November 2018 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House
While midterm elections around the country had some interesting results, here in Alabama, things played out true to past form. Republicans kept their super majority in the legislature. They also retained all of the constitutional offices. Here’s a quick recap:
- Governor Kay Ivey became the first Republican woman elected governor in the State of Alabama. Lurleen Wallace who succeeded her husband George Wallace was elected as a Democrat in the 1960s. Ivey won a crushing victory over her Democratic challenger by a 60-40 margin.
- Will Ainsworth was elected Lt. Governor with 61% of the vote.
- Steve Marshall was elected Attorney General with 59% of the vote.
- Rick Pate was unopposed for Agriculture Commissioner.
- Greg Reed re-elected Alabama State Senate majority leader: The Senate Republican caucus met the day after elections for their caucus meeting and re-elected Senator Greg Reed of Jasper as the Senate Majority Leader. The vote was unanimous. When the legislature meets in its organizational meeting, Senator Del Marsh is expected to return as Senate Pro Tem.
- McCutcheon unanimously nominated as Speaker: The 77 members of the Alabama House Republican Caucus unanimously voted to nominate Mac McCutcheon of Madison to continue to serve as Speaker. The nomination is tantamount to election since Republicans hold a super majority. The caucus also nominated Victor Gaston of Mobile to continue to serve as Speaker Pro Tem.
