2018 Alabama gubernatorial election facts for kids
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County results
Ivey: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Maddox: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% |
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The 2018 Alabama gubernatorial election was a big event where people in Alabama voted for their next Governor. This election happened on November 6, 2018. The main candidates were Kay Ivey, who was already the governor and a Republican, and Walter Maddox, a Democrat who was the mayor of Tuscaloosa.
Kay Ivey became governor in April 2017 after the previous governor resigned. She was running to be elected for a full term. In the end, Kay Ivey won the election. She officially started her new term on January 14, 2019.
Contents
How Candidates Are Chosen: Primaries
Before the main election, political parties hold special elections called "primaries." These primaries help each party choose one person to represent them in the general election.
Republican Primary Election
The Republican Party held its primary to decide who would run for governor. Several people wanted to be the Republican candidate.
Who Ran in the Republican Primary?
- Tommy Battle, who was the Mayor of Huntsville.
- Scott Dawson, an evangelist.
- Bill Hightower, a State Senator.
- Kay Ivey, who was the current governor.
- Michael McAllister, a former prison officer.
Republican Primary Results
Kay Ivey won the Republican primary election. This meant she would be the Republican candidate for governor in the main election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kay Ivey (incumbent) | 330,743 | 56.1% | |
| Republican | Tommy Battle | 146,887 | 24.9% | |
| Republican | Scott Dawson | 79,302 | 13.5% | |
| Republican | Bill Hightower | 29,275 | 5.0% | |
| Republican | Michael McAllister (deceased) | 3,326 | 0.6% | |
| Total votes | 589,533 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic Primary Election
The Democratic Party also held its primary election to choose their candidate for governor.
Who Ran in the Democratic Primary?
- Sue Bell Cobb, a former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
- Christopher A. Countryman, an activist and former juvenile corrections officer.
- James C. Fields, a former state representative.
- Walt Maddox, who was the Mayor of Tuscaloosa.
- Doug "New Blue" Smith.
- Anthony White, an ordained minister.
Democratic Primary Results
Walt Maddox won the Democratic primary election. This made him the Democratic candidate for governor.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Walt Maddox | 154,559 | 54.6% | |
| Democratic | Sue Bell Cobb | 82,043 | 29.0% | |
| Democratic | James Fields | 22,635 | 8.0% | |
| Democratic | Anthony White | 9,677 | 3.4% | |
| Democratic | Doug "New Blue" Smith | 9,244 | 3.3% | |
| Democratic | Christopher Countryman | 4,923 | 1.7% | |
| Total votes | 283,081 | 100.0% | ||
The Main Election: General Election
After the primary elections, Kay Ivey (Republican) and Walter Maddox (Democrat) faced each other in the general election. This was the final vote to decide who would be the next governor.
Throughout the campaign, Kay Ivey was ahead in the polls. When election day arrived, she won the race. Walter Maddox won 14 counties, including his home county of Tuscaloosa County. Kay Ivey won the other 53 counties, including large ones like Mobile County and Madison County.
General Election Results
| 2018 Alabama gubernatorial election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Republican | Kay Ivey (incumbent) | 1,022,457 | 59.46% | -4.10% | |
| Democratic | Walter Maddox | 694,495 | 40.39% | +4.15% | |
| Republican hold | |||||
Images for kids
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Map of the 2018 Alabama gubernatorial election results by county.
