As we at Twitchy reported before, on Tuesday Alabamians held a run-off election for the position of State Representative to represent House District 55, which includes a good portion of western Jefferson County and extends from Birmingham’s Southside into West End, Ensley, and Fairfield. It was a choice between Travis Hendrix, a 40-year-old sergeant with the Birmingham Police Department and SRO, and 26-year-old Sylvia Swain, a transgender woman who is a resident of Birmingham's Highland Park area.
Travis Hendrix, a 40-year old Birmingham police officer, is heading to the Alabama State House after winning a runoff election in Jefferson County on Tuesday.
— AL.com (@aldotcom) October 25, 2023
Hendrix, a Democrat, prevailed against Democrat Sylvia Swayne to represent House District 55. https://t.co/f1gRvYPEFS
In an interview with local outlet, AL . com, Hendrix had this to say about his win:
I want the people to know that I’m truly, truly grateful and all I’m trying to do and what I will do is do my best to improve the quality of life for the people of District 55.
If you will remember our previous reporting on this election battle, David Hogg came to Birmingham in an attempt to help Swain defeat Hendrix. This was Hogg's first election to get involved with along with his new activist group, Leaders We Deserve. Also his first loss with said group. It's almost as if he has no idea what Alabama voters value.
While we didn’t win our first race with leaders we deserve- we still made history. Sylvia Swayne was the first openly transgender person to ever run for any office in Alabama state history. She would have been one of the youngest too. On top of that she refused to take corporate…
— David Hogg 🟧 (@davidhogg111) October 25, 2023
His full post reads:
While we didn’t win our first race with leaders we deserve- we still made history. Sylvia Swayne was the first openly transgender person to ever run for any office in Alabama state history. She would have been one of the youngest too. On top of that she refused to take corporate money which is good but does make things harder. So it was an uphill battle from the start. But It’s important to remember how many of our leaders lost their first election. When John Lewis ran for congress he lost the first time as did Obama, Bill Clinton and many many more. The beauty of working with young candidates is that they can always run again and have them to do so. While losing does suck, having the courage to run and show other young people and especially young trans people that there are people running is a win. Trying to change history and losing is better than not trying at all. By seeing someone like Sylvia run who knows who may now be inspired to run that previously would have never thought it was possible. Historically prior the the founding of the United States, peacefully accepting the results of an election was the exception and not the rule. Upholding that democratic tradition of accepting defeat is the single most important thing any canidate can do. Participating in that sacred tradition especially in a time where it is under attack is not a loss. We were with Sylvia when she ran and we will be with her after. I’m sure this will not be the last time you all hear from Sylvia Swayne.
How did Alabamians find themselves in this special election? Former Representative of House District 55 Fred Plump got himself involved in a kickback scheme that involved public funds. Plump plead guilty to the charges and resigned back in May.
Swain is also quoted in the AL . com piece as thanking Hendrix for "keeping me one my toes during this election" and saying this in his concession speech:
I might be the first transgender woman to run in the state of Alabama, but I’ll be damned if I’m the last. People want to see change. People want to see something different.
It looks like he was wrong about what Alabama voters ACTUALLY want to see.
A police officer with years serving his community won the election with half the funding of his opponent. Telling that his opponent was DC backed and gender confused. When tackling the issues, I'm glad his district chose someone who knows what he's talking about. pic.twitter.com/t60yQB3NJp
— Asha'Man Jedi (@mhaelkatarn) October 25, 2023
Could it be that the Alabamans have strong family values, and were worried about what effect Sylvia would have in the state?
— Jordan (@jorjorward) October 25, 2023
We couldn't have said it any better ourselves.
Mayor @randallwoodfin embraces Travis Hendrix after his runoff victory to represent District 55 Tuesday night. The Birmingham police officer, heads to the State House after winning a runoff against Sylvia Swayne. https://t.co/bBizxlXO7J pic.twitter.com/mmqveAnKzE
— Joseph D. Bryant (@NewsmanBryant) October 25, 2023
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin endorsed Hendrix, as did Alabama House Democratic Leader Rep. Anthony Daniels.
Great news! https://t.co/yAp3txThoq
— Sheri 👩🦰 (@redsheri1) October 25, 2023
Seconded.
Congratulations to you, Officer Hendrix! Make Alabama proud!
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