Share on WeChat
https://www.powervoter.us:443/office
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.

Alabama, State House, District 72

Alabama House of Representatives District 72
Current incumbentRalph Anthony Howard Democratic Party
Population39,414
Race38.6% White, 0.2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.6% Two or More Races, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% Other, 60.2% Black, 0.1% Pacific Islander
Voting age76.5% age 18 and over

Alabama’s sixty-second state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Ralph Anthony Howard.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 39,414 civilians reside within Alabama's seventy-second house of representatives district. Alabama state representatives represent an average of 45,521 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 42,353 residents.

About the office

Elected officials are not subjected to term limits and Alabama House members are one of only five lower house officials in the United States that are elected every four years. Alabama's state representatives assume office the day following their election.

Qualifications

Members of the House must be 21 at the time of their election, must be citizens and residents of the State of Alabama for at least 3 years and residents of their district at least one year prior to election.

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$48,123/yearNo set per diem during the legislative session. Legislators are reimbursed for in-state travel expenses, which include mileage and per diem.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the House, a special election must be conducted in order to fill the vacant seat. The governor must call for a special election if the vacancy happened before next scheduled general election and the House is in session. The governor has all discretion in setting the date of the election along with nominating deadlines.

Elections

2018

General election
General election for Alabama House of Representatives District 72

Incumbent Ralph Anthony Howard (D) won election in the general election for Alabama House of Representatives District 72 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Ralph Anthony Howard (D)
98.8
12,811
Other/Write-in votes
1.2
162

Total votes: 12,973
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Alabama House of Representatives District 72

Incumbent Ralph Anthony Howard advanced from the Democratic primary for Alabama House of Representatives District 72 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate

Ralph Anthony Howard (D)

Republican primary election

No Republican candidates ran in the primary.

2014

Elections for the Alabama House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014; a runoff election took place where necessary on July 15, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 7, 2014. Incumbent Ralph Anthony Howard faced James E. Carter, Patrick Arrington, and Thomas Moore in the Democratic primary. Because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters - Howard and Moore - met in a runoff election, which Howard won. Howard was unchallenged in the general election.

Alabama House of Representatives, District 72 Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngRalph Anthony Howard Incumbent 36.4% 4,667
Green check mark transparent.pngThomas Moore 29.3% 3,756
Patrick Arrington 20.4% 2,619
James E. Carter 13.9% 1,783
Total Votes 12,825

2010

Elections for the office of Alabama House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 1, 2010, and a general election on November 2, 2010. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 2, 2010. Incumbent Ralph Anthony Howard defeated Johnny Lee Flowers and Melvin Hugh Lightning in the June 1 primary before winning the general election uncontested.

Alabama House of Representatives District 72, Democratic Primary Election, 2010

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngRalph Anthony Howard Incumbent 57.3% 4,898
Democratic Johnny Lee Flowers 36.8% 3,147
Democratic Melvin Hugh Lightning 5.8% 498
Total Votes 8,543

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2014, candidates for Alabama House of Representatives District 72 raised a total of $289,092. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $26,281 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Alabama House of Representatives District 72

Year Amount Candidates Average
2014 $80,715 4 $20,179
2010 $97,628 3 $32,543
2006 $47,199 1 $47,199
2002 $63,550 3 $21,183
Total $289,092 11 $26,281