2018 Alabama elections

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Alabama on November 6, 2018. All Alabama executive officers were up for election along with all of Alabama's seven seats in the United States House of Representatives. Primary elections took place on June 5, 2018 for both major parties.[1]

Quick facts
2018 Alabama elections
← 2016
2020 →
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Governor

Main article: 2018 Alabama gubernatorial election

Incumbent Republican governor Kay Ivey, who assumed the office upon the resignation of Robert J. Bentley in April 2017, ran for a full term against Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and independent write-in Chad Chig Martin. Ivey won with 59% of the vote.[2]

Lieutenant governor

Main article: 2018 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election

The office of lieutenant governor was vacant prior to the election.

State House Representative Will Ainsworth, State Senator Rusty Glover, and Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh[3] were running for the Republican nomination.[4][5][6][7] Pastor Will Boyd from Florence ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.[8]

Ainsworth won the general election with 61% of the votes.[9]

Attorney general

Main article: 2018 Alabama Attorney General election

Incumbent Republican attorney general Steve Marshall was appointed to the office by Governor Robert J. Bentley in February 2017. He ran for a full term against Joseph Siegelman, the son of former governor Don Siegelman. Marshall won with 58.8% of the vote.[10]

Secretary of state

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2018 Alabama Secretary of State election
← 2014
November 6, 2018
2022 →
 
Nominee John Merrill Heather Milam
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,032,425 658,537
Percentage 61.02% 38.92%
County results
Merrill:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90
Milam:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Secretary of State before election

John Merrill
Republican

 Elected Secretary of State

John Merrill
Republican

Close

Incumbent Republican secretary of state John Merrill ran for re-election to a second term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Primary results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Democratic primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Heather Milam 161,062 63.65
Democratic Lula Albert 91,965 36.35
Total votes 253,027 100
Close

Republican primary

Candidates

Primary results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Merrill (incumbent) 335,852 71.63
Republican Michael Johnson 133,014 28.37
Total votes 468,866 100
Close

General election

Predictions

More information Source, Ranking ...
Source Ranking As of
Governing Magazine[14] Safe R October 11, 2018
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Polling

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 John
Merrill (R)		 Heather
Milam (D)		 Undecided
Cygnal (R)[15] July 24–25, 2018 1,027 ± 3.1% 57% 38% 5%
Close

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Secretary of State election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Merrill (incumbent) 1,032,425 61.02
Democratic Heather Milam 658,537 38.92
Write-in 1,064 0.06
Total votes 1,692,026 100
Close

State auditor

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2018 Alabama State Auditor election
← 2014
November 6, 2018
2022 →
 
Nominee Jim Zeigler Miranda Joseph
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,018,466 665,679
Percentage 60.43% 39.49%
County results
Zeigler:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Joseph:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Auditor before election

Jim Zeigler
Republican

 Elected Auditor

Jim Zeigler
Republican

Close

Incumbent Republican state auditor Jim Zeigler ran for re-election to a second term.

Democratic nominee

  • Miranda Joseph, private auditor.[17]

Republican primary

Candidates

Primary results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Zeigler (incumbent) 262,153 55.62
Republican Stan Cooke 153,578 32.58
Republican Elliott Lipinsky 55,624 11.80
Total votes 471,355 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama State Auditor election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Zeigler (incumbent) 1,018,466 60.43
Democratic Miranda Joseph 665,679 39.49
Write-in 1,362 0.08
Total votes 1,685,507 100
Close

State treasurer

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2018 Alabama State Treasurer election
← 2014
November 6, 2018
2022 →
 
Nominee John McMillan
Party Republican
Popular vote 1,085,054
Percentage 97.14%
County results
McMillan:      >90%
Treasurer before election

Young Boozer
Republican

 Elected Treasurer

John McMillan
Republican

Close

Incumbent Republican state treasurer Young Boozer was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third consecutive term. No Democratic candidates filed to run for this office.

Republican primary

Candidates

Primary results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John McMillan 274,157 61.18
Republican David Black 95,723 21.36
Republican Stephen Evans 78,262 17.46
Total votes 448,142 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama State Treasurer election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John McMillan 1,085,054 97.14
Write-in 31,968 2.86
Total votes 1,117,022 100
Republican hold
Close

Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2018 Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries election
← 2014
November 6, 2018
2022 →
 
Nominee Rick Pate
Party Republican
Popular vote 1,081,431
Percentage 97.19%
County results
Pate:      >90%
Commissioner before election

John McMillan
Republican

 Elected Commissioner

Rick Pate
Republican

Close

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third consecutive term. No Democratic candidates filed to run for this office.

