2010 Alabama elections#Public Service Commissioner

Elections were held in Alabama on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Primary elections were held on June 1, 2010, with the run-off on July 13.

The 2010 elections were historic for Republicans in that it won majorities of both chambers of Alabama's State Legislature and swept all statewide races on the ballot; Democrats had held majorities in both of Alabama's state legislative chambers since 1874.

Federal

[edit]

United States Senate

[edit]

The nominees were incumbent Richard Shelby (Republican Party) and attorney William G. Barnes (Democratic Party).

United States House

[edit]

All seven Alabama seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2010.

State

[edit]

Governor

[edit]

Incumbent Governor Bob Riley was ineligible for re-election due to term limits.

2010 Alabama gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert J. Bentley 860,472 57.59%
Democratic Ron Sparks 625,710 41.87%
Write-in 8,091 0.54%
Total votes 1,494,273 100%
Republican hold

Lieutenant governor

[edit]

Incumbent Democratic Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom Jr. lost to Republican Treasurer Kay Ivey.[1]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kay Ivey[3] 255,205 56.64%
Republican Hank Erwin[4] 141,420 31.38%
Republican Gene Ponder[5] 53,965 11.98%
Total votes 450,590 100%

General election

[edit]
Results by county
Ivey:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Folsom:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2010 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kay Ivey 764,112 51.47%
Democratic Jim Folsom Jr.[7] (incumbent) 718,636 48.40%
Write-in 1,945 0.13%
Total votes 1,484,693 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

Secretary of State

[edit]
Results by county
Chapman:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Gilliland:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%

Incumbent Secretary of State Beth Chapman was successful in her bid for a second term.[8]

2010 Alabama Secretary of State election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Beth Chapman[9] (incumbent) 904,021 62.30%
Democratic Scott Gilliland[10] 546,131 37.63%
Write-in 981 0.07%
Total votes 1,451,133 100%

Attorney general

[edit]

Incumbent Attorney General Troy King lost his re-election bid in the Republican primary.[11]

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Luther Strange[12] 284,853 60.13%
Republican Troy King[13] (incumbent) 188,874 39.87%
Total votes 473,727 100%

Democratic primary

[edit]
First round
[edit]
Democratic primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Anderson[15] 136,807 49.60%
Democratic Giles Perkins[16] 85,847 31.12%
Democratic Michel Nicrosi[17] 53,171 19.28%
Total votes 275,825 100%
Runoff
[edit]
Democratic primary runoff results[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Anderson 70,315 60.03%
Democratic Giles Perkins 46,814 39.97%
Total votes 117,129 100%

General election

[edit]
Results by county
Strange:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Anderson:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2010 Alabama Attorney General election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Luther Strange 868,520 58.84%
Democratic James Anderson 606,270 41.07%
Write-in 1,285 0.09%
Total votes 1,476,075 100%
Republican hold

State Treasurer

[edit]

Incumbent Treasurer Kay Ivey did not seek re-election and successfully ran for lieutenant governor instead.

Republican primary

[edit]
Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Young Boozer[19] 305,467 64.76%
Republican George Wallace Jr.[20] 166,206 35.24%
Total votes 471,673 100%

Democratic primary

[edit]
Democratic primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charley Grimsley[21] 159,141 59.94%
Democratic Jeremy Sherer[22] 106,356 40.06%
Total votes 265,497 100%

General election

[edit]
Results by county
Boozer:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Grimsley:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2010 Alabama Treasurer election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Young Boozer 875,965 60.04%
Democratic Charley Grimsley 581,930 39.89%
Write-in 1,030 0.07%
Total votes 1,458,925 100%
Republican hold

Auditor

[edit]
Results by county
Shaw:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Joseph:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%

Incumbent Auditor Samantha Shaw was successful in her bid for a second term.[23]

2010 Alabama Auditor election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Samantha Shaw[24] (incumbent) 893,229 62.65%
Democratic Miranda Joseph[24] 531,233 37.26%
Write-in 1,301 0.09%
Total votes 1,425,763 100%

Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries

[edit]

Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Ron Sparks was term-limited and unsuccessfully ran for governor.

