Bobby Singleton was elected chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party on Saturday, defeating incumbent Randy Kelley by a wide margin at the party’s organizational meeting in Montgomery.

Singleton, the Alabama Senate minority leader, received 165 votes, or 72.7%, from members of the State Democratic Executive Committee. Kelley received 62 votes, or 27.3%.

The vote ended Kelley’s four-year tenure as chairman. He was elected to lead the party in 2022.

Singleton announced his challenge to Kelley in late July, saying he wanted to improve party organization, fundraising and support for Democratic candidates across the state.

House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels nominated Singleton at Saturday’s meeting and called for Democrats to unify after the leadership vote.

Following his victory, Singleton said frustration with the party’s support for elected officials and candidates contributed to his decision to seek the chairmanship.

“I know I was getting frustrated as a member of the legislature when I looked around, and we’re in the middle of battles,” Singleton told the Alabama Reflector after the vote. “There was never the Democratic Party that supported us. I saw the Republican Party support their people.”

Singleton said he wants to bring similar organizational energy to Alabama Democrats.

Before the vote, he also told committee members he plans to hold listening tours across all 67 counties and said the party must change some of the ways it operates.

Singleton has represented Senate District 24 since 2005 and has served as the chamber’s Democratic leader for years. He will now lead the state party while continuing his role in the Alabama Senate.

Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].