Alabama gubernatorial election, 1986

The 1986 Alabama gubernatorial election saw the election of Republican H. Guy Hunt over Bill Baxley. In state politics, this election is largely seen as a realigning election since Hunt was the first Republican to be elected Governor since Reconstruction.

In March of 1986, incumbent George Wallace announced that he would not seek a fifth term as governor, ending an era in Alabama politics. Many people anticipated that the winner of the Democratic primary would win the election. Though Alabama had supported Republicans in national elections, state and local elections were dominated by Democrats.

Democratic primary controversy

The Democratic Primary in this election brought out a number of candidates. It resulted in a runoff between Lieutenant Governor Bill Baxley and Attorney General Charles Graddick. Graddick, the more conservative candidate, won the runoff election. However, Baxley challenged the results, claiming that Graddick violated Democratic Party rules by encouraging people who voted in the Republican primary to cross over and vote in the Democratic runoff election. This challenge went to the Alabama Supreme Court who ruled that the Democratic Party either had to select Baxley as the nominee or hold another runoff election. The party opted to name Baxley as the nominee.

General Election and Aftermath

Due to the selection of Baxley, many voters in Alabama were frustrated that their voice was not heard. As a result, they supported Guy Hunt in the general election, who won with 56 percent of the vote.

This election marked the transformation of politics in Alabama from a state dominated by many perspectives in one party to a two-party state.

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