Republican primary

[edit]
First round
[edit]
Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John McMillan[25] 151,177 36.53%
Republican Dorman Grace[26] 145,524 35.17%
Republican Dale Peterson[27] 117,091 28.30%
Total votes 413,792 100%
Runoff
[edit]
Republican primary runoff results[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John McMillan 216,824 51.90%
Republican Dorman Grace 200,959 48.10%
Total votes 417,783 100%

General election

[edit]
Results by county
McMillan:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Zorn:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2010 Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John McMillan 862,901 59.61%
Democratic Glen Zorn[29] 583,255 40.29%
Write-in 1,405 0.10%
Total votes 1,447,561 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

Public Service Commissioner

[edit]

Republicans flipped both seats, defeating incumbent Democrats and regaining majority.[30]

Place 1

[edit]
Republican primary
[edit]

First round

Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh[31] 199,543 49.38%
Republican Stephen Evans[31] 104,492 25.86%
Republican Chip Beeker[31] 100,070 24.76%
Total votes 404,105 100%

Runoff

Republican primary runoff results[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh 253,165 61.75%
Republican Stephen Evans 156,846 38.25%
Total votes 410,011 100%
General election
[edit]
Seat 1 results by county
Cavanaugh:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Cook:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2010 Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1 election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh 819,652 56.41%
Democratic Jan Cook[32] (incumbent) 632,023 43.49%
Write-in 1,491 0.10%
Total votes 1,453,166 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

Place 2

[edit]
Republican primary
[edit]
Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Terry Dunn[33] 186,628 51.60%
Republican Chip Brown[33] 175,060 48.40%
Total votes 361,688 100%
General election
[edit]
Seat 2 results by county
Dunn:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Parker:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2010 Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2 election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Terry Dunn 785,305 54.96%
Democratic Susan Parker[34] (incumbent) 642,579 44.98%
Write-in 901 0.06%
Total votes 1,428,785 100%
Republican gain from Democratic

State Board of Education

[edit]

Republicans flipped one district.[6]

State Office Party Incumbent Status Party Candidate Votes %
District 2 Republican Betty Peters Republican Betty Peters 108,974 60.9%
Democratic Betty Letlow 69,951 39.1%
District 4 Democratic Ethel Hall Democratic Yvette Richardson 96,175 63.8%
Republican Tom Dooley 54,427 36.1%
District 6 Republican David Byers Republican Charles Elliott 153,057 78.0%
Democratic Kimberly Harbin Drake 43,046 21.9%
District 8 Democratic Mary Jane Caylor Republican Mary Scott Hunter 122,547 63.0%
Democratic Mary Ruth Yates 71,796 36.9%

State Senate

[edit]

All 35 seats of the Alabama Senate were up for election in 2010.

Prior to the election the Democrats held a 20–14 edge; after the election the GOP captured control 22–12 (one seat vacant).

State House of Representatives

[edit]

All 105 seats in the Alabama House of Representatives were up for election in 2010.

Prior to the election the Democrats had a 60–44 edge; after the election the GOP took control 62–42 (one seat vacant).

State judiciary

[edit]

Five judicial positions were up for election in 2010, of which four were contested.[35]

Supreme Court

[edit]
Associate Justice, Place 1
[edit]
Results by county
Wise:
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Chambers:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%

Incumbent Justice Patricia M. Smith chose not to seek re-election and retired at the end of her term.[36]

2010 Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Place 1 election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alisa Kelli Wise[37] 912,463 62.87%
Democratic Rhonda Chambers[38] 537,670 37.05%
Write-in 1,169 0.08%
Total votes 1,451,302 100%
Republican hold
Associate Justice, Place 2
[edit]

Republican primary

Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael F. Bolin[39] (incumbent) 288,371 69.44%
Republican Tracy Cary[40] 126,891 30.56%
Total votes 415,262 100%

General election

Results by county
Bolin:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Edwards:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2010 Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Place 2 election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael F. Bolin (incumbent) 907,234 62.73%
Democratic Tom Edwards[41] 537,966 37.20%
Write-in 1,080 0.07%
Total votes 1,446,280 100%
Associate Justice, Place 3
[edit]

Republican primary

Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Parker[42] (incumbent) 239,458 60.24%
Republican Eric Johnston[43] 113,782 28.63%
Republican James Houts[44] 44,259 11.13%
Total votes 397,499 100%

General election

Results by county
Parker:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Parsons:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2010 Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Place 3 election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Parker (incumbent) 849,323 58.89%
Democratic Mac Parsons[45] 591,678 41.03%
Write-in 1,155 0.08%
Total votes 1,442,156 100%

