While most of the sound and fury is at the top of the ticket, there are plenty of interesting races down ballot worth watching.  That includes several potentially tight races for the Alabama Legislature.

There are 21 open seats in the 105-member Alabama House and another nearly two dozen incumbents on both sides of the aisle have primary challengers today.

In the 35-seat Senate, five incumbents are not seeking reelection, creating contested races in those districts. And eight incumbents — seven Republicans and one Democrat — have primary challengers.

Here are some races we are watching in the Senate…

In Huntsville’s Senate District 2, State Sen. Tom Butler is facing a primary challenge from the man who preceded him, former State Sen. Bill Holtzclaw. Interestingly, Butler also held the seat before Holtzclaw.

In Senate District 11, which includes parts of St. Clair, Talladega and Shelby Counties, there is an open seat due to the retirement of State Sen. Jim McClendon. Republicans Lance Bell and Michael Wright are vying for the nomination. There is no Democrat running.

In Senate District 12, which includes Calhoun County and part of Talladega County, Republicans Keith Kelley, Wendy Ghee Draper and Wayne Willis are on today’s ballot. The winner will face Democrat Danny McCullars in November.

In Senate District 19, current state Reps. Merika Coleman and Louise Alexander, both Democrats, are vying for the Jefferson County district that Sen. Priscilla Dunn is leaving. There is no Republican running.

And in Senate District 23, former Sen. Hank Sanders and former state Rep. Darrio Melton are among the Democrats running for the seat given up by Malika Sanders-Fortier, who is running for governor. Other Democrats on today’s ballot are Thayer Bear Spencer and Robert Stewart. Republican Michael Nimmer will be on the November ballot for the eight-county Black Belt district.

Long-time Sen. Jimmy Holley gave up his Senate District 31 seat, creating a three-man GOP race between Rep. Mike Jones, Josh Carnley and Norman Horton.

In Senate District 27, which includes portions of Lee, Tallapoosa and Russell counties, incumbent Sen. Tom Whatley is being challenged by Auburn City Council member Jay Hovey.

Other state Senate incumbents with primary challengers today are: Tim Melson (John Sutherland), Randy Price (John Allen Coker), Dan Roberts (Brian Christine), Shay Shelnutt (Mike Dunn), Linda Coleman-Madison (Rodney Huntley), Greg Albritton (Stephen Sexton), Billy Beasley (Frank “Chris” Lee).

Campaign spending

We’ve tabulated all the direct campaign spending between the candidates in the contested Senate races.

Senate District 1

• Sen. Tim Melson – $103,017
• John Sutherland – $8,847

Senate District 2

• Sen. Tom Butler – $535,266
• Bill Holtzclaw – $22,000

Senate District 11

• Lance Bell – $84,848
• Michael Wright – $9,114

Senate District 12 

• Keith Kelley – $76,447
• Wendy Draper – $154,889
• Wayne Willis – $9,496

Senate District 13

• Sen. Randy Price – $277,688
• John Allen Coker – $5,680

Senate District 15

• Sen. Dan Roberts – $254,782
• Brian Christine – $218,217

Senate District 17

• Sen. Shay Shelnutt – $106,358
• Mike Dunn – $0

Senate District 22

• Sen. Greg Albritton – $344,329
• Stephen Sexton – $0

Senate District 27

• Sen. Tom Whatley – $1,221,743
• Jay Hovey – $94,674

Senate District 31

• Mike Jones – $621,571
• Josh Carnley – $388,422

Full Senate chart:

There are 21 open seats in the 105-member Alabama House and another nearly two dozen incumbents on both sides of the aisle have primary challengers today.

Full House chart: