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.