Appellate Courts

[edit]
Court of Civil Appeals
[edit]
Results by county
Bryan:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Paseur:
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
2010 Alabama Court of Civil Appeals election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tommy Bryan[46] (incumbent) 843,709 58.69%
Democratic Deborah Paseur[46] 592,930 41.24%
Write-in 963 0.07%
Total votes 1,437,602 100%

Ballot measures

[edit]

Five statewide measures were on the ballot in Alabama - one in June and four in November. All five of them were rejected by voters.[47]

Amendment 1 (June)

[edit]
Amendment 1 (June) results by county
No:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%

The Alabama Propane Gas Promotion Program Amendment would enact legislation to assess the propane gas industry for financial promotion programs.[48]

Amendment 1 (June)[49]
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 408,266 59.97
Yes 272,457 40.03
Total votes 680,723 100.00

Amendment 1 (November)

[edit]
Amendment 1 (November) results by county
No:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%

The Alabama Ad Valorem Tax Amendment would change the Alabama Constitution to state that any prohibition against collections of any new taxes levied apply only to ad valorem taxes levied under the provisions of Amendment 778, enacted in 2006.[50]

Amendment 1 (November)[6]
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 610,643 54.85
Yes 502,726 45.15
Total votes 1,113,369 100.00

Amendment 2

[edit]
Amendment 2 results by county
No:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%

The Alabama Special County Educational Tax Amendment would provide that special county educational taxes be levied by a majority vote, instead of three fifths vote.[51]

Amendment 2[6]
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 606,357 52.32
Yes 552,525 47.68
Total votes 1,158,882 100.00

Amendment 3

[edit]
Amendment 3 results by county
No:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%

The Alabama Ten Year Road and Bridge Construction Program Amendment would call for a ten year road and bridge construction program to be funded by appropriations from the Alabama Trust Fund.[52]

Amendment 3[6]
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 702,340 56.99
Yes 530,017 43.01
Total votes 1,232,357 100.00

Amendment 4

[edit]
Amendment 4 results by county
No:
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Yes:
  •   70–80%
  •   60–70%
  •   50–60%
Tie:
  •   50%

The Alabama City/County Tax Amendment would settle a local sales tax dispute in Blount County.[53]

Amendment 4[6]
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 474,867 50.36
Yes 468,164 49.64
Total votes 943,031 100.00

Local

[edit]

