2012 $7,000 1 $7,000
2010 $495,955 2 $247,978
2008 $31,750 1 $31,750
2006 $484,984 3 $161,661
2002 $307,260 2 $153,630
Total $1,569,583 10 $156,958

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. For more information on the parameters the U.S. Census Bureau use, please see our Race and Ethnicity on the United States Census page.
  2. Center for Business and Economic Research, The University of Alabama, "Population by Race for State Legislative Districts in Alabama, 2010," September 30, 2013
  3. United States Census Bureau, "Population in 2010 of the American states," November 21, 2013
  4. United States Census Bureau, "Population in 2000 of the American states," November 21, 2013
  5. Justia, "Alabama Constitution, Article IV, Section 46," accessed November 22, 2016
  6. Alabama Secretary of State, "Minimum Qualifications for Public Office," accessed May 21, 2025
  7. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2025 Legislator Compensation," December 2, 2025
  8. Ballotpedia, "Alabama Amendment 4, Legislative Vacancies Amendment (2018)," accessed March 28, 2025
  9. Justia US Law, "2023 Code of Alabama Title 17 - Elections. Chapter 15 - Special Elections. Section 17-15-1 - When and for What Offices Held." accessed February 26, 2025
  10. 10.0 10.1 Justia US Law, "2023 Code of Alabama Title 17 - Elections. Chapter 15 - Special Elections. Section 17-15-3 - Special Elections Ordered by Governor." accessed February 26, 2025
  11. Alabama Legislature, "Constitution of Alabama 2022," accessed February 26, 2025
  12. Alabama Democrats, "Qualified candidates for public office list," accessed February 25, 2014
  13. Alabama Republican Party, "State Senate," accessed February 25, 2014
  14. Alabama Secretary of State, "Official Democratic Primary Results," accessed June 20, 2014
  15. Alabama Secretary of State, "Official Republican Primary Results," accessed June 20, 2014
  16. Alabama Secretary of State, "State of Alabama 2010 Certified General Election Results," November 22, 2010
  17. Alabama Secretary of State, "Democratic Primary results," November 21, 2013


Current members of the Alabama State Senate
Leadership
Majority Leader:Steve Livingston
Minority Leader:Bobby Singleton
Senators
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
Jay Hovey (R)
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
Republican Party (27)
Democratic Party (8)