Primary Runoff Election 2014 Results
Alabama voters made their selections in statewide, state legislative, congressional and local primary runoffs Tuesday.
In a race closely watched in North Alabama, policy analyst Gary Palmer secured the Republican nomination in Alabama’s 6th Congressional district. Palmer defeated State Representative Paul DeMarco. The six weeks between the June primary and the Tuesday runoff were marked by heated campaigning and negative ads. Alabama’s 6th Congressional district is solidly Republican, giving Palmer a high chance of winning the general election in November. The winner of that race replaces retiring longtime U.S. Representative Spencer Bachus of Vestavia Hills.
Here are the results from key races with the winner declared by the Associated Press.
Statewide Races
Secretary of State (GOP)
100 percent precincts reporting
John Merrill – 53 percent
Reese McKinney – 47 percent
Auditor (GOP)
100 percent precincts reporting
Jim Zeigler – 65 percent
Dale Peterson – 35 percent
Public Service Comm Place 2 (GOP)
100 percent precincts reporting
Chip Beeker – 59 percent
Terry Dunn – 41 percent
Congressional Race
U.S. House District 6 (GOP)
100 percent precincts reporting
Gary Palmer – 64 percent
Paul DeMarco – 36 percent
Alabama voters also approved a constitutional amendment that will allow cotton farmers to vote to make a fee mandatory that they have been paying voluntarily on each bale of cotton.
With 99 percent of the precincts reporting Tuesday night, the constitutional amendment was passing with 67 percent voting yes and 33 percent voting no.
The $1 a bale fee is now paid on all cotton when it’s delivered to the gin, but those who don’t want to pay it can get a refund. Less than 10 percent usually request a refund. The fee is used for cotton promotion and research.
The constitutional amendment drew supported from the Alabama Farmers Federation and other agricultural groups.
Workers at Alabama’s Mercedes plants vote against joining a union
The workers voted 56% against the union, according to tallies released by the National Labor Relations Board, which ran the election.
Taylor Hunnicutt is championing her home state with debut album ‘Alabama Sound’
Alabama offers a diverse symphony of swampy rock, swaggering blues, murky country, and bone-rattling soul. It’s a sound singer-songwriter Taylor Hunnicutt recently reimagined on her debut album, Alabama Sound, which is out now.
UAB building among Alabama’s first to feature ‘bird safe’ glass
Advocates hope the new glass will prevent window collisions, a leading causes of bird mortality.
Researchers look into community health impact of wood pellet production in rural Mississippi
Brown University and Tougaloo College students are testing for potential air and noise pollution near the Drax wood pellet plant in Gloster, Mississippi.
Alabama coal company sued for a home explosion is delinquent on dozens of penalties
Crimson Oak Grove Resources has been cited for 204 safety violations since the March 8 blast, many involving “significant and substantial” safety violations.
The United Auto Workers faces a key test in the South with upcoming vote at Alabama Mercedes plant
The United Auto Workers is aiming for a key victory at Mercedes-Benz in Alabama. More than 5,000 workers at the facility in Vance and nearby battery plant will vote this week on whether to join the UAW.
