| Election name | 2018 Alabama elections |
|---|---|
| Country | Alabama |
| Ongoing | no |
| Previous election | 2016 Alabama elections |
| Previous year | 2016 |
| Next election | 2020 Alabama elections |
| Next year | 2020 |
A general election was held in the U.S. state of Alabama on November 6, 2018. All Alabama executive officers were up for election along with all of Alabama's seven seats in the United States House of Representatives. Primary elections took place on June 5, 2018 for both major parties.[1]
Governor
Incumbent Republican governor Kay Ivey, who assumed the office upon the resignation of Robert J. Bentley in April 2017, ran for a full term against Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and independent write-in Chad Chig Martin. Ivey won with 59% of the vote.[2]
Lieutenant governor
The office of lieutenant governor was vacant prior to the election.
State House Representative Will Ainsworth, State Senator Rusty Glover, and Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh[3] were running for the Republican nomination.[4][5][6][7] Pastor Will Boyd from Florence ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.[8]
Ainsworth won the general election with 61% of the votes.[9]
Attorney general
Incumbent Republican attorney general Steve Marshall was appointed to the office by Governor Robert J. Bentley in February 2017. He ran for a full term against Joseph Siegelman, the son of former governor Don Siegelman. Marshall won with 58.8% of the vote.[10]
Secretary of state
| Election name | 2018 Alabama Secretary of State election |
|---|---|
| Election date | November 6, 2018 |
| Ongoing | no |
| Country | Alabama |
| Previous election | 2014 Alabama elections#Secretary of State |
| Previous year | 2014 |
| Next election | 2022 Alabama Secretary of State election |
| Next year | 2022 |
| Nominee 1 | John Merrill |
| Party 1 | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular vote 1 | 1,032,425 |
| Percentage 1 | 61.02% |
| Nominee 2 | Heather Milam |
| Party 2 | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular vote 2 | 658,537 |
| Percentage 2 | 38.92% |
| Before election | John Merrill |
| Before party | Republican Party (United States) |
| After election | John Merrill |
| After party | Republican Party (United States) |
Incumbent Republican secretary of state John Merrill ran for re-election to a second term.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Lula Albert, retired sergeant major.[11]
- Heather Milam, professor at the University of Montevallo.[11]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Michael Johnson, Marshall County revenue commissioner.[11]
- John Merrill, incumbent.[11]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Magazine[12] | October 11, 2018 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | John Merrill (R) | Heather Milam (D) | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cygnal (R)[13] | July 24–25, 2018 | 1,027 | ± 3.1% | 57% | 38% | 5% |
State auditor
| Election name | 2018 Alabama State Auditor election |
|---|---|
| Election date | November 6, 2018 |
| Ongoing | no |
| Country | Alabama |
| Previous election | 2014 Alabama elections#State Auditor |
| Previous year | 2014 |
| Next election | 2022 Alabama State Auditor election |
| Next year | 2022 |
| Nominee 1 | Jim Zeigler |
| Party 1 | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular vote 1 | 1,018,466 |
| Percentage 1 | 60.43% |
| Nominee 2 | Miranda Joseph |
| Party 2 | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular vote 2 | 665,679 |
| Percentage 2 | 39.49% |
| Before election | Jim Zeigler |
| Before party | Republican Party (United States) |
| After election | Jim Zeigler |
| After party | Republican Party (United States) |
Incumbent Republican state auditor Jim Zeigler ran for re-election to a second term.
Democratic nominee
- Miranda Joseph, private auditor.[14]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Stan Cooke, pastor and small business owner.[14]
- Elliott Lipinsky, Wilcox County assistant district attorney.[14]
- Jim Zeigler, incumbent.[14]
State treasurer
| Election name | 2018 Alabama State Treasurer election |
|---|---|
| Election date | November 6, 2018 |
| Ongoing | no |
| Country | Alabama |
| Previous election | 2014 Alabama elections#State Treasurer |
| Previous year | 2014 |
| Next election | 2022 Alabama State Treasurer election |
| Next year | 2022 |
| Nominee 1 | John McMillan |
| Party 1 | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular vote 1 | 1,085,054 |
| Percentage 1 | 97.14% |
| Before election | Young Boozer |
| Before party | Republican Party (United States) |
| After election | John McMillan |
| After party | Republican Party (United States) |
Incumbent Republican state treasurer Young Boozer was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third consecutive term. No Democratic candidates filed to run for this office.
