In 1992, Albertson again followed Wendell Murphy when Albertson decided to run for the 5th District of the North Carolina Senate. The Democratic incumbent Murphy decided not to seek re-election. He defeated physician and Duplin County Republican Party chairman Corbett Quinn in the general election. The election of 1996 saw no primary for Albertson. He went on to face a rematch with Corbett Quinn in the general election. Albertson won 54.8% to 45.2%. Again having no primary challenge in 1998, he faced Republican activist and 1996 Republican primary candidate Mary Jo Loftin. He won the general election with just over 64% of the vote. In 2000, the last election in the 5th District before redistricting, Albertson went on to the general election without a primary and faced former state House member Cindy Watson in the general election. Albertson won with 60% of the vote.