Incumbent Sen. J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner will continue serving District 16 as he was re-elected to the seat during the Tuesday, Nov. 6, midterm election, defeating his Democratic opponent Lindsey Deckard.

With 12 of 29 precincts counted, Waggoner emerged victorious receiving 16,704 votes, or 67 percent, compared to Deckard’s 8,193 votes, or 33 percent. With 44 or 45 precincts counted in Shelby County, Waggoner garnered 70.53 percent of the votes, or 11,131. Deckard brought in 29.39 percent of the votes, or 4,639.

Waggoner has been representing District 16 since 1990. Previously, he was a member of the House of Representatives from 1966-1983 as a Democrat.

Waggoner received his undergraduate degree from Birmingham Southern College and his juris doctor from Birmingham School of Law. He and his wife, Marilyn, are the parents of four children and grandparents of seven.