Battles Sworn In as Alabama’s Only Independent Senator

TL;DR: Jesse Battles took the oath of office Tuesday after reporting a 74-vote lead over Republican Sen. Andrew Jones. He would be Alabama’s only independent Senator, but the race remains unofficial and Jones is awaiting an automatic recount.

Jesse Battles took the oath of office Tuesday, Nov. 10, claiming a narrow victory in Senate District 10 after a campaign that began with his removal from the Republican primary ballot.

Etowah County Circuit Judge Sonny J. Steen administered the oath in Attalla. In a statement on his Facebook page, Battles said provisional and write-in votes had brought his lead over Republican incumbent Andrew Jones to 74 votes.

Battles would be the only independent in the Alabama Legislature. District 10 covers Cherokee and Etowah Counties and part of DeKalb County.

The oath came with the election still unsettled. Results remain unofficial, and Jones said Tuesday evening that he would await an automatic recount before making a final statement on the race.

“I’m humbled and honored to serve the people of District 10,” Battles said in his Facebook statement. “I look forward to working with Governor-elect Tuberville, Senate leadership, and local leaders across our district to ensure Northeast Alabama is the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Battles thanked voters and said the victory belonged to the people of the district.

“This was truly a grassroots campaign, made up of people from all different backgrounds. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who made this possible. I am humbled by your support. And I promise to be the hardest working Senator our district has ever seen.”

His path to the November ballot was far from routine.

As ALPolitics.com reported, the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee removed Battles from the GOP primary ballot in February. After efforts to restore his place failed, he announced in April that he would run as an independent.

His campaign said it gathered more than 3,000 voter signatures across the district. The Secretary of State then certified his place on the general election ballot.

Battles continued to identify as a Republican despite running outside the party’s column. His campaign stressed roads and other local projects, small businesses, family farms, veterans and law enforcement.

An Attalla business owner and family farmer, Battles previously worked in the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office. He also served as President of the Gadsden Rotary Club and has been active in local economic development.

The final vote margin still needs to be resolved. The Alabama Reflector reported that Jones put the gap at 72 votes Tuesday evening, two fewer than Battles reported. Earlier unofficial state returns showed Battles ahead by 52 votes, 20,341 to 20,289.

Jones, who sought a third term, acknowledged that overcoming the lead would be difficult. He said the recount was needed to ensure an accurate count and had not conceded as of Tuesday evening.

If the result holds, the Senate will have 24 Republicans, 10 Democrats and one independent. Republicans would retain control, while District 10 would send Montgomery a Senator who reached the ballot without the party’s nomination.