The 2022 primary runoff results are in, and we now know who will be on the Nov. 8 general election ballot in several major races.
GOP U.S. Senate Race
Former Business Council of Alabama (BCA) President and CEO Katie Boyd Britt beat out Congressman Mo Brooks in the Republican race for U.S. Senate.
“I promise you I will work nonstop to defend our values and to defend our people,” said Britt Tuesday night.
Britt thanked her husband, Wesley, who has campaigned around the state with her after quitting his job to focus on the Senate race with his wife, she thanked her children and her parents, who were in attendance at her watch party. She also thanked friends, campaign staff, and supporters.
Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), who is retiring and leaving the seat vacant, endorsed Britt, who previously worked as his Chief of Staff. Britt thanked Shelby for giving her a chance and believing in her. Britt was also endorsed by President Donald Trump after he withdrew his support for Brooks in March. She thanked Trump and promised to continue his "America First" agenda in Washington.
"My family and I will be forever grateful," Britt said.
Britt will face Democrat Dr. Will Boyd and Libertarian John Sophocleus in the general election.
Other runoff races on the GOP side were for Secretary of State, State Auditor, and public service commission nominees.
GOP Secretary of State
Republican nominee Rep. Wes Allen, of Troy, will face Democrat Pamela J. Laffitte, an Air Force veteran and corrections supervisor in Mobile County, in November. Allen is a state representative and he previously served as probate judge in Pike County.
“I am thankful for the support I have received from across the state tonight,” Allen said on social media. “I look forward to continuing to meet with voters from across the state as we work toward another victory in November.”
Allen defeated outgoing State Auditor Jim Zeigler. Zeigler received the most votes among four candidates in the primary election in May, but Allen overcame the deficit.
"I congratulate Wes Allen on winning the Republican nomination for Secretary of State," Zeigler said Tuesday evening. "He has a Democrat and a Libertarian opponent in November. I endorse Wes Allen in the general election.
"I thank all the hundreds of Alabama citizens who worked for me in the primaries. We could not have gotten to the runoff without them.
"I continue to serve as State Auditor until January 2023," Zeigler added. "I will work daily for the taxpayers."
The current secretary of state, Republican John Merrill, was term-limited from running again.
GOP Fifth Congressional District
Republican voters in Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District also voted for the candidate to run for Brooks’ congressional seat. Dale Strong, a Madison County Commissioner, won the runoff over former Assistant Secretary of the Army and former Huntsville school superintendent Casey Wardynski. Strong will face Democrat Kathy Warner-Stanton of Decatur in November.
GOP State Auditor
Andrew Sorrell a state representative from Colbert County who led balloting in the May primary won the runoff for State Auditor against Stan Cooke. The two were vying to take the place of Zeigler.
Cooke, a pastor from the Jefferson County town of Kimberly, claims Alabama is at a crossroads where it could remain a conservative state or come under the control of liberal Democrats.
Sorrell said a strong auditor is needed to appoint county registrars who will keep voter rolls clean.
Sorrell will not have a Democratic opponent in the fall.
GOP Public Service Commission
Two Republican incumbents on the Alabama Public Service Commission faced runoff challenges to keep their jobs on the utility-regulating board, and at least one won.
Chip Beeker, a former Greene County commissioner first elected to the PSC Place 2 in 2014, defeated Robert L. McCollum to win the GOP nomination. Beeker portrayed himself as an opponent of Democratic environmental policies, while McCollum, a small business owner from Tallapoosa County, argued the commission is too close to Alabama Power Co.
Jeremy Oden, a former state legislator from Cullman seeking his third term on the three-member commission, cast himself as a conservative bulwark against liberal environmental policies, won the runoff for Place 1 Tuesday. He took the nomination from attorney Brent Woodall, a PSC staffer and Republican activist.
No Democrat qualified for either position, making a victory in the Republican runoff tantamount to election to the offices.
Democratic Governor
Democratic voters selected Yolanda Flowers to be their candidate in the race for Governor of Alabama. Flowers is the first Black woman in Alabama to receive the Democratic nomination for governor. She will then face popular incumbent Kay Ivey (R) and Libertarian Jimmy Blake in the general election.
Flowers, a career educator from Birmingham, ran on a platform of “reconstructing” Alabama by rebuilding its economy and systems for education, health care and criminal justice. Among other things, she advocated for a state lottery and a state minimum wage of $15.
Other results
Both major parties had other state legislative runoffs as well.
Almost four times as many people voted in the Republican primary as the Democratic primary in May, and Republicans hold every statewide office.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl issued the following statement concerning today’s ALGOP Primary Election Runoff:
“It's been a long and spirited primary election cycle," said Wahl. "Our candidates have done an amazing job, working hard to meet the voters and make the case on why they would best serve our state. Our Party is blessed to have such an incredible pool of talented individuals who want to make a difference and promote good, conservative government and principles. Congratulations to our nominees following today's ALGOP Primary Election Runoff.”
You can view all races and results on the Secretary of State’s website.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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