Alabama Senator David Burkette resigns amid allegations of ethics violations

Montgomery, Ala. – David Burkette, who represented parts of Montgomery in the Alabama Senate, has resigned his seat effective immediately following allegations of campaign finance violations stemming from his initial run for office.

In October of 2019, the Alabama Ethics Commission referred possible ethics violations

against Burkette, a longtime Montgomery basketball coach, for prosecution on a 4-0 vote. Burkette is a former educator who worked for the Montgomery public school system prior to running for the Alabama State Senate. Local and state law enforcement have not released any additional details as to any sort of plea deal that may have been negotiated. Burkette told Alabama Daily News that he was growing “weary” and was bound by confidentiality not to talk about his case.

Burkette, a Democrat, initially ran to fill the vacated seat of former Senator and now Alabama State University President Quinton Ross in early 2018, defeating long-time Alabama House member John Knight in a special election. Burkette won the rematch against Knight in the Democratic primary before defeating D.J. Johnson in the general

election in November of 2018. Shortly after winning the election in 2018, Burkette suffered a stroke and endured months of physical therapy. Governor Ivey will soon set dates for a special election to fill Burkette’s seat.