Donald Bennett Sr. unseats incumbent Albert Turner Jr. in disputed Perry County Democratic Primary

August 25, 2026 – MARION, Ala. – Perry County Probate Judge Carlton L. Hogue ruled that businessman Donald Bennett Sr. is the winner of the Democratic primary for Perry County Commission District 1 – defeated longtime incumbent Commissioner Albert Turner Jr.

This has become one of Alabama's most dramatic and closely scrutinized local election battles of 2026. A five member committee of the Alabama Democratic Party had declared Turner the nominee by a margin of one vote on Friday. Judge Hogue declared that the certified primary results from May 19 stand and Bennet is the winner by one vote.

The decision followed weeks of recounts, provisional ballot reviews, and a formal contest hearing that drew statewide attention.

Donald J. Bennett is a Marion businessman focused on economic development.

On election night, Bennett won, finishing with 395 votes over Turner's 387, an eight‑vote margin. What followed likely will long be disputed. The next step was to rule on the provisional ballots. There were 24 provisional ballots. Once they were counted by the Perry County canvassing board, Bennett's lead shrank to just one vote – 398 for Bennett and 397 for Turner.

The board certified Bennett as the winner, and both candidates briefly appeared to accept the outcome. This should have been the end of it, but the Alabama Democratic Party intervened and ordered a recount. This is permitted under party rules when margins are razor‑thin or procedural questions arise.

Turner claims on social media that three votes were "found" for him, but officials identified just one ballot that had not been counted during the original canvass. The inclusion of that ballot produced a tie.

Turner filed a formal election contest with the state party.

In Montgomery, the Alabama Democratic Party's Contest Committee convened a hearing on August 21. Bennett did not attend the hearing. Turner argued that the disputed ballot had been improperly excluded during the county canvass. The Democratic Party found in favor of Turner, but this was August 21. Under state law any challenge of an election outcome has to be done within 90 days of the election. That deadline for the primary was August 5.

Judge Hogue ruled that the deadline was passed and found in favor of Bennett.

Turner is the son of civil‑rights leader Albert Turner Sr. He has served on the commission since 2000 and remains a central figure in local political organizing. Perry County had a population of 11,081 – the year that Turner joined the commission. Today Perry County has a population of 8,031 – a 27.5% decrease (one of the largest decreases in the state over that time period). With a median household income of just $27,007 a year, Perry County is the poorest county in the state.

Bennett said in a statement on social media:

"Elections are not about winners and losers, they are about who is chosen to serve," said Bennett. "That's the spirit I want us to hold onto Let's come together around the things that matter most for our community: bringing investors to Perry County, supporting the businesses already here, and creating recreation and opportunity for our youth.

Our children are watching. Let's be the example."

Bennett now moves forward as the Democratic nominee, ending a dispute that showcased the importance of every single ballot in local democracy.

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