HD 12 Primary Results
James Fields wins the Democratic nomination with 63% of the vote. Republicans Bill Floyd and Wayne Willingham will face-off in a run-off December 18.
Democrats
James Fields — 1375 (62.87%)
Shelia Kretzschmar — 605 (27.66%)
Ed Flaig — 207 (9.47%)
Republicans
Bill Floyd — 661 (29.47%)
Wayne Willingham — 655 (29.20%)
Stephen Parker — 491 (21.89%)
Greg Johnson — 436 (19.44%)
James Fields will face the Republican run-off winner on January 29.
Update: The Cullman Times’ story is here.
interesting that the total # of repub votes was not significantly higher than that of the dems in a county as repub as cullman, special election or not.
Comment by not important — November 13, 2007 @ 9:57 pm
Guess Zeb Little’s endorsement of Kretzschmar didn’t help. What’s this say about his often talked about plans to run for higher office?
Comment by Anonymous — November 13, 2007 @ 10:26 pm
Probably meant about as much as Governor Riley’s in the the Baldwin co. Senate race
Comment by also anonymous — November 13, 2007 @ 10:33 pm
Exactly. All it means is that Zeb Little won’t be endorsing anyone in a Democratic primary again for a very long time.
Comment by SamfordDem — November 14, 2007 @ 9:34 am
And Zeb needs to listen to the people in Cullman and get on board with Fields and do what he can to help Fields win the general. Fields surprised alot of people, but it’s time to get on the bandwagon.
Comment by WinningTeam — November 14, 2007 @ 9:46 am
What the voter turnout does mean is that Democrats have a very good shot at keeping this seat, even with so-called “inelectable” James Fields. All four Republicans had different geographic bases. Parker’s family is from Hanceville, Johnson is from Valley Grove, Willingham is from West Point, and Floyd from Cullman. Parker, I believe, currently lives in the city and I’m fairly certain he ran in second place behind Floyd in the city boxes. That meant that there should have been high turnout throughout the district on the Republican side. However, all three Democrats were from the Hanceville area, thereby splitting their geographic base. Their turnout outside Hanceville should have been much lower but that was not the case. No way should their turnout have approached that of the Republicans, but that was what happened. The Democratic base in Cullman is, I believe, stronger than many in Montgomery expected. This will be one of the more interesting state legislative races of the past few years.
Comment by SamfordDem — November 14, 2007 @ 9:46 am
WinningTeam, I think Fields may be better off running away from the Montgomery crowd. This county likes their reps to be indepedent minded, Neal Morrison and Jeremy Oden both have frustrated their state party at times, and each time that has only strengthened their reputation in Cullman.
Comment by SamfordDem — November 14, 2007 @ 10:06 am
Good point SamfordDem, Fields will need some money though and Zeb can help on that front. Fields is definitely his own man though.
Comment by WinningTeam — November 14, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Oden is a twit and Morrison probably prefers that he not be included in the same sentence with him. Is Oden’s district really that bereft of leadership, intellect and talent?
Comment by Scorpius — November 14, 2007 @ 10:47 pm
I wouldn’t go so far as to label Oden a twit, but I definitely disagree with him on many issues. Obviously, I much prefer Neal Morrison. However, the perception of him as an independent thinker is what pulled him through to re-election last time.
Comment by SamfordDem — November 15, 2007 @ 9:53 am
[…] The X-factor in the election may be Democrats. I am told that Floyd is the Democrats’ preferred opponent, and the unknown consideration is how many Democrats will cross over to vote in the Republican primary. Would, say, 100 Democrats voting in the primary be enough to swing it to Floyd? Would they be motivated to turn out? Turnout for the run-off will certainly be less than the 2243 voters who voted in last month’s Republican primary. […]
Pingback by HD 12: One Week Out » Doc’s Political Parlor — December 12, 2007 @ 7:19 am
[…] Though we had heard reports suggesting turnout was quite low, 1,942 voters in the runoff easily exceeded what some in the area were suggesting earlier. That was only 301 votes fewer than the 2,243 that voted in the GOP primary on Nov. 13. […]
Pingback by Willingham Wins HD 12 GOP Nomination » Doc’s Political Parlor — December 18, 2007 @ 9:19 pm