The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election. Primary elections were held on March 13, 2012; runoff elections were held on April 24.
Redistricting A redistricting bill was passed by the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate on June 2, 2011, and signed into law by Governor Robert Bentley on June 8. To comply with the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the map received approval from the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal court before it could be enacted; the Department of Justice approved the map on November 21, 2011.
Overview The table below shows the total number and percentage of votes, as well as the number of seats gained and lost by each political party in the election for the United States House of Representatives in Alabama. 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in AlabamaPartyVotesPercentageSeats+/– Republican1,233,62463.8%6- Democratic693,49835.9%1- Write-in6,5080.3%0- Totals 1,933,630 100.0% 7 —
District 1
The redrawn 1st district remains based in Mobile and continues to include the entirety of the state's coast. Republican Jo Bonner, who had represented the 1st district since 2003, sought re-election.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jo Bonner, incumbent U.S. representative
Eliminated in primary Peter Gounares, real estate broker and candidate for this seat in 2010 Pete Riehm, real estate agent Dean Young, businessman and conservative activist
Primary results
Democratic primary No Democrats qualified to seek the nomination.
Clint Moser, who had planned to run against Bonner as an independent, did not do so.
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call, November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal BallCrystal Ball , November 5, 2012 NY TimesHouse Race Ratings, The New York Times, November 4, 2012RCP, November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results Bonner easily won re-election on November 6, 2012.
District 2
The redrawn 2nd district is based in the suburbs of Montgomery and covers the southeast of the state. Republican Martha Roby, who had represented the 2nd district since January 2011, sought re-election in 2012.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Martha Roby, incumbent U.S. representative
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Therese Ford, former deputy attorney general of Alabama
Declined Bobby Bright, former U.S. Representative
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 3
The redrawn 3rd district is more favorable to Republicans than its previous incarnation. Republican Mike Rogers, who had represented the 3rd district since 2003, sought re-election.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Mike Rogers, incumbent U.S. representative
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee John Andrew Harris, child nutrition program worker for Auburn City Schools
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 4
The northern part of Tuscaloosa County was added to the 4th district during redistricting, while most of Blount County was removed. Republican Robert Aderholt, who had represented the 4th district since 1997, sought re-election.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Robert Aderholt, incumbent U.S. representative
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Daniel Boman, state representative
Eliminated in primary Rick Neighbors, former plant supervisor
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 5
Lawrence and Colbert counties were moved from the 5th district to the 4th district during redistricting. Republican Mo Brooks, who had represented the 5th district since January 2011, sought re-election.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Mo Brooks, incumbent U.S. representative
Eliminated in primary Parker Griffith, former U.S. representative
Primary results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Charlie Holley, Baptist minister
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 6
The redrawn 6th district is centered around the suburbs of Birmingham. Republican Spencer Bachus, who had represented Alabama's 6th congressional district since 1993, sought re-election.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Spencer Bachus, incumbent U.S. representative
Eliminated in primary Scott Beason, state senator Al Mickle, businessman and Tea Party activist David Standridge, Blount County probate judge
Withdrawn Justin Barkley Stan Pate, businessman
Endorsements
Primary results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Penny Bailey, retired Air Force colonel
Eliminated in primary William Barnes, attorney and nominee for the Senate in 2010
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 7
The redrawn 7th district, located on the state's western border, is 64% African American and was made even more favorable to Democrats in the 2010 redistricting. Incumbent Terri Sewell, who had represented the 7th district since January 2011, sought re-election.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Terri Sewell, incumbent U.S. representative
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Don Chamberlain
Eliminated in primary Phil Norris, retired United States Navy submariner
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results Sewell won the general election, remaining the only Democrat in Alabama's Congressional delegation. This was the last time until 2022 that Republicans contested Alabama's 7th congressional district.
References
External links Elections from the Alabama Secretary of State Alabama Votes, government election center United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, 2012 at Ballotpedia Alabama U.S. House at OurCampaigns.com Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in Alabama at OpenSecrets Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation Election news coverage from AL.com