Many elections for county offices were also held on November 2, 2010.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lowry, Bob (November 3, 2010). "Kay Ivey completes stunning GOP sweep in slim victory for lieutenant governor seat". AL.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Election Results – Republican Primary". sos.alabama.gov. June 11, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  3. ^ "Kay Ivey unveils TV ad for GOP gubernatorial campaign". AL.com. February 16, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  4. ^ Griffey, Jan (April 19, 2009). "Erwin launches campaign for Lt. Gov". Shelby County Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  5. ^ Brantley, Mike (September 8, 2009). "Gene Ponder, candidate for Alabama lieutenant governor, rebukes federal government". AL.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Certified General Election Results - without write-in appendix" (PDF). sos.alabama.gov. November 22, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  7. ^ White, David (April 1, 2009). "Folsom won't run for governor in '10". Al.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  8. ^ Wolfson, Hannah (November 3, 2010). "Beth Chapman wins second term as Alabama secretary of state". AL.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  9. ^ Gray, Jeremy (April 6, 2009). "Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman seeking re-election". AL.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  10. ^ "Secretary of State: Beth Chapman, Scott Gilliland on the office and elections". AL.com. October 25, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  11. ^ Altman, George (June 2, 2010). "Strange declares victory over King in Republican primary for attorney general". AL.com. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  12. ^ Beyerle, Dana (May 12, 2009). "Bentley, Strange to announce their office plans". Gadsden Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  13. ^ "Troy King says he'll seek re-election as Alabama's attorney general". AL.com. March 13, 2009. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Election Results – Democratic Primary". sos.alabama.gov. June 11, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  15. ^ "James Anderson Joins Alabama Attorney General Race". WTVY. January 17, 2010. Archived from the original on August 18, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  16. ^ "Birmingham attorney Giles Perkins says he's running for state attorney general". AL.com. October 22, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  17. ^ "Nicrosi enters Ala. AG race". WSFA. November 20, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  18. ^ "Certified Election Results – Democratic Primary Runoff" (PDF). sos.alabama.gov. July 23, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  19. ^ Shryock, John (April 23, 2010). "Ala. Treasurer candidate Boozer featured on Tonight Show". WSFA. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  20. ^ Reports, Staff (August 26, 2009). "George Wallace Jr. eyes race for Ala. treasurer". The Victoria Advocate. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  21. ^ "Charley Grimsley running for state treasurer; former conservation commissioner won battle over hotel at Gulf State Park". AL.com. September 30, 2009. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  22. ^ Hendricks, Mario (July 6, 2009). "Jeremy Sherer announces candidacy for treasurer". WSFA. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  23. ^ Wolfson, Hannah (November 3, 2010). "Alabama State Auditor Samantha Shaw holds her seat". AL.com. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  24. ^ a b "State auditor: Miranda Joseph, Samantha Shaw on reducing inefficiency". AL.com. October 25, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  25. ^ "McMillan running for Agriculture Commissioner". WSFA. June 24, 2009. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  26. ^ Cumbow, Victoria (March 10, 2010). "Third-generation farmer Dorman Grace running for Ag Commissioner". AL.com. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  27. ^ Good, Chris (May 17, 2010). "Greatest Campaign Ad Ever?". The Atlantic. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  28. ^ a b "Certified Election Results – Republican Primary Runoff" (PDF). sos.alabama.gov. July 14, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  29. ^ "Agriculture commissioner: John McMillan, Glen Zorn on food, farms and drought". AL.com. October 25, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  30. ^ Amy, Jeff (November 3, 2010). "Public Service Commission: Twinkle Cavanaugh, Terry Dunn join GOP sweep". AL.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  31. ^ a b c "Twinkle Cavanaugh running for Alabama PSC again". AL.com. April 2, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  32. ^ "PSC Place 1: Twinkle Cavanaugh, Jan Cook on utility rates, 10-digit dialing". AL.com. October 25, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  33. ^ a b Powell, Andy (June 3, 2019). "Hard campaigning pays off for Southside's Dunn". The Gadsden Times. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  34. ^ Murphree, Deb (February 24, 2009). "SUSAN PARKER TO RUN FOR STATE PSC AGAIN (Jan Cook too)". Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  35. ^ "Alabama judicial elections, 2010". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  36. ^ Chapman, Beth (January 8, 2011). "Supreme Court Justice Smith to retire". Shelby County Reporter. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  37. ^ Keaton, Holli (November 13, 2009). "Supreme Court candidate Wise seeks local votes". The Troy Messenger. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  38. ^ Shryock, John (May 19, 2010). "Rhonda Chambers throws name into Supreme Court run". WSFA. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  39. ^ "Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin starts re-election bid". AL.com. December 7, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  40. ^ Elofson, Matt (April 23, 2010). "Tracy Cary announces run for supreme court justice". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  41. ^ Allen, Beasley (May 4, 2010). "Tom Edwards Challenges Incumbent". Jere Beasley Report. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  42. ^ Kirby, Brendan (October 24, 2010). "Alabama Supreme Court: Tom Parker takes unorthodox fund-raising approach". AL.com. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  43. ^ "Special Supreme Court of retired judges to rule whether to count Justice Tom Parker's opponent's votes". AL.com. May 27, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  44. ^ Kirby, Brendan (May 28, 2010). "Supreme Court candidates clash over incumbent's productivity". AL.com. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  45. ^ "Alabama Supreme Court candidate calls opponent Tom Parker 'lazy'". AL.com. August 25, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  46. ^ a b Sayre, Katherine (October 24, 2010). "Bryan, Paseur state their cases for Civil Appeals judge race". AL.com. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  47. ^ "Alabama 2010 ballot measures". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  48. ^ "Alabama Propane Gas Promotion Programs Amendment (June 2010)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  49. ^ "Certification of Results – Proposed Constitutional Amendments" (PDF). sos.alabama.gov. June 23, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  50. ^ "Alabama Ad Valorem Tax Amendment, Amendment 1 (2010)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  51. ^ "Alabama Special County Educational Tax Amendment, Amendment 2 (2010)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  52. ^ "Alabama Ten Year Road and Bridge Construction Program, Amendment 3 (2010)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  53. ^ "Alabama City/County Tax Amendment, Amendment 4 (2010)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
[edit]

Finance

Media