Republican primary
Candidates
- David Black, professor at the University of North Alabama.[15]
- Stephen Evans, investment adviser.[15]
- John McMillan, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.[15]
Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries
| Election name | 2018 Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries election |
|---|---|
| Election date | November 6, 2018 |
| Ongoing | no |
| Country | Alabama |
| Previous election | 2014 Alabama elections#Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries |
| Previous year | 2014 |
| Next election | 2022 Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries election |
| Next year | 2022 |
| Nominee 1 | Rick Pate |
| Party 1 | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular vote 1 | 1,081,431 |
| Percentage 1 | 97.19% |
| Before election | John McMillan |
| Before party | Republican Party (United States) |
| After election | Rick Pate |
| After party | Republican Party (United States) |
Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third consecutive term. No Democratic candidates filed to run for this office.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Tracy "T.O." Crane, food security company owner and former FBI field intelligence supervisor.[16][17]
- Gerald Dial, state senator.[17]
- Cecil Murphy, farmer and retired teacher.[17]
- Rick Pate, farmer and mayor of Lowndesboro.[17]
State Supreme Court
Five seats on the Supreme Court of Alabama were up for election, of which three were contested.[18]
Chief Justice
| Election name | 2018 Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice election |
|---|---|
| Election date | November 6, 2018 |
| Ongoing | no |
| Country | Alabama |
| Previous election | 2012 Alabama elections#State Supreme Court, Chief Justice |
| Previous year | 2012 |
| Next election | 2024 Alabama Supreme Court election#Chief Justice |
| Next year | 2024 |
| Nominee 1 | Tom Parker |
| Party 1 | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular vote 1 | 975,564 |
| Percentage 1 | 57.39% |
| Nominee 2 | Bob Vance |
| Party 2 | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular vote 2 | 723,149 |
| Percentage 2 | 42.55% |
| Before election | Lyn Stuart |
| Before party | Republican Party (United States) |
| After election | Tom Parker |
| After party | Republican Party (United States) |
Incumbent Republican Chief Justice Lyn Stuart was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in 2017 to serve the remaining term of Roy Moore who was suspended.[19] Stuart ran for a full term and was challenged by Republican Associate Justice Tom Parker and Democratic Jefferson County circuit court judge Bob Vance.[20]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Lyn Stuart, incumbent Chief Justice.[20]
- Tom Parker, Associate Justice.[20]
Democratic nominee
- Bob Vance, Jefferson County circuit court judge and Democratic nominee in 2012.[20]
Associate Justice, Place 1
Incumbent Republican Justice Brad Mendheim was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in January 2018 to replace Glenn Murdock who resigned.[21] Mendheim ran for a full term but was defeated in the primaries by Mobile County circuit court judge Sarah Hicks Stewart.[22]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Brad Mendheim, incumbent Associate Justice.[23]
- Sarah Hicks Stewart, circuit judge.[24]
- Debra H. Jones, circuit judge.[25]
Associate Justice, Place 4
Incumbent Republican Justice James Allen Main was ineligible for re-election due to age limits imposed by the state constitution.[26]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jay Mitchell, attorney.[27]
- John Bahakel, attorney.[26]
Democratic nominee
- Donna Smalley, lawyer.[28]
State Appellate Courts
Three seats each on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals and Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals were up for election, of which five were contested.[29]
Court of Civil Appeals, Place 1
Incumbent Republican judge Craig Sorrell Pittman did not file for re-election.[30]
Republican primary
Court of Civil Appeals, Place 2
Incumbent Republican judge Terri Willingham Thomas ran for re-election but lost in the primary to Chad Hanson.[32]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Terri Willingham Thomas, incumbent judge.[31]
- Chad Hanson, attorney.[31]
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1
Incumbent Republican judge Samuel H. Welch did not file for re-election.
Republican primary
Candidates
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2
Incumbent Republican judge Liles C. Burke resigned to serve as a district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.[33]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Chris McCool, district attorney.[31]
- Rich Anderson, prosecutor.[31]
- Dennis O'Dell, judge.[31]
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3
Incumbent Republican judge Michael Joiner did not file for re-election.
