ALABAMA: The year 2026 will bring about county, state and some federal elections. Those potential candidates in the Republican and Democratic primaries have been able to accept contributions since May 19, 2025. Those who are seeking office that are not in the Republican or Democratic primary can begin to receive contributions on November 3, 2025.
All Alabama Statewide Offices such as Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Alabama AG Commissioner, and other statewide offices are up for election. The Incumbent Alabama Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General have termed out and by law unable to seek re-election.
Alabama Senators and Alabama State Representatives are up for election. Some statewide Judgeships are up for election.
In Houston County all Houston County Commissioner seats and Houston County Commission Chairman are up for election, Houston County Sheriff, Houston County Coroner, Houston County Revenue Commissioner, some local Judges are up for election.
The primary election, Republican or Democrat, is May 19, 2026 with the run off election on June 16, 2026. You must decide if you are going to vote in the Republican or Democratic primary on May 19. You can not vote in both. And many offices will be decided on that date as there will be only Republican or Democrat persons seeking that particular office. Whatever party you voted in May, if a run off and you vote in the run off it must be on the same party you voted in May. In other words, if you voted in the Republican Primary in May, then in the run off you must vote in the Republican. You can not change and vote Democratic in the runoff election.
The general election is November 3, 2026. Whomever the registered voters selected in the May 19 and/or June 16 run off in the Republican Primary and Democratic Primary and any Independent candidates who ran will square off on November 3, 2026. In this election you are not restricted to Republican or Democrat or Independent, you can vote for any on the ballot.
Again, sometimes the election for a particular office is decided on May 19. Example: Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza will be seeking re-election as Sheriff. Valenza is a Republican. If no Democratic candidate or Independent gets into the race, the race for Sheriff will be over May 19, 2026. And based on his record and popularity it is doubtful anyone can unseat Donald Valenza as Sheriff.
While all Sheriff’s and Coroner’s are up for election in Alabama, not all County Commissioners or Commission Chairmans are up for election. While all commissioners and chairman in Houston County are up for election, in Henry County the Probate Judge/Commission Chairman is not up for re-election, Dale County Commission Chairman is not up for re-election, in Geneva County the Probate Judge/Commission Chairman is not up for re-election.
ALABAMA SENATE: Incumbent in District 28 – Billy Beasley: Incumbent in District 29 – Donnie Chesteen
ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: Incumbent in District 85 – Rick Rheem: Incumbent in District 86 – Paul Lee: Incumbent in District 87 – Jeff Sorrells: Incumbent in District 93 – Steve Clouse.
All of the above named will be seeking re-election and predictions some will be unopposed. And predictions are all above named incumbents will be re-elected in 2026.
The above are what is referred to as the Local Legislative Delegation. They all work together well, and work hard to serve this area of the State of Alabama. All of the above are actively involved in their district, help each other with legislation, and are in tune with the voters of each respected districts. Each of the above named are expected to seek re-election and predictions each will be re-elected. This area of the state, under the above named Senate and Alabama House Members, has this area of the state in a very positive direction and position for great things to happen.
The 2026 Alabama Legislative Session will be called to order on January 13, 2026. Because it is election year, it is expected this will be a fast legislative session.
HOUSTON COUNTY SHERIFF: Donald Valenza who will be seeking re-election. Based on his service record, since 1979 beginning as a Corrections Deputy and rising through the ranks of the Sheriff Department, Donald Valenza is very respected and highly unlikely anyone can defeat him.
HOUSTON COUNTY CORONER: Since 1987 Robert Byrd has served as Houston County Coroner. Byrd will not be seeking re-election as Coroner. So no incumbent in the race in 2026.
HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN: Incumbent Brandon Shoupe will be seeking re-election. No other names have been mentioned who will seek election as Chairman.
HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSION: District 1 – Incumbent Curtis Harvey has served 20 years as Commissioner. No other Names have been mentioned. District 2 – Incumbent Tracy Adams has announced re-election and Chris Love has announced his intentions to seek election. District 3 – Incumbent Ricky Herring will not be seeking re-election. While no official announcements have been made, Taylor Knight and Ashley Enginger are expected be seeking election. Distirct 4 – Incumbent James Ivey has not announced his bid for re-election but he is expected to be seeking re-election. Have heard one other that might run in this district but unconfirmed.
HOUSTON COUNTY REVENUE COMMISSIONER: Incumbent Greg Holland – worked with Houston County Revenue Office for 30 years.
HENRY COUNTY SHERIFF: Incumbent Eric Blankenship will be seeking re-election as Sheriff. Blankenship has served the citizens of Henry County well as Sheriff and expected to be re-elected.
HENRY COUNTY CORONER: Incumbent Derek Wright has served several years as Coroner and expected to seek re-election. Wright has been dedicated as Coroner and always been responsive to serve the citizens of Henry County. Expected to be re-elected as Coroner.
BARBOUR COUNTY SHERIFF: Incumbent Tyrone Smith has moved the Sheriff Department to this century. He worked to establish qualifications for Sheriff. While Sheriff Smith has not formally announced re-election, he is expected to seek another term. He has brought the Barbour County Sheriff Department into today’s world and served the people well. He is expted to be re-elected.
BARBOUR COUNTY CORONER: Incumbent Chip Chapman has served as Coroner for many years in Barbour County. Chapman is not expected to have any problems in re-election.
DALE COUNTY SHERIFF: Incumbent Mason Bynum will be seeking re-election as Sheriff. He is an extremely popular Sheriff and person in Dale County. Prediction is no one will even attempt to run against Mason Bynum because is would be a waste of their time and money.
DALE COUNTY CORONER: Incumbent John Cawley will be seeking re-election as Coroner. Under Cawley’s leadership and with the support of the Dale County Commission, Coroner John Cawley has improved the Coroner Office in facilities and service. Cawley probably has established the Dale County Coroner’s Office into the most professional and business like operation of any in the State of Alabama. Cawley is expected to be re-elected.
PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF: Incumbent Russell Thomas will be seeking re-election into his 9th term as Sheriff. Thomas is probably the strongest elected public servant in Pike County.
COFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF: Incumbent Scott Byrd will be seeking re-election as Sheriff. A working Sheriff who is also a successful businessman. Byrd has worked to improve the Sheriff Department and expected he will be re-elected with no problems.
COFFEE COUNTY CORONER: Incumbent Arnold Woodham will be seeking re-election. He wears many hats in Coffee County as Operations Manager of Enterprise Rescue and Fire Chief in New Brockton. Woodham is dedicated to the citizens in Coffee County in all areas of service and expected to be re-elected.
GENEVA COUNTY SHERIFF: Incumbent Tony Helms is rumored to be retiring and not seeking re-election. But RSN has not confirmed that with Sheriff Tony Helms. It is rumored that ALEA – SBI Captain David Hall will be retiring and seeking election as Geneva County Sheriff. All of this is rumored and unconfirmed at this time.
GENEVA COUNTY CORONER: Incumbent Donnie Adkinson has served Geneva County now for several terms. He is prompt and compassionate to those he serves in Geneva County. He is expected to seek re-election and expected to be re-elected.
RSN will try to help you know who each candidate is and what they stand for. In memory of Charlie Kirk, know who is running and what they stand for. And that we will attempt to help you know each candidate.
