The dust has settled from the momentous May 19 primaries, and there were very few surprises in the statewide results.
The turnout was low, which has become the norm for midterm election years in Alabama. The 23% turnout was about what it was four years ago. There were close to 900,000 votes cast. The partisan participation was about 60% Republican, and 40% Democratic, which parallels what the division of voter preference is in our state. This 60/40 split is right on course for what the results will be in the general election in November.
This 40% threshold for Democrats has been the standard for the past few decades, and it will probably not change this year. However, the Democrats have come to life this year. The past few gubernatorial elections, they have not even fielded a slate of candidates. They have secured a complete and qualified and viable lineup of state candidates for the fall. However, the results will more than likely be the same – 40/60.
Winning the Republican Primary is tantamount to election in the Heart of Dixie. The winners of the GOP primaries for the statewide office on May 19 will move on to a perfunctory coronation on November 3. However, the most interesting and competitive races will be decided on June 16 in the primary runoff elections.
The Governor’s race was never in doubt. Coach Senator Tommy Tuberville coasted to an expectant landslide victory against two unknown GOP aspirants. He got an amazing 86% of the vote without spending any of his campaign fund. He has $10 million in his campaign war chest, which he will use to destroy the hapless Doug Jones in the Fall.
One of the most impressive performances of the May 19 primary was turned in by former GOP Chairman John Wahl in the Lt. Governor’s race. He led an eight-person field with 41% of the vote. He will meet the presumptive front runner, Wes Allen, in the runoff, who got 38%. Their runoff contest will be one of the best on June 16. Wahl’s dynamic success was fueled by the big bucks Club for Growth along with the Trump endorsement. These two dynamics will continue to be with him in the runoff. This combo is tough to beat.
The Attorney General’s race resulted in the way that the late polling portended. Katherine Robertson led Jay Mitchell 40% to 35%. Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey got a strong 25% of the vote. It will be interesting to see where her votes land in the June 16 runoff between Mitchell and Robertson.
The Agriculture Commissioner’s race came out as was expected. The three-person race was between three unknown, but well-qualified candidates. Christina Woerner McInnis and Corey Hill finished in a dead heat with 35% each and will head to a June 16 runoff.
Veteran State politico Jim Zeigler led a four-person field for a seat on the Public Service Commission. He received an impressive 45% of the vote to second plan finisher Chris Beeker’s 24%. They will meet again in the June 16 runoff.
In the other Public Service Commission race, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, walloped his fellow Cullman Countian incumbent Public Service Commissioner Jeremy Oden by an impressive 75% to 25% margin.
Young Boozer coasted to an unprecedented fourth term as State Treasurer with a 68% to 32% victory over Steve Lolley.
State Auditor Andrew Sorrell matched Boozer with a 68% to 32% victory over Derek Chen, even though he was outspent 10 to 1.
Caroleene Dobson won the Secretary of State race over two opponents. She received an impressive 66% of the vote.
The marque race of the year is for the open U.S. Senate Seat being vacated by Senator Tuberville. The results mirrored the polling in the weeks leading up to the May 19 primary. As expected, Congressman Barry Moore led with 40% of the vote. His challengers, Attorney General Steve Marshall and former Navy Seal Jared Hudson, finished in a dead heat for second with 25% each. Hudson edged Marshall out of the runoff by an eyelash. However, the Club for Growth money and Trump endorsement will propel Barry Moore to an easy victory on June 16.
The real victor of the May 19 primary is one Donald J. Trump. The Trump endorsement continues to be golden in the Heart of Dixie. His endorsement propelled John Wahl, Tommy Tuberville, and Barry Moore into impressive victors.
See you next week.
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at [email protected].
