Marilyn Lands, a Democratic candidate in conservative Alabama has flipped a state House seat, the Associated Press reports.
Lands defeated Republican candidate Teddy Powell, a Madison City Council member, in a special election to win the open seat. Lands won 63% of the vote to Powell’s 37%.
The special election was called after Republican David Cole pleaded guilty to a voter fraud last year and resigned.
Alabama has a near-total ban on abortion, and last month, in-vitro fertilization services were paused after the state high court ruled that frozen embryos created through IVF are considered to be children. The legislature passed a bill to protect IVF amid the backlash over the ruling which was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey (R).
Lands made IVF and abortion rights the center of her campaign. She ran on repealing the state’s abortion ban and was endorsed by Planned Parenthood. Her victory proves that protecting reproductive rights remains a potent issue for Democrats into the 2024 election, even in deep red Alabama.
“Today, Alabama women and families sent a clear message that will be heard in Montgomery and across the nation. Our legislature must repeal Alabama’s no-exceptions abortion ban, fully restore access to IVF, and protect the right to contraception,” Lands said in a statement.
Powell conceded the race in a statement to Alabama Daily News: “The voters have spoken and I’m honored to have been considered for this office. I wish Mrs. Lands the absolute best as she goes on to serve the people of District 10 in the House of Representatives.”
