Bob Riley Wins Alabama Republican Gubernatorial Primary

AP ^ | June 4, 2002 | Robert Tanner

[yellowhammer]

In Alabama, with 32 percent of precincts reporting, Siegelman had 99,101 votes, or 72 percent, to Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bishop's 29,848, or 22 percent. Riley had 52,997 votes, or 76 percent, to 10,814 or 16 percent for Lt. Gov. Steve Windom. Tim James, son of former Gov. Fob James, trailed.

[yellowhammer]

A big win for Riley. Looks like "no-bid" Don is toast come November.

[jra]

Lotto Don is the incumbent and he let Bishop get >20% in the primary when he should have been unopposed???

Go ahead and name Riley governor, for pete's sake...

Leland...you out there???

[gov_bean_ counter]

If Riley thought Windom played dirty, he ain't seen nothing yet.

[yellowhammer]

I remember when Siegelman ran against against McCorquodale for Attorney General a few years back. Don ran the nastiest campaign I believe Alabama has ever had. If Don gets behind in the polls expect the same in this race.

[mikesmad]

What was the turnout like in your area? This was the lowest turnout I have ever seen in my polling place. This polling place leans Republican but most, of the few that were there when I voted, had ballots for Democrats. I am not sure what that means for November.

I totally miscalled this one. I would have bet my right arm that Riley and Windom would have been in a runoff and Riley took it away.

[yellowhammer]

Turnout was VERY low. I had to wait in a line for 2000 elections. But this year there was no waiting.

[Hillary's Folly]

"and Riley took it away."

Actually, I think Windom gave it away, if it was ever his to lose, which I doubt.

[6ppc]

My wife said we had 401 voters at our polling place which was pretty low (not sure how many are registered). Last night with partial results in I was concerned that the (dis)Honorable Gov. Singleterm (sp) had more votes than the entire pub turnout, but I just looked at the final results and was encouraged by the fact that around 125,000 more people voted against him (counting the pubs) than for him. Hope that holds up in November.

[mikesmad]

I know is was "just" a primary, but after the 2000 election and September 11th I would have thought there would have been a large turnout.

[mikesmad]

I should have judged this by the number of direct mailings that I received. I had something in my mailbox almost daily from Riley and seldom from Windom or James. This should have tipped me off that Riley either had more money or was working harder for it than the other two.

[mikesmad]

I was hoping that the Republicans would have gotten millions of more votes than the Democrats. I wanted Donny boy sweating bullets until election day.

My next dream is that he is arrested before the election and thrown in jail.

I've got to stop living in political fantasy land. :)

[blam]

"A big win for Riley. Looks like "no-bid" Don is toast come November."

Yup. I voted for Windom (He's from my little hometown of Theodore). But, Riley is acceptable. I agree Seigleman is toast!!

[Redbob]

What I'd be worrying about is what "Motor Voter" has done to the election rolls.

[Hillary's Folly]

Well, Riley is the establishment (GW's) choice, no doubt. But when I say Windom gave it away, I mean he comes off as a bit of a...say...asshole, who is more concerned with getting himself elected than getting Siegelman out and improving Alabama politics, which by any standard is crappy.

[WVNan]

Hey all you Ala. folk. I've been away from home so many years I've lost track of the politics. we (hubby and I) were involved in Bill Baxley's run for gov. back in 78. Yikes! It seems like a million years ago. He was Attorney General at the time and was running against Fob James. I find it funny that Fob's son is now into politics. I guess they have the money to do whatever they want. Back then the Demo party was not a criminal operation. My husband's band, Lower Forty, played throughout the summer of 78 for Baxley's campaign. It was quite an experience and I kept a running journal of our participation. My husband, myself and our son are Alabama Colonels. Our son is the youngest one in history, and he was appointed by George Wallace. I really miss Ala. I grew up in Huntsville. In 78 we were living in Montgomery.

[navydad]

Back then the Demo party was not a criminal operation.

What a hoot! Thanks, I needed a good laugh tonight.

Livin' where you grew up...

[WVNan]

Well, say hidy to all the folks. I know for sure that town is nothing like it was way back when.