Republican Matt Woods and Democrat Ryan Cagle to Vie for Alabama State Senate Seat
The special election was called after State Senator Greg Reed (R) became the state's first Secretary of Workforce.
The Democratic and Republican primaries occurred today in Alabama to select candidates for the special election covering a vacancy in the State Senate. The state requires a candidate to obtain a 50%+1 majority to obtain their party’s nomination. However, only one Republican and two Democrats qualified for this contest.
The special election for Alabama State Senate District 5 was called after State Senator Greg Reed, a Republican, resigned to become the state’s first Secretary of Workforce. He represented this district from November 2010 to January 2025. He also served as the chamber’s Majority Leader from November 2014 to February 2021 and President Pro Tempore from February 2021 to January 2025. Reed only faced a competitive election in 2010 where he won 73.2-26.7 against Democrat Brett Wadsworth. He was re-elected unopposed in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Matt Woods won the Republican primary unopposed.
Woods has served District 13 in the Alabama House of Representatives since November 2022. He previously co-founded Jasper Auto Sales with his son.
Meanwhile, Ryan Cagle won the Democratic primary with 61.8% (222) against Sarah Watkins with 38.2% (137). 359 votes counted.
Cagle is a minister and communications coordinator for several churches.
Alabama State Senate District 5 covers the entirety of Fayette, Lamar, and Walker Counties as well as parts of Jefferson and Tuscaloosa Counties.
The Alabama State Senate currently features 26 Republicans and 8 Democrats. This is the chamber’s sole vacancy. The special election between Woods and Cagle will occur on June 24, 2025. All 35 seats will next be up for regular four-year terms in November 2026.