The voters have spoken and with a few exceptions incumbents enjoyed comfortable victories in Tuesday's primary elections across Alabama.
In the Governor's race, Republican Robert Bentley easily outpolled two challengers to win the GOP nomination. Bentley garnered 98 percent of the vote to defeat Stacy George and Bob Starkey. Bentley faces Democrat Parker Griffith of Huntsville who pulled in 89 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary.
In the Lt. Governor's race, incumbent Kay Ivey is halfway toward her goal of winning a second term, Ivey won the GOP nomination by defeating Stan Cooke. Ivey meets Democratic nominee, former state Representative James Field in November.
In the race for Secretary of State, former Montgomery County Probate Judge Reese McKinney and state Representative John Merrill of Tuscaloosa will meet in a runoff on July 15th.
Congressional Races
There were no upsets in two area Congressional races on Tuesday. Terri Sewell won the Democratic nomination for a third term to Congress as the representative for Alabama's 7th district. Sewell defeated Birmingham attorney Tamara Harris Johnson in the primary election Tuesday. Sewell has no Republican opposition in November.
Republican Mike Rogers won the Republican primary in the U.S. House District 3 race. The Anniston congressman easily defeated challenger Thomas Casson of Auburn on Tuesday. Rogers will face Democrat Jesse Smith in November.
Close Races
Two closely watched races in Montgomery County were decided Tuesday, veteran educator Dr. Lesa Keith outpolled incumbent Heather Sellers to win the District 1 seat on the Montgomery County Board of Education. Dr. Keith garnered 1, 777 votes while Sellers received 1, 272 votes.
Incumbent Robert Porterfield retained his seat on the Montgomery County School Board. Porterfield easily defeated challenger Timothy Bass.
In the House District 76 race, long time state Representative Thad McClammy beat back a challenge from Montgomery City Councilman from Tracy Larkin. With 100 percent of the votes counted, McClammy pulled in 1,963 votes to Larkin's 1,381.
Movie Extras
Extras are being sought for the filming of the movie "Selma." The Alabama Film Office says the production company for the movie about Martin Luther King Jr. is seeking 500 extras for filming. The extra must be between 17 and 70 years old and must be able to work 12 to 14 hours in vintage wardrobe. The casting director will see candidates from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Abernathy Auditorium at Alabama State University and from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Performing Arts Theater in Selma. The Film Commission says people wanting to be extras must bring a valid photo ID and a recent photograph.