J. T. Waggoner
Alabama State Senator, District 16 since 1990. Ran in 19 elections between 1970 and 2022, winning 17. Re-elected in 2026. Next on the ballot in 2030.
Alabama State Senator, District 16Born 1937
- In office
- 36 yrs
- Since 1990
- Bills became law
- 22
- 97 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
- Votes missed
- 5.1%
- Chamber median 7.1%
- With party
- 100%
- On votes splitting the parties
- Last margin
- +7.5
- Won 2026
- Next election
- 2030
- Nov 5, 2030
Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 1:52 PM ET
Committees
As of 2026-10.
- Confirmations · vice chair
- Jefferson County Legislation · chair
- Rules · chair
- Banking and Insurance
- Finance and Taxation Education
- Finances and Budget Permanent Legislative
- Public Accounts Legislative
- Shelby County Legislation
- Transportation
Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Legislation
Retirement · Became law Apr 2026
Children · Became law May 2025
Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET
Voting record
Where Waggoner sits in the Alabama State Senate
Waggoner is closer to the center than 63% of the chamber's Republicans.
Closest: Jay Hovey, Randy Price, Garlan Gudger
Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:44 PM ET
With Waggoner’s party
- Votes with the chamber's Republicans100%
Black tick: the average of Republicans in the Alabama State Senate.
Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships
Key votes
Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Waggoner’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Republicans.
| Date | Bill | Waggoner | Rep. majority | Dem. majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2026 | HJR 326: Recognizing the need for a north-south transportation route in East Alabama | Yes | Yes | Yes | Passed 28–1 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | SB 341: Alabama Work Zone Safety Act; pilot program to establish photographic speed enforcement… | Yes | Yes | Yes | Passed 30–1 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | SB 199: Sex offenders; restrictions for certain sex offenders further provided, Board of Pardons… | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 26–6 |
| Apr 8, 2026 | HB 556: Montgomery County; legislative delegation, office and fund established | Yes | Yes | Yes | Passed 28–1 |
| Apr 8, 2026 | SB 361: Dogs; tethering and confinement requirements provided; persons and activities exempted;… | Yes | Yes | Yes | Passed 17–1 |
Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls
Career
Offices held, and every time Waggoner was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.
Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
Elections
Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: civicAPI (unofficial)Updated Nov 8, 2026, 7:01 PM ET
Campaign money, 2025–26
- Raised
- $619.9K
- Spent
- $730.1K
Source: Alabama Secretary of State filings through Oct 30, 2026Updated Nov 7, 2026, 1:13 PM ET
Campaign committees
Open committees can still raise and spend money.
| James Waggoner PCC State | Active |
Source: Alabama Secretary of State filings through Oct 30, 2026Updated Nov 7, 2026, 1:13 PM ET
Seats Waggoner has held
- Alabama State Senate, District 16 · since 1990
- Alabama House of Representatives, District 51 · 1974–1986
- Alabama House of Representatives, District 14 · 1970–1974
Source: 99chambers results archive
Who Waggoner has run against
- Spencer Stone (D) · 2026 election, won
- Lindsey Deckard (D) · 2018 election, won
- Bell (D) · 2014 election, won
- Russ Parker (D) · 2006 election, won
- Johns (D) · 1998 election, won
- Greg Beers (R) · 1983 election, lost
- J. Arthur Jones (R) · 1978 election, won
- J. Lester Alexander (R) · 1974 election, won
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: civicAPI (unofficial)
How we know Waggoner
One person, matched across every source we use.
- Open States ocd-person/bdfa9580-2ce0-4828-8f9e-52e6f066fbce
- Wikidata Q6107237
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 1:52 PM ET