Darrio Melton thought the toughest part of getting into state politics was the June primary versus incumbent Yusuf Salaam. In winning that race for state representative and by not having any opposition in Tuesday’s general election, Melton became the state representative-elect for Dallas County.

At the time he won, Melton was confident he would be stepping into a Democrat-controlled State House. Now, he is a freshman representative in a House firmly controlled by the Republicans.

“Even during my primary contest there were a lot of polls that showed control of the House would be closer, but didn’t show the Republicans would take over,” Melton said.

In Tuesday’s general election, the Republicans not only garnered control of the Alabama House and Senate, but also swept each of the state’s constitutional offices, including governor and lieutenant governor.

With most of the elected state representatives and senators representing the Black Belt members of the Democratic Party, some are wondering if the area’s political forecast is much gloomier than before.

“I don’t think so,” Melton said. “I think it is an opportunity for all of us in the Black Belt to work more closely together to ensure our voice — and the challenges facing the Black Belt — are still heard.”

For Melton though, he is putting his faith in the words of Alabama’s newly elected governor, Republican Robert Bentley.

“The governor-elect Tuesday night said that he wanted to be the governor of all of Alabama,” Melton said. “I just want to make sure he keeps that promise.”