Governor Kay Ivey signed a proclamation on Tuesday, calling for a special election and setting dates for Alabama Senate District 5, which includes Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties.
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed previously held the seat and did so for 14 years. He began serving as president pro tempore in Feb. 2021. In November, Gov. Ivey appointed Reed as the senior advisor to Workforce Transformation at the Department of Workforce, where he’ll lead in reshaping the state’s workforce and economic future.
The Department of Workforce was created in the 2024 regular session after Ivey signed the “Working for Alabama” legislation into law. These bills were designed to streamline workforce development and create a more competitive state for attracting industry and creating jobs.
This package includes a proposal to combine the state’s current workforce development programs and agencies into a new agency called the Alabama Department of Workforce. This new department will be at the cabinet level and will replace the old Labor Department.
“Senator Reed has been an outstanding partner as president pro tem of the Senate and will continue to be an integral leader in the state of Alabama, but he has left big shoes to fill in the state legislature,” said Ivey. “Greg has effectively represented his district and I encourage the folks in Senate District Five to get out and vote during this special election.”
With Reed set to begin his new role on Jan. 1, Ivey has set the special general election for Tuesday, March 11. If it’s necessary, a primary runoff will take place on April 8 and a special general election will take place on Tuesday, June 24.
The deadline for qualifying with major political parties is Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at 5 p.m. The deadline for all independent candidates and/or minor parties is Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 5 p.m.