Republican primary

Candidates

Primary results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rick Pate 181,637 40.37
Republican Gerald Dial 134,868 29.98
Republican Cecil Murphy 77,363 17.20
Republican Tracy Crane 56,007 12.45
Total votes 449,875 100
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary runoff results[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rick Pate 176,739 56.71
Republican Gerald Dial 134,935 43.29
Total votes 311,674 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rick Pate 1,081,431 97.19
Write-in 31,312 2.81
Total votes 1,112,743 100
Republican hold
Close

State Supreme Court

Five seats on the Supreme Court of Alabama were up for election, of which three were contested.[22]

Chief Justice

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...
2018 Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice election
← 2012
November 6, 2018
2024 →
 
Nominee Tom Parker Bob Vance
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 975,564 723,149
Percentage 57.39% 42.55%
County results
Parker:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Vance:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Chief Justice before election

Lyn Stuart
Republican

 Elected Chief Justice

Tom Parker
Republican

Close

Incumbent Republican Chief Justice Lyn Stuart was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in 2017 to serve the remaining term of Roy Moore who was suspended.[23] Stuart ran for a full term and was challenged by Republican Associate Justice Tom Parker and Democratic Jefferson County circuit court judge Bob Vance.[24]

Republican primary

Candidates
Primary results
Primary results by county
Parker:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Stuart:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Parker 267,559 51.84
Republican Lyn Stuart (incumbent) 248,605 48.16
Total votes 516,164 100
Close

Democratic nominee

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Parker 975,564 57.39
Democratic Bob Vance 723,149 42.55
Write-in 1,073 0.06
Total votes 1,699,786 100
Republican hold
Close

Associate Justice, Place 1

Incumbent Republican Justice Brad Mendheim was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in January 2018 to replace Glenn Murdock who resigned.[25] Mendheim ran for a full term but was defeated in the primaries by Mobile County circuit court judge Sarah Hicks Stewart.[26]

Republican primary

Candidates
Primary first round
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brad Mendheim (incumbent) 203,369 43.40
Republican Sarah Hicks Stewart 137,321 29.31
Republican Debra H. Jones 127,861 27.29
Total votes 468,551 100
Close
Primary runoff
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary runoff results[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sarah Hicks Stewart 180,226 56.67
Republican Brad Mendheim (incumbent) 137,816 43.33
Total votes 318,042 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Place 1 election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sarah Hicks Stewart 1,098,344 96.80
Write-in 36,256 3.20
Total votes 1,134,600 100
Republican hold
Close

Associate Justice, Place 4

Incumbent Republican Justice James Allen Main was ineligible for re-election due to age limits imposed by the state constitution.[30]

Republican primary

Candidates
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jay Mitchell 306,025 71.05
Republican John Bahakel 124,668 28.95
Total votes 430,693 100
Close

Democratic nominee

  • Donna Smalley, lawyer.[32]

General election

Results by county
Mitchell:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Smalley:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Place 4 election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jay Mitchell 1,014,761 60.51
Democratic Donna Smalley 661,034 39.41
Write-in 1,302 0.08
Total votes 1,677,097 100
Republican hold
Close

State Appellate Courts

Three seats each on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals and Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals were up for election, of which five were contested.[33]

Court of Civil Appeals, Place 1

Incumbent Republican judge Craig Sorrell Pittman did not file for re-election.[34]

Republican primary

  • Christy Olinger Edwards, judge.[35]
  • Peyton Thetford, former judge.[35]
  • Michelle Thomason, judge.[35]
Primary first round
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Christy Olinger Edwards 167,238 40.75
Republican Michelle Thomason 131,298 31.99
Republican Peyton Thetford 111,853 27.26
Total votes 410,389 100
Close
Primary runoff
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary runoff results[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Christy Olinger Edwards 149,091 53.64
Republican Michelle Thomason 128,855 46.36
Total votes 277,946 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Place 1 election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Christy Olinger Edwards 1,084,931 97.00
Write-in 33,510 3.00
Total votes 1,118,441 100
Republican hold
Close

Court of Civil Appeals, Place 2

Incumbent Republican judge Terri Willingham Thomas ran for re-election but lost in the primary to Chad Hanson.[36]

Republican primary

Candidates
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chad Hanson 214,613 53.18
Republican Terri Willingham Thomas (incumbent) 188,982 46.82
Total votes 403,595 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Place 2 election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chad Hanson 1,081,480 97.01
Write-in 33,277 2.99
Total votes 1,114,757 100
Republican hold
Close

Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1

Incumbent Republican judge Samuel H. Welch did not file for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates
  • Richard Minor, attorney.[35]
  • Riggs Walker, prosecutor.[35]
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Minor 258,805 65.52
Republican Riggs Walker 136,174 34.48
Total votes 394,979 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Place 1 election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Minor 1,080,637 97.04
Write-in 32,927 2.96
Total votes 1,113,564 100
Republican hold
Close

Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2

Incumbent Republican judge Liles C. Burke resigned to serve as a district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.[37]

Republican primary

Candidates
Primary first round
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chris McCool 172,773 42.56
Republican Rich Anderson 141,166 34.77
Republican Dennis O'Dell 92,019 22.67
Total votes 405,958 100
Close
Primary runoff
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary runoff results[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chris McCool 153,962 55.56
Republican Rich Anderson 123,166 44.44
Total votes 277,128 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Place 2 election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chris McCool 1,079,559 97.08
Write-in 32,504 2.92
Total votes 1,112,063 100
Republican hold
Close

Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3

Incumbent Republican judge Michael Joiner did not file for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates
  • Donna Beaulieu, attorney.[35]
  • William "Bill" Cole, circuit court judge.[35]
Primary results
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William "Bill" Cole 242,487 60.18
Republican Donna Beaulieu 160,479 39.82
Total votes 402,966 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3 election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William "Bill" Cole 1,077,733 97.11
Write-in 32,076 2.89
Total votes 1,109,809 100
Republican hold
Close

Public Service Commission

The two associate commissioner seats on the Alabama Public Service Commission were up for election. Incumbent Republican commissioners Jeremy Oden, who was appointed to the commission by Governor Bentley in December 2012, and Chris "Chip" Beeker, who was first elected in 2014, were both eligible to run for re-election.

Place 1

Democratic nominee

  • Cara McClure, entrepreneur.[38]

Republican primary

Candidates
Controversy

In the weeks leading up to the primary, the state GOP unanimously decided to censure Jim Bonner as various offensive comments he made on social media were uncovered.[41] Terry Lathan, Chairman of Alabama GOP, announced the following day the party had voted not to certify ballots cast for him in the upcoming primary.[42] Jo Bonner, former U.S. Representative from the first congressional district, publicly denied any relation to him and expressed resentment over his views.[43]

Incumbent Oden narrowly defeated Bonner in the primary election; the margin of victory was wide enough to avoid an automatic recount.[44] Bonner tried to raise funds for a recount but was unsuccessful.[45] The state GOP also upheld their decision to keep his votes uncertified.[46]

Primary results
Primary results by county
Oden:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Bonner:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeremy Oden (incumbent) 222,830 50.58
Republican Jim Bonner 217,721 49.42
Total votes 440,551 100
Close

General election

Results by county
Oden:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
McClure:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Public Service Commissioner election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeremy Oden (incumbent) 1,013,072 60.42
Democratic Cara McClure 662,581 39.52
Write-in 940 0.06
Total votes 1,676,593 100
Republican hold
Close

Place 2

Democratic nominee

  • Kari Powell, small business owner.[38]

Republican primary

Candidates
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chip Beeker (incumbent) 281,753 68.66
Republican Robin Litaker 128,587 31.34
Total votes 410,340 100
Close

General election

Results by county
Beeker:
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Powell:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
More information Party, Candidate ...
2018 Alabama Public Service Commissioner election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chip Beeker (incumbent) 1,006,713 60.05
Democratic Kari Powell 668,620 39.89
Write-in 1,029 0.06
Total votes 1,676,362 100
Republican hold
Close

Alabama State Legislature

Main articles: 2018 Alabama House of Representatives election and 2018 Alabama Senate election

Every member of the Alabama state legislature was up for election in 2018. Both state senators and state representatives serve four-year terms in Alabama. After the 2014 elections, Republicans maintained control of both chambers. In 2018, all 35 Alabama Senate seats and all 105 Alabama House of Representatives seats were up for election. These seats would not be contested in a regularly scheduled election again until 2022.

The outcome of this election could affect partisan balance during post-2020 census redistricting.[49]

Senate

Republicans won 27 seats, while Democrats won eight. The Republican Party gained one seat, the 29th, which was held by an retiring independent who caucused with the Republicans.

House of Representatives

Republicans won 77 seats, while Democrats won 28. The Republican Party gained five seats.

United States House of Representatives

Main article: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama

All of Alabama's seven seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2018. Six Republicans and one Democrat were re-elected. No districts changed partisan control.

Ballot measures

Amendment 1

The Ten Commandments Amendment would allow display of the Ten Commandments on state property.[50]

Amendment 1 results by county
Yes:
  •   90–100%
  •   80–90%
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   50–60%
More information Choice, Votes ...
Amendment 1[16]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,094,677 71.65
No 433,133 28.35
Total votes 1,527,810 100.00
Close

Amendment 2

Main article: 2018 Alabama Amendment 2

The State Abortion Policy Amendment would amend the Constitution of Alabama to "support the sanctity of unborn life" and reject the notion that abortion is a right.[51]

Amendment 3

The Board of Trustees Membership for University of Alabama Amendment would make certain changes to the membership of the board of trustees of the University of Alabama.[52]

Amendment 3 results by county
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   50–60%
More information Choice, Votes ...
Amendment 3[16]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 835,707 60.30
No 550,299 39.70
Total votes 1,386,006 100.00
Close

Amendment 4

The Legislative Vacancies Amendment would change the legislative vacancy procedure to allow seats to remain vacant if the remaining term is no more than a certain length.[53]

Amendment 4 results by county
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
No:
  •   50–60%
More information Choice, Votes ...
Amendment 4[16]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 973,951 66.13
No 498,918 33.87
Total votes 1,472,869 100.00
Close

References

External links

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