The Democratic nominee seeking an open North Alabama State Senate seat was found by a Florida court to have stalked a former romantic partner after she accused him of threatening that she deserved “a bullet” in her head, forcing his way into her home and waging a months-long campaign of harassment.

Court records reviewed by Yellowhammer News show a Duval County judge entered a final injunction for protection against stalking against Rudolph Valentino Drake in May 2022.

Drake is now the Democratic nominee for Alabama Senate District 2. His campaign website says he is running to bring “integrity, service, and real results” to Montgomery and touts the values of “hard work, honesty, and taking care of your neighbors.”

The court record tells a far more disturbing story.

The woman first petitioned for protection from Drake in November 2021, telling the court under oath that their interactions had “become physical” and that Drake had grabbed her, made threats, repeatedly come to her home and refused to leave.

She accused Drake of trespassing on her property, following her in public and sending her photographs he had taken of her without her permission.

“Respondent has grabbed me, made threats, habitually come to my home and refused to leave, follow me in public, took pictures he texted me,” she wrote in the petition.

She also alleged that Drake “said I deserved a bullet in my head if he didn’t have anything to lose.”

The woman returned to court in May 2022 seeking another protective order, reporting that Drake’s conduct had continued and escalated.

In the renewed petition, she alleged that Drake sent her nude photographs of herself and threatened to distribute private and embarrassing health information. She said he accused her of prostitution and, when she refused to respond, began contacting members of her family.

According to her sworn account, Drake sent relatives messages describing alleged sex acts, called her a prostitute and made graphic claims about her relationships with men, women and coworkers.

The woman further alleged that Drake forced his way into her home, repeatedly followed her and repositioned security cameras installed at her residence. She reported seeing him sitting outside her home in a vehicle and said he continued showing up at social gatherings looking for her.

“His actions continue to escalate,” she wrote.

She told the court she feared Drake could damage her career because of his position and access to high-ranking government and military personnel.

Following the petition, the court entered a Final Judgment of Injunction for Protection Against Stalking on May 24, 2022.

The court found, “based on the specific facts of this case,” that the woman was a victim of stalking. The injunction ordered Drake to stay away from her and prohibited him from going within 500 feet of her residence, workplace, school or other protected locations.

It also barred him from intentionally coming within 100 feet of her vehicle and from contacting or communicating with her except through a third party specifically permitted by the order.

The injunction remained in force until May 24, 2023. Drake signed an acknowledgment confirming that he received a certified copy of the final judgment.

The proceeding was civil. The records reviewed by Yellowhammer News do not reflect a related criminal charge or conviction. While the individual acts described in the petitions were allegations made by the woman under oath, the court independently entered a final judgment finding that she had been a victim of stalking and imposed the stay-away order against Drake.

Records also establish that the man named in the Florida cases is the current Alabama candidate.

The petitions and final judgment identify the respondent by his full name, Rudolph Valentino Drake. The two proceedings were formally linked by the Duval County clerk, and the earlier case contains Drake’s 1963 birth year.

In a phone interview on Thursday evening, Drake, running for Alabama Senate District 2, confirmed to Yellowhammer News that he is the same Rudolph Valentino Drake that was subject to the Florida court proceedings.

Drake was given an opportunity to respond in writing to the allegations, but did not reply in time for publication. This story will be updated if a response is received.

His Florida address corresponds with property records involving Rudolph Drake and Pamela M. Drake, the same name Drake lists for his wife in Alabama disclosures and campaign materials.

Drake personally signed the final stalking order using his full name.

Public records indicate Drake registered to vote in Alabama in 2022, the same year the injunction was entered and the Florida property connected to Drake and his wife was sold.

Drake, a Navy veteran and former Department of Defense police officer, won the Democratic nomination after a closely contested primary. He led the May primary with 36.57% before defeating Alex House in the June runoff with 53.49%, receiving 3,146 votes to House’s 2,736.

He will face Republican nominee John Roberts in the November 3 general election.

The Limestone and Madison County district is currently represented by State Sen. Tom Butler (R-Madison), who did not seek another term. The Alabama Democratic Party has formally certified Drake as its nominee.

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee