Alabamians hit the polls yesterday for what’s been dubbed the “SEC Primary” and voter turnout was high despite severe weather.
Powerful thunderstorms and even a tornado could not keep Alabamians away from the polls yesterday. The severe weather moved through the area during evening rush hour, right about the time some people were on their way to vote. But others hit the polls earlier in the day.
“I voted for Bernie Sanders,” said Patricia Loyd of Birmingham. Her husband, Tom, voted for Ohio Governor John Kasich.
The Loyds may not share the same political beliefs, but they still manage to get along. Tom Loyd supported John Kasich over all other Republican candidates because, “I thought that he gave a good explanation of his platform and what he planned to do,” he said.
“I like Bernie Sanders because he listens,” said Patricia Loyd, who added that she also supports Hillary Clinton. “[Sanders] is just so real.
Another Kasich supporter, Harry Kahmar of Saginaw, said he was going to vote for Trump. But had a change of heart after what he calls Divine intervention.
“I believe I was led by the spirit, the spirit of God,” he said. “I mean I’m a Christian. I have to obey the spirit of God.”
In the end neither Sanders nor Kasich won Alabama. The Republican nomination went to front-runner Donald Trump, while the Democratic contest went to Hillary Clinton. And that’s good news for Clinton supporters.
“She’s had a lot of experience being the first lady, assisting her husband,” said Ella Thomas, who cast her vote in Pelham. “She’s been the Secretary of State and I think she’s more than qualified on day one to step in.”
The next time Alabamians goes to the polls will be in November to cast a final ballot for their successor to current President Barak Obama.
Fueled by voter anger at a changing America, 50 years ago a pugnacious governor from Alabama made waves and got a lot of votes. Today, Wallace allies and family see Trump walking a similar path.
Alabama’s top Republican on Capitol Hill came through the primary unscathed. Senator Richard Shelby fought off four challengers to claim a win in his primary bid for a sixth term. He told supporters at an election night event in Tuscaloosa that his long tenure is a good thing.
Results of Tuesday's Alabama Primary
The SEC Primary. Super Tuesday. Call it what you will, but today’s the day Alabamians vote for everything from local judicial races to presidential nominees. Dr. Angela Lewis, director of UAB’s political science program, tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley what’s at stake in Alabama.
What does $5 buy you in Chilton County? All the chili you could eat, line dancing, and door prizes galore. Oh, and a chance to meet Senator Richard Shelby, who spent a recent Saturday campaigning at the Chilton County Chili Cookoff.
It was a politics-heavy weekend in the state as presidential candidates swept through in the days leading up to Super Tuesday. The Clintons, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, and Donald Trump all held events throughout Alabama.