Republican primary
Candidates
Public Service Commission
The two associate commissioner seats on the Alabama Public Service Commission were up for election. Incumbent Republican commissioners Jeremy Oden, who was appointed to the commission by Governor Bentley in December 2012, and Chris "Chip" Beeker, who was first elected in 2014, were both eligible to run for re-election.
Place 1
Democratic nominee
- Cara McClure, entrepreneur.[34]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jim Bonner, former community college teacher.[35]
- Jeremy Oden, incumbent.[36]
Controversy
In the weeks leading up to the primary, the state GOP unanimously decided to censure Jim Bonner as various offensive comments he made on social media were uncovered.[37] Terry Lathan, Chairman of Alabama GOP, announced the following day the party had voted not to certify ballots cast for him in the upcoming primary.[38] Jo Bonner, former U.S. Representative from the first congressional district, publicly denied any relation to him and expressed resentment over his views.[39]
Incumbent Oden narrowly defeated Bonner in the primary election; the margin of victory was wide enough to avoid an automatic recount.[40] Bonner tried to raise funds for a recount but was unsuccessful.[41] The state GOP also upheld their decision to keep his votes uncertified.[42]
Place 2
Democratic nominee
- Kari Powell, small business owner.[34]
Republican primary
Candidates
- Chip Beeker, incumbent.[43]
- Robin Litaker, retired elementary school principal.[44]
Alabama State Legislature
Every member of the Alabama state legislature was up for election in 2018. Both state senators and state representatives serve four-year terms in Alabama. After the 2014 elections, Republicans maintained control of both chambers. In 2018, all 35 Alabama Senate seats and all 105 Alabama House of Representatives seats were up for election. These seats would not be contested in a regularly scheduled election again until 2022.
The outcome of this election could affect partisan balance during post-2020 census redistricting.[45]
Senate
Republicans won 27 seats, while Democrats won eight. The Republican Party gained one seat, the 29th, which was held by an retiring independent who caucused with the Republicans.
House of Representatives
Republicans won 77 seats, while Democrats won 28. The Republican Party gained five seats.
United States House of Representatives
All of Alabama's seven seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2018. Six Republicans and one Democrat were re-elected. No districts changed partisan control.
Ballot measures
Four statewide measures were on the ballot in Alabama, all of which were approved by the voters.[46]
Amendment 1
The Ten Commandments Amendment would allow display of the Ten Commandments on state property.[47]
Amendment 2
The State Abortion Policy Amendment would amend the Constitution of Alabama to "support the sanctity of unborn life" and reject the notion that abortion is a right.[48]
Amendment 3
The Board of Trustees Membership for University of Alabama Amendment would make certain changes to the membership of the board of trustees of the University of Alabama.[49]
Amendment 4
The Legislative Vacancies Amendment would change the legislative vacancy procedure to allow seats to remain vacant if the remaining term is no more than a certain length.[50]
References
- ^ "Administrative Calendar: 2018 Statewide Election". Alabama Secretary of State.
- ^ alabama.gov
- ^ Cason, Mike (August 17, 2017). "Twinkle Cavanaugh switches to lieutenant governor's race". AL.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
- ^ Cason, Mike (February 22, 2017). "Sen. Rusty Glover to run for lieutenant governor of Alabama". AL.com. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
- ^ Sims, Cliff (October 29, 2015). "These are the politicians eyeing a run for Alabama's highest offices in 2018". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ^ Cason, Mike (May 31, 2017). "Mary Scott Hunter to run for lieutenant governor of Alabama". AL.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ "Will Ainsworth For Lt. Governor". Will Ainsworth For Lt. Governor
- ^ "Blog - Alabama Democrats". Archived from the original on 2018-01-17. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
- ^ Garrison, Greg (2018-11-07). "Alabama Lt. Gov. race: Ainsworth wins". AL.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
- ^ Roop, Lee (2018-11-07). "Steve Marshall wins full term as Alabama attorney general". AL.com. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
- ^ Yawn, Andrew J. (2018-05-30). "Voting access, options, the priority for secretary of state challengers". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
- ^ Jacobson, Louis (October 11, 2018). "Democrats Maintain the Edge in Secretary of State Races". Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ^ Cygnal (R)
- ^ Edwards, Brian (2018-05-31). "State auditor: Zeigler celebrates achievements while challengers look to shift office's focus". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
- ^ Harper, Brad (2018-05-29). "Alabama treasurer: Three vie to replace state's top banker". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ "Ag Commissioner: Pate, Dial headed to runoff". Alabama Daily News. 2018-06-06. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
