Flowers Predicts Alabama Senate Shakeup in 2026 Races

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama political columnist Steve Flowers, a 16-year Legislature veteran and author of 'Inside the Statehouse,' dissects the 2026 State Senate elections as incumbents brace for rare challenges. In his recent analysis, Flowers notes that of Alabama's 35 Senate seats and 105 House seats, fewer than 20% face opposition, mirroring the safe incumbency of U.S. Congress. 'Legislative seats have become analogous to U.S. Congressional seats,' Flowers writes, highlighting Republican control amid an election-year session light on major bills.[2][4] Flowers points to recent special elections as harbingers for 2026. In Marshall County, 35-year-old Wes Kitchens defeated Brock Colvin 55%-45% for an open Senate seat, while educator Jeana Ross won Kitchens' former House district against five GOP rivals. Huntsville's purple swing district flipped when Democrat Marilyn Lands captured a House seat 62%-38% on a reproductive rights platform, a stark warning for Republicans after three bruising losses.[3] Money already surges into races, as Flowers observed in parallel U.S. Senate talk, with GOP contenders like Attorney General Steve Marshall, Rep. Barry Moore, and others like Seth Burton, Dale Shelton Deas Jr., Jared Hudson, Morgan Murphy and Rodney Walker vying early. Young GOP riser Caroleene Dobson trounced veteran Dick Brewbaker in a primary, signaling fresh blood. Amid economic wins like the Working for Alabama jobs package -- orchestrated by Alabama Power CEO Jeff Peoples and Community College Chancellor Jimmy Baker -- Flowers forecasts Senate dynamics hinging on incumbents' grip and targeted upsets.[1][3]