Democrats in Alabama chose their nominee for lieutenant governor Tuesday but Republicans will have to return to the polls one more time to settle a tight race between the top two contenders.
Phillip Ensler held off Darryl Perryman in the Democratic race, taking home 57.7 percent of the vote to secure the Democratic nomination. Ensler has served the past four years as a State Representative for Montgomery.
Enter told supporters he is ready to get to work to defeat whichever Republican nominee he faces in the general election.
“It will be an uphill battle, but I know Alabamians are ready for change. We are tired of ranking among the worst in education, healthcare, and gun violence, all while being unable to afford basic necessities,” Ensler said. “Everywhere I go, I hear from residents who want reasonable, serious leaders. Alabamians are sick of politicians and powerful interest groups who would rather keep us divided than offer solutions that improve people’s lives.
“Together, we can build a broad coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and independents to improve affordability, keep hospitals open, strengthen public schools, and make communities safer.”
Ensler received the most votes of any candidate for lieutenant governor Tuesday night with 196,000 votes—of course, assisted by the smaller field in the Democratic primary.
Former ALGOP Chair John Wahl came in just behind with 192,000 votes, enough to be the top vote-earner in the GOP primary with 41 percent of the vote. Secretary of State Wes Allen will be the other candidate in the runoff after nipping at Wahl’s heels with 180,000 votes: 38 percent of the total.
Wahl entered the race at the last possible minute after receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Wahl emphasized Tuesday his momentum after polling showed him trailing Allen.
“Tonight, the people of Alabama sent a clear message: they are tired of career politicians, political games, and empty promises,” Wahl said. “They want a Lieutenant Governor who will stand up, fight for our conservative values, and never back down. I am humbled by the trust voters across this state have placed in me. As Lieutenant Governor, I will never stop fighting for the people of Alabama and the values we believe in.”
The rest of the field siphoned off enough votes to force the runoff, but no candidate got close to the top two candidates. Rick Pate, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, finished third with about 7 percent of the vote and no other candidate received more than 5 percent.
