Ivey, Maddox to Face Off in November
Gov. Kay Ivey won Tuesday’s Republican primary with a significant lead over her three opponents, giving her a chance to be elected to the seat for the first time in November.
Ivey became governor last year when former Gov. Robert Bentley resigned amid an ethics scandal related to an alleged relationship with a top aide.
Ivey won with 56 percent of the vote. Her opponents were Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, State Sen. Bill Hightower and evangelist Scott Dawson.
Ivey, 73, had the strongest lead over her opponents in Jefferson, Baldwin, and Tuscaloosa counties. In her acceptance speech Tuesday night, Ivey said “liberals” wanted the governorship, but they weren’t going to get it.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, 45, will face Ivey in the November general election. He beat Sue Bell Cobb, former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, with 55.3 percent of the vote to Cobb’s 28.7 percent. Maddox had by far the strongest support in Jefferson County, with a significant backing from voters in Tuscaloosa, Madison, and Dallas counties. Money played a big role in the gubernatorial races.
Attorney General Steve Marshall will enter a runoff with former Attorney General Troy King. The winner of the July 17 runoff will face Democrat Joseph Siegelman, son of former Gov. Don Siegelman.
For secretary of state, Republican incumbent John Merrill will face Heather Milam, a political newcomer. Both candidates handily beat their opponents in the primaries.
And replacing District 5 Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington will be former Vestavia Hills City Councilman Steve Ammons. Ammons defeated former Alabama state Rep. Jack Williams. Williams was indicted on conspiracy charges in April. There was no Democratic primary in that race.
U.S. Rep. Martha Roby will face former Rep. Bobby Bright in a runoff next month. Roby faced an uphill battle after remarks she made in 2016 calling on President Donald Trump, then a nominee, to resign. She made her statements after the infamous “Access Hollywood” tapes surfaced of the president making crude remarks about women. Bright represented the district from 2009 to 2011 as a Democratic congressman, but he’s since changed parties.
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