- ^ Harper, Brad (2018-05-30). "Ag commissioner: Four hope to lead farming, food safety". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ "Alabama Supreme Court elections, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
- ^ Turner, Alyssa (2017-04-26). "Governor Ivey Appoints Lyn Stuart as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court". governor.alabama.gov. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
- ^ Brown, Melissa (2018-05-30). "Supreme Court colleagues vie for chief justice job". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
- ^ Moseley, Brandon (2018-01-21). "Ivey appoints Brad Mendheim to Supreme Court". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Wise, Jeremy (2018-07-17). "Dothan's Brad Mendheim concedes to opponent Sarah Hicks Stewart in runoff for Alabama Supreme Court Justice". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Moseley, Brandon (2018-02-08). "Mendheim qualifies for Alabama Supreme Court race". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Huff, Larry (2017-09-28). "Judge Sarah Stewart Announces Candidacy for Alabama Supreme Court". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ "Judge Debra Jones running for Alabama Supreme Court, Place 1". Yellowhammer News. 2018-01-24. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Flowers, Steve (25 April 2018). "Election to include state Supreme Court races". Daily Mountain Eagle. Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ Cason, Mike (2017-06-05). "Birmingham attorney Jay Mitchell running for Alabama Supreme Court". AL.com. Retrieved 2025-08-30.
- ^ Spencer Veazey, Mary; Phillips, Alice; Trujillo, Brooke (27 October 2018). "Supreme Court hopeful Donna Smalley: We need a more balanced view". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ "Alabama intermediate appellate court elections, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "Pat Thetford to run for place on Alabama Court of Civil Appeals". Yellowhammer News. 2018-01-21. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
- ^ Brown, Melissa (2018-06-01). "Primary primer: Alabama courts of Civil and Criminal Appeals". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "Waterville High graduate elected judge to Alabama Court of Civil Appeals". Kennebec Journal. 2018-08-24. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "Burke named U.S. Judge". The Sand Mountain Reporter. 2018-10-12. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ Brownlee, Chip (2018-05-16). "Democratic Public Service Commission candidates launch campaigns in Birmingham". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Reeves, Jay (2018-05-31). "Alabama GOP censures candidate over 'egregious' comments". WSFA. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Buckner, Katie Beth (2018-10-22). "Jeremy Oden brings multiple levels of experience to Public Service commission office". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Vollers, Anna Claire (2018-05-30). "Anti-Semitic, offensive comments get candidate blackballed by Alabama GOP". AL.com. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Pillion, Dennis (2018-06-01). "Alabama GOP won't certify votes cast for Jim Bonner in PSC primary". AL.com. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Sharp, John (2018-06-01). "Former Congressman Jo Bonner over Jim Bonner confusion: I'm not running for office". AL.com. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Pillion, Dennis (2018-06-06). "PSC candidate who shared Hitler Valentine gets nearly half the vote". AL.com. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Gattis, Paul (2018-06-09). "Disowned GOP candidate Jim Bonner seeks money for possible recount". AL.com. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Cason, Mike (2018-08-29). "Jim Bonner loses appeal with state GOP, starts Senate write-in campaign". AL.com. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Buckner, Katie Beth & Stein, Reid-Claire (2018-10-23). "PSC Seat 2 incumbent Beeker: 'My top priority is to keep people safe'". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Pillion, Dennis (2018-06-03). "Former state teacher of the year challenging Chip Beeker for Public Service Commission". AL.com. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
- ^ Wendy Underhill & Ben Williams (December 4, 2019), "Election Dates for Legislators and Governors Who Will Do Redistricting", Ncsl.org, Washington, D.C.: National Conference of State Legislatures
- ^ "Alabama 2018 ballot measures". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
- ^ "Alabama Amendment 1, Ten Commandments Amendment (2018)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ "Alabama Amendment 2, State Abortion Policy Amendment (2018)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ "Alabama Amendment 3, Board of Trustees Membership for University of Alabama Amendment (2018)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
- ^ "Alabama Amendment 4, Legislative Vacancies Amendment (2018)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
External links
Official lieutenant gubernatorial campaign websites
Official attorney general campaign websites
Official Secretary of State campaign websites
Official State Auditor campaign websites
Official place 1 public service commission websites
Official place 2 public service commission websites