Alvin Payton Jr. is from Valdosta, Georgia. He has a bachelor's degree from Northeastern State University and a master's degree and PhD from Valdosta State University. He is married and has both children and grandchildren.

Alvin currently serves as a state representative. He was first elected in 2020 and is serving his first term. He previously served as a city councilman for the City of Valdosta for 12 years and as mayor pro tem for 10 years.

Alvin currently works as a certified manager of program improvement. He previously worked as an administrator at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, a general manager at Payton Floor Covering, and a senior administrator at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.