Democrat wins election in conservative Alabama after focus on abortion and IVF

Marilyn Lands elected to state legislature in deep red state by significant margin after centering reproductive rights in campaign

• Alabama surprise Democratic victory - live updates

An Alabama Democrat who campaigned against the state's near-total abortion ban has won a special election to the state legislature, a stark signal that reproductive rights is a potent issue for Democratic candidates, even in the deep south.

Marilyn Lands won the state house seat on Tuesday, defeating Teddy Powell, a Republican, by 63% to 37%. Lands, a licensed professional counselor, previously ran for the seat in 2022 and lost by 7% to David Cole, a Republican who resigned last year after pleading guilty to voter fraud.