Parker Defeats Vance: Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Wrap-Up
Justice Tom Parker is Alabama’s new Supreme Court chief justice after defeating Jefferson County Circuit Judge Bob Vance, according to preliminary results.
Parker overwhelming won the state while Vance led Jefferson County. As Alabama Supreme Court associate justice, Parker has been a staunch supporter of former chief justice Roy Moore.
This was Vance’s second time to run for the head of Alabama’s court system. Leading up to Tuesday’s election, Vance campaigned with support across party lines and raised more money than Parker. Vance’s supporters had been hopeful for a victory, drawing parallels to the 2017 special election when Democrat Doug Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore, former chief justice of the state Supreme Court.
Vance congratulated Parker at his campaign watch party in Birmingham Tuesday night following the announcement of the race results.
“While tonight was disappointing, nevertheless the journey has been very, very rewarding for me personally and I thank everyone on the campaign team for that,” Vance said.
John Pittman, who attended the Vance campaign watch party, said the loss reflects a hurdle for Democrats statewide.
“No matter what happens on a national stage, it doesn’t seem to really change anything locally,” Pittman said.
As of Tuesday night, Bob Vance said he had not yet called to personally concede the race to Tom Parker. Vance said he will continue to serve as a circuit judge in Jefferson County, a post he has held for the past 16 years.
WBHM’s Mary Scott Hodgin contributed to this story.
NASA spots a new comet flying in from a distant star system
The newly discovered interstellar visitor is just the third of its kind and fascinates astronomers who hope to learn from it about galaxies far, far away.
How the Irish band Kneecap went from rising hip-hop group to global lightning rod
Kneecap, three young men from Northern Ireland who rap in Irish, has risen to prominence in recent years, with controversy surrounding its shows and political statements.
Ghost guns may make a comeback, despite a Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court upheld federal restrictions on the kit guns in March, but gun rights groups hope the Trump administration -- or the courts -- will still roll them back.
The U.S. labor market remains solid, with employers adding 147,000 jobs last month
U.S. employers added 147,000 jobs in June as the unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%. Job gains were concentrated in health care and state and local government.
Jenny Han is an expert in embarrassment
Jenny Han feels close to her teen self, which explains why her books and their adaptations connect with teen audiences. She spoke with Rachel about the potency of shame and what she's selfish about.
In theaters now: A post-apocalyptic thriller, a steamy noir and, yes, dinosaurs
The newest Jurassic installment is roaring into theaters. Meanwhile, Danielle Deadwyler is determined to defend her family's land in the post-apocalyptic thriller 40 Acres.