Alabama gubernatorial election, 1986
Encyclopedia
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 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.
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 never went to the Alabama Supreme Court
who never 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.
This election marked the transformation of politics in Alabama from a state dominated by many perspectives in one party to a two-party state.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
H. Guy Hunt over Bill Baxley
Bill Baxley
William Joseph Baxley II is an American Democratic politician and attorney.He was born in Dothan, Alabama and attended law school at the University of Alabama, graduating in 1964. He served two terms as Attorney General of Alabama, from 1971–1979; at the age of 27, he was the youngest to hold that...
. In state politics, this election is largely seen as a realigning election
Realigning election
Realigning election are terms from political science and political history describing a dramatic change in the political system. Scholars frequently apply the term to American elections and occasionally to other countries...
since Hunt was the first Republican to be elected Governor since Reconstruction.
In March 1986, incumbent George Wallace
George Wallace
George Corley Wallace, Jr. was the 45th Governor of Alabama, serving four terms: 1963–1967, 1971–1979 and 1983–1987. "The most influential loser" in 20th-century U.S. politics, according to biographers Dan T. Carter and Stephan Lesher, he ran for U.S...
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 DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Primary in this election brought out a number of candidates. It resulted in a runoff between Lieutenant Governor Bill Baxley
Bill Baxley
William Joseph Baxley II is an American Democratic politician and attorney.He was born in Dothan, Alabama and attended law school at the University of Alabama, graduating in 1964. He served two terms as Attorney General of Alabama, from 1971–1979; at the age of 27, he was the youngest to hold that...
and Attorney General Charles Graddick
Charles Graddick
Charles Allen Graddick is Circuit Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit of Alabama, United States.Graddick attended the all-male University Military School, the forerunner of UMS-Wright Preparatory School, graduating in 1963...
. 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 never went to the Alabama Supreme Court
Alabama Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Alabama is the highest court in the state of Alabama. The court consists of an elected Chief Justice and eight elected Associate Justices. Each justice is elected in partisan elections for staggered six year terms. The Governor of Alabama may fill vacancies when they occur...
who never 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.