Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Elections

Whatley concedes to Hovey 

Whatley, who’s held the seat for the past 12 years, said he plans to spend time with his family and focus on his law practice and other business interests. 

Alabama Senate candidate Jay Hovey, left, and incumbent Sen. Tom Whatley, right.

Tom Whatley has bowed out of the Alabama Senate District 27 race, leaving Jay Hovey as the winner and putting an end to one of the most controversial legislative races in recent state history. 

Whatley announced his decision in a text message statement that went out to supporters and media Friday morning, saying that he felt it was “in the best interest of his friends, colleagues, family and the Republican Party, for me to step away from this tied race so that we can move forward and have success in November.” 
Hovey will be a heavy favorite to win the seat outright following the general election in November. 
The Alabama Republican Party was set to hold yet another hearing on the outcome of the District 27 primary election on Friday morning. Hovey won that primary by a single vote, but the party’s candidate committee later declared it a tie, choosing to count the disqualified vote of a Tallapoosa woman. New information about the process that led to the disqualification had led the committee to reconsider the decision. 
But Whatley, who’s held the seat for the past 12 years, beat them to the decision. Whatley said he plans to spend time with his family and focus on his law practice and other business interests. 

Josh Moon is an investigative reporter and featured columnist at the Alabama Political Reporter with years of political reporting experience in Alabama. You can email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter.

More from the Alabama Political Reporter

Party politics

Over 1,700 people gathered for the event at the Finley Center on Thursday.

Party politics

The Alabama Republican Party on Saturday approved a resolution supporting the end of DEI policies in public institutions.

Party politics

Gregg Phillips — an election fraud conspiracy theorist who helped produce the debunked film "2000 Mules" — ran for party vice chairman.

Party politics

Chairman John Wahl secured a second term as leader of the Alabama Republican Party on Saturday.

Party politics

The March 9 dinner has been moved from the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel to the nearby Finley Center.

Party politics

Wahl will lead the Southern Region of the RNC as part of his duties.

State

Smith will be the third president and CEO of API, stepping in for Caleb Crosby.

Legislature

Paschal said he believes his 21 years of Army service will bring a needed perspective to the committee.