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

← 2010 November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06) 2014 →
All 7 Alabama seats to the United States House of Representatives
Majority party Minority party   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%
District results County results Republican   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   >90% Democratic   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%

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

2012 Alabama's 1st congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Jo Bonner Party Republican Popular vote 196,374 Percentage 97.9%

U.S. Representative before election Jo Bonner Republican Elected U.S. Representative Jo Bonner Republican

See also: Alabama's 1st congressional district

The redrawn 1st district remains based in Mobile and continues to include the entirety of the state's coast.^[4] Republican Jo Bonner, who had represented the 1st district since 2003, sought re-election.^[7]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jo Bonner, incumbent U.S. representative^[8]

Eliminated in primary

• Peter Gounares, real estate broker and candidate for this seat in 2010^[9]
• Pete Riehm, real estate agent^[10]
• Dean Young, businessman and conservative activist^[11]

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

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.^[8]

General election

Endorsements

Jo Bonner (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[13]
• National Right to Life Committee^[14]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[15]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[16]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[17]	Safe R	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[18]	Safe R	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[19]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[20]	Safe R	November 5, 2012
NY Times[21]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
RCP[22]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
The Hill[23]	Safe R	November 4, 2012

Results

Bonner easily won re-election on November 6, 2012.

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

2012 Alabama's 2nd congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Martha Roby Therese Ford Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 180,591 103,092 Percentage 63.7% 36.2%

County results Roby:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Mathis:      50-60%      70-80%

U.S. Representative before election Martha Roby Republican Elected U.S. Representative Martha Roby Republican

See also: Alabama's 2nd congressional district

The redrawn 2nd district is based in the suburbs of Montgomery and covers the southeast of the state.^[4] Republican Martha Roby, who had represented the 2nd district since January 2011, sought re-election in 2012.^[24]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Martha Roby, incumbent U.S. representative

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Therese Ford, former deputy attorney general of Alabama^[24]

Declined

• Bobby Bright, former U.S. Representative^[25]

General election

Endorsements

Martha Roby (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[13]
• Maggie's List^[26]
• National Right to Life Committee^[14]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[15]
• Susan B. Anthony List^[27]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[16]

Therese Ford (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[28]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe R	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[18]	Safe R	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[19]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[20]	Safe R	November 5, 2012
NY Times[21]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
RCP[22]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
The Hill[23]	Safe R	November 4, 2012

Results

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

2012 Alabama's 3rd congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Mike Rogers John Andrew Harris Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 175,306 98,141 Percentage 64.0% 35.8%

County results Rogers:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Harris:      50-60%      80-90%

U.S. Representative before election Mike Rogers Republican Elected U.S. Representative Mike Rogers Republican

See also: Alabama's 3rd congressional district

The redrawn 3rd district is more favorable to Republicans than its previous incarnation.^[4] Republican Mike Rogers, who had represented the 3rd district since 2003, sought re-election.^[24]

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^[29]

General election

Endorsements

Mike Rogers (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[13]
• National Right to Life Committee^[14]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[15]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[16]

John Harris (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[28]

Organizations

• National Education Association

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe R	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[18]	Safe R	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[19]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[20]	Safe R	November 5, 2012
NY Times[21]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
RCP[22]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
The Hill[23]	Safe R	November 4, 2012

Results

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

2012 Alabama's 4th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Robert Aderholt Daniel Boman Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 199,071 69,706 Percentage 74.0% 25.9%

County results Aderholt:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. Representative before election Robert Aderholt Republican Elected U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt Republican

See also: Alabama's 4th congressional district

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 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^[30]

Primary results

Democratic primary results^[31]

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

Endorsements

Robert Aderholt (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[13]
• National Right to Life Committee^[14]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[15]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[16]

Daniel Boman (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[28]

Organizations

• National Education Association

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe R	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[18]	Safe R	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[19]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[20]	Safe R	November 5, 2012
NY Times[21]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
RCP[22]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
The Hill[23]	Safe R	November 4, 2012

Results

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

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

District 5

2012 Alabama's 5th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Mo Brooks Charlie L. Holley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 189,185 101,772 Percentage 64.9% 35.0%

County results Brooks:      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. Representative before election Mo Brooks Republican Elected U.S. Representative Mo Brooks Republican

See also: Alabama's 5th congressional district

Lawrence and Colbert counties were moved from the 4th district to the 5th district during redistricting.^[4] 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^[32]

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Charlie Holley, Baptist minister^[33]

General election

Endorsements

Mo Brooks (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[13]
• Eagle Forum^[34]
• National Right to Life Committee^[14]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[15]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[16]

Charlie Holley (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[28]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe R	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[18]	Safe R	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[19]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[20]	Safe R	November 5, 2012
NY Times[21]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
RCP[22]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
The Hill[23]	Safe R	November 4, 2012

Results

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

2012 Alabama's 6th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Spencer Bachus Penny Bailey Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 219,262 88,267 Percentage 71.2% 28.6%

County results Bachus:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. Representative before election Spencer Bachus Republican Elected U.S. Representative Spencer Bachus Republican

See also: Alabama's 6th congressional district

The redrawn 6th district is centered around the suburbs of Birmingham.^[4] Republican Spencer Bachus, who had represented Alabama's 6th congressional district since 1993, sought re-election.^[35]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Spencer Bachus, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary

• Scott Beason, state senator^[36]
• Al Mickle, businessman and Tea Party activist^[37]
• David Standridge, Blount County probate judge^[38]

Withdrawn

• Justin Barkley^[39]
• Stan Pate, businessman^[40]

Endorsements

Scott Beason

Organizations

• Eagle Forum^[34]

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

Candidates

Nominee

• Penny Bailey, retired Air Force colonel

Eliminated in primary

• William Barnes, attorney and nominee for the Senate in 2010^[35]

Primary results

Democratic primary results^[31]

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

Endorsements

Spencer Bachus (R)

Organizations

• Campaign for Working Families^[13]
• National Right to Life Committee^[14]
• NRA Political Victory Fund^[15]
• United States Chamber of Commerce^[16]

Penny Bailey (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[28]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe R	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[18]	Safe R	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[19]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[20]	Safe R	November 5, 2012
NY Times[21]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
RCP[22]	Safe R	November 4, 2012
The Hill[23]	Safe R	November 4, 2012

Results

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

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

District 7

2012 Alabama's 7th congressional district election

← 2010 2014 →

Nominee Terri Sewell Don Chamberlain Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 232,520 73,835 Percentage 75.8% 24.1%

County results Sewell:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%

U.S. Representative before election Terri Sewell Democratic Elected U.S. Representative Terri Sewell Democratic

See also: Alabama's 7th congressional district

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 had represented the 7th district since January 2011, sought re-election.^[41]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Terri Sewell, incumbent U.S. representative

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Don Chamberlain^[42]

Eliminated in primary

• Phil Norris, retired United States Navy submariner^[41]

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

Endorsements

Terri Sewell (D)

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO^[28]
• National Association of Letter Carriers^[43]
• United Steelworkers

Organizations

• Humane Society of the United States^[44]
• National Education Association
• National Organization for Women^[45]
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund^[46]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report	Safe D	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg[18]	Safe D	November 2, 2012
Roll Call[19]	Safe D	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball[20]	Safe D	November 5, 2012
NY Times[21]	Safe D	November 4, 2012
RCP[22]	Safe D	November 4, 2012
The Hill[23]	Safe D	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.

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

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Terri 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