MONTGOMERY — According to unofficial election results publicized by the Secretary of State’s Office, State Rep. Kirk Hatcher and former State Rep. John Knight are headed to a Democratic primary runoff in the Alabama Senate District 26 special election.

The special primary was held on Tuesday in the predominantly Democratic district that includes much of the City of Montgomery. There are 92,209 total registered voters in SD-26. For the primary, 5,246 voted, equalling a turnout of 5.69%.

This seat was vacated in recent months as part of a guilty plea by then-State Sen. David “Coach” Burkette (D-Montgomery) for violating campaign finance law.

With 100% of boxes reporting, Hatcher narrowly avoided winning outright by garnering 2,513 votes (47.93% of the total vote).

Knight trailed considerably, receiving 20.81% (1,091 votes).

Linda Burkette, wife of the former senator, finished third in the crowded field with 10.32%. She was followed by State Rep. Tashina Morris (D-Montgomery) at 9.46% and former Montgomery County Democratic Party chair Janet May at 7.63%.

Hatcher had a large funding advantage in the primary, raising $63,059 in total. This included $25,000 from basketball legend and Alabama native Charles Barkley. In comparison, Knight raised $18,012 in the primary and Morris raised $3,985.

The only Republican to qualify in the special election was former City Councilman William Green.

The special Democratic primary runoff will occur on December 15; the ultimate winner of that contest will face Green in the special general election on March 2.

The seat is considered safely blue, as former Sen. Burkette won 80% of the vote in the 2018 general election.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn