2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama

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.[1]

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama

November 6, 2012
All 7 Alabama seats to the United States House of Representatives
Party Republican Democratic Last election 6 1 Seats won 6 1 Seat change Popular vote 1,233,624 693,498 Percentage 63.80% 35.87% Swing 9.00% 6.33%
Results:      Democratic hold      Republican hold

Redistricting

A redistricting bill was passed by the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate on June 2, 2011,[2] and signed into law by Governor Robert Bentley on June 8.[3] 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;[4] the Department of Justice approved the map on November 21, 2011.[5]

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 Alabama[6]
Party		Votes	Percentage	Seats	+/–
	Republican	1,233,624	63.8%	6	-
	Democratic	693,498	35.9%	1	-
	Write-in	6,508	0.3%	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.[4] Republican Jo Bonner, who has represented the 1st district since 2003, sought re-election.[7] Peter Gounares, a real estate broker who unsuccessfully challenged Bonner in the Republican primary in 2010;[8] Pete Riehm, a real estate agent;[9] and Dean Young, a businessman and conservative activist,[10] challenged Bonner in the Republican primary. Bonner defeated his three challengers.[11]

No Democrats qualified to seek the nomination. Clint Moser, who had planned to run against Bonner as an independent, did not do so.[11] Bonner easily won re-election on November 6, 2012.

Primary results

Republican primary results[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jo Bonner (incumbent)	48,481	55.5
	Republican	Dean Young	21,216	24.3
	Republican	Pete Riehm	13,744	15.8
	Republican	Peter Gounares	3,828	4.4
Total votes			87,269	100.0

General election

Alabama's 1st congressional district, 2012[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jo Bonner (incumbent)	196,374	97.9
	n/a	Write-ins	4,302	2.1
Total votes			200,676	100.0
	Republican hold

District 2

The redrawn 2nd district is based in the suburbs of Montgomery and covers the southeast of the state.[4] Republican Martha Roby, who has represented the 2nd district since January 2011, sought re-election in 2012.[13]

Therese Ford challenged Roby as the Democratic candidate.[13] Former U.S. Representative Bobby Bright, whom Roby defeated in the 2010 general election, decided not to run again.[14] Roby won re-election on November 6, 2012.

General election

Alabama's 2nd congressional district, 2012[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Martha Roby (incumbent)	180,591	63.7
	Democratic	Therese Ford	103,092	36.2
	n/a	Write-ins	270	0.1
Total votes			283,953	100.0
	Republican hold

District 3

The redrawn 3rd district is more favorable to Republicans than its previous incarnation.[4] Republican Mike Rogers, who has represented the 3rd district since 2003, sought re-election.[13] John Andrew Harris, who works in the child nutrition program for Auburn City Schools, challenged Rogers unsuccessfully.[15]

General election

Alabama's 3rd congressional district, 2012[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Rogers (incumbent)	175,306	64.0
	Democratic	John Andrew Harris	98,141	35.8
	n/a	Write-ins	483	0.2
Total votes			273,390	100.0
	Republican hold

District 4

The northern part of Tuscaloosa County was added to the 4th district during redistricting, while most of Blount County was removed.[4] Republican Robert Aderholt, who has represented the 4th district since 1997, sought re-election. State representative Daniel Boman, and Rick Neighbors, a former plant supervisor, sought the Democratic nomination to challenge Aderholt.[16] Boman defeated Neighbors, but Aderholt won the general election on November 6, 2012.

Primary results

Democratic primary results[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Daniel Boman	10,969	51.4
	Democratic	Rick Neighbors	10,353	48.6
Total votes			21,322	100.0

General election

Alabama's 4th congressional district, 2012[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert Aderholt (incumbent)	199,071	74.0
	Democratic	Daniel H. Boman	69,706	25.9
	n/a	Write-ins	341	0.1
Total votes			269,118	100.0
	Republican hold

District 5

Lawrence and Colbert counties were moved from the 4th district to the 5th district during redistricting.[4] Republican Mo Brooks, who represented the 5th district since January 2011, sought re-election. Parker Griffith, who represented the district from 2009 to 2011 and was defeated by Brooks in the Republican primary in 2010, again challenged Brooks in the Republican primary.[18] Brooks defeated Griffith. Charlie Holley, a Baptist minister, unsuccessfully challenged Brooks as the Democratic nominee.[19] Brooks won the November 6, 2012, general election.

Primary results

Republican primary results[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mo Brooks (incumbent)	65,155	71.0
	Republican	Parker Griffith	26,693	29.0
Total votes			91,848	100.0

General election

Alabama's 5th congressional district, 2012[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mo Brooks (incumbent)	189,185	64.9
	Democratic	Charlie L. Holley	101,772	35.0
	n/a	Write-ins	336	0.1
Total votes			291,293	100.0
	Republican hold

District 6

The redrawn 6th district is centered around the suburbs of Birmingham.[4] Republican Spencer Bachus, who has represented Alabama's 6th congressional district since 1993, sought re-election.[20]

State Senator Scott Beason;[21] Al Mickle, a businessman and Tea Party activist;[22] and Blount County Probate Judge David Standridge[23] challenged Bachus in the Republican primary. Justin Barkley had planned to challenge Bachus, but dropped his bid in January 2012.[24] Stan Pate, a businessman, planned to run but ended his bid in February 2012.[25] Bachus defeated his three primary challengers.

