2018 Alabama Primary Election Coverage
By Michael Kelley
For the Record
Governor Kay Ivey held off four challengers and avoided a runoff in her quest to a full four-year gubernatorial term by narrowly beating Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle in the Republican primary. Ivey’s 55 percent of the vote easily staved off a runoff with Battle, whose 65 percent of the Madison County vote was not enough to counter Ivey’s strong surge from central and south Alabama.
“Tonight’s results show Alabama is on the right track, but we are not stopping here, Ivey told her supporters shortly after being declared the winner just before 10 pm. “I will continue to fight to maintain your trust.”
On the Democratic side, Walt Maddox took an early lead in the voting and held it throughout the evening. Maddox, who received the support of the Alabama Black Caucus, did especially well in largely African American centers like Jefferson County.
Congressman Mo Brooks easily marched to a Republican primary win and a possible third term as 5th District Congressman over challenger Clay Hinchman, 61 percent to 39 percent.
Madison County Republicans outvoted their Democratic rivals nearly 3 to 1 in yesterday’s primary races, casting 42,719 votes to the 17,093 Democratic votes, according to a website monitoring voter turnout. As of 10:30, WHNT-TV showed the following unofficial totals in selected statewide and state Senate and House of Representative races.
In the Republican race for Lieutenant Governor, Twinkle Cavanaugh received 44 percent to Will Ainsworth’s 39 percent. Rusty Glover finished a distant third with 18 percent of the total vote.
In the Republican primary for Secretary of State, incumbent John Merrill won handily with 72 percent versus Michael Johnson’s 28percent. On the Democratic side, Heather Milam took 62 percent to Lula Albert’s 38percent.
The widely-watched Attorney General race saw incumbent Steve Marshall, appointed by former governor Robert Bentley to serve the office vacated by Jeff Sessions, in a tight four-way race with challengers Troy King, Alice Martin and Chess Bedsole. Martin received 29 percent to King’s 28 percent, Martin’s 24 percent and Bedsole’s 20 percent.
Two State Senate races produced clear-cut winners. In District 2, Democrat Amy Wasyluka’s 68 percent of the vote will pit her against Republican Tom Butler, who got 66 percent of the Republican primary vote. However, the District 7 race will feature a showdown between Republican Sam Givhan and the winner of the runoff between Democrats Diedra Willis and Deborah Barros. In District 8, Republican Steve Livingston took 79 percent of the total and will run unopposed.
Local state representative races included Districts 10 and 22. In District 10, Republican Mike Ball took 73 percent of the vote and will run unopposed. The District 22 race saw Richie Whorton take 55 percent of the Republican vote, and will also face no Democratic opposition.