Col. Penny Bailey, a retired Air Force Colonel; and William G. Barnes, an attorney and Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010, sought the Democratic nomination.[20] Bailey defeated Barnes, but Bachus won the general election on November 6, 2012.

Primary results

Republican primary results[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Spencer Bachus (incumbent)	63,359	61.5
	Republican	Scott Beason	28,671	27.9
	Republican	David Standridge	8,120	7.9
	Republican	Al Mickle	2,929	2.7
	Republican	Stan Pate (write-in)	33	0.0
Total votes			103,112	100.0

Democratic primary results[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Penny Bailey	5,061	61.0
	Democratic	William G. Barnes	3,229	39.0
Total votes			8,290	100.0

General election

Alabama's 6th congressional district, 2012[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Spencer Bachus (incumbent)	219,262	71.2
	Democratic	Penny "Colonel" Bailey	88,267	28.6
	n/a	Write-ins	573	0.2
Total votes			308,102	100.0
	Republican hold

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.[4] Incumbent Terri Sewell, who has represented the 7th district since January 2011, sought re-election.[26] Don Chamberlain[27] and Phil Norris, a retired United States Navy submariner,[26] sought the Republican nomination to challenge Sewell. Chamberlain defeated Norris, then Sewell won the general election on November 6, 2012. She is the only Democrat in Alabama's Congressional delegation.

Primary results

Republican primary results[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Don Chamberlain	11,537	66.1
	Republican	Phillip Norris	5,918	33.9
Total votes			17,455	100.0

General election

Alabama's 7th congressional district, 2012[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Terri A. Sewell (incumbent)	232,520	75.8
	Republican	Don Chamberlain	73,835	24.1
	n/a	Write-ins	203	0.1
Total votes			306,558	100.0
	Democratic hold

References

1. "2012 Scheduled Elections". Alabama Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 8, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
2. Averette, Justin (June 2, 2011). "Senate, House both approve new map with Chilton in 6th District". The Clanton Advertiser. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
3. Lowry, Bob (June 8, 2011). "Bentley rejects Huntsville's alternative redistricting plan; signs Legislature's plan into law". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
4. Miller, Joshua (June 14, 2011). "Race Ratings: GOP Safe as Can Be in Alabama". Roll Call. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
5. Miller, Joshua (November 21, 2011). "Justice Department Clears New Alabama Lines". Roll Call.
6. "Secretary of State Canvass of Results General Election November 6, 2012" (PDF).
7. Talbot, George (January 13, 2012). "2012 Elections: Candidates qualify for election in Mobile, Baldwin counties". Press-Register. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
8. Talbot, George (November 21, 2011). "Peter Gounares to run for 1st Congressional District seat". Press-Register. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
9. Altman, George (September 27, 2011). "Pete Riehm, second conservative challenger to Rep. Jo Bonner, launches campaign". Press-Register. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
10. Altman, George (August 18, 2011). "Conservative Orange Beach businessman Dean Young to challenge Jo Bonner in GOP primary". Press-Register. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
11. Altman, George (March 13, 2012). "Rep. Jo Bonner wins GOP nomination for Alabama's 1st Congressional District". Press-Register. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
12. "Republican Primary Results - Certified" (PDF). Secretary of State of Alabama. March 23, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 11, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
13. Kitchen, Sebastian (January 14, 2012). "Candidates qualify for elections". Montgomery Advertiser. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
14. "Bobby Bright decides against another run for Congress". al.com. Associated Press. January 13, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
15. Morand, Rachel (January 19, 2012). "Primary election races set for campaigning". The Auburn Villager. Archived from the original on January 23, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
16. Doyle, Steve (January 14, 2012). "Congressman Robert Aderholt draws two last-minute Democratic challengers". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
17. "Democratic Primary Results - Certified" (PDF). Secretary of State of Alabama. March 22, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 11, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
18. Roop, Lee (January 12, 2012). "Parker Griffith says he will challenge Mo Brooks again for Congress". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
19. Gattis, Paul (December 16, 2011). "Holley's ambition is to be 'servant' as Democratic candidate for 5th Congressional District". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
20. Dean, Charles J. (January 13, 2012). "Stan Pate throws hat in crowded field for 6th Congressional District". The Birmingham News. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
21. Rawls, Phillip (January 13, 2012). "Beason challenges Bachus in GOP race for Congress". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
22. Moseley, Brandon (January 13, 2012). "Tea Party Activist Mickle Continues Campaign For Congress". Alabama Political Reporter. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
23. Dean, Charles J. (January 13, 2012). "Judge David Standridge throws hat in ring for Alabama's 6th Congressional District". The Birmingham News. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
24. "State Certification Amended-Primary Candidate Certification-Republican Party" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State. January 30, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
25. Beyerle, Dana (February 3, 2012). "Pate pulls out of congressional primary". The Gadsden Times. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
26. Dean, Charles J. (January 13, 2012). "U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell uncontested in Democratic primary". The Birmingham News. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
27. Beyerle, Dana (January 19, 2012). "Two state candidates for Congress can't vote for themselves". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved January 30, 2012.

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.org
• Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation
• Election news coverage from AL.com