2010 Alabama gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2010 United States gubernatorial elections.

2010 Alabama gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 2006 | November 2, 2010 | 2014 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Robert J. Bentley | Ron Sparks |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 860,472 | 625,710
Percentage  | 57.58% | 41.87%

* * *

County results
Bentley: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Sparks: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%

* * *

| Governor before election

Bob Riley
Republican

| Elected Governor

Robert J. Bentley
Republican

|

Elections in Alabama

Federal government

|  Presidential elections

* 1820
* 1824
* 1828
* 1832
* 1836
* 1840
* 1844
* 1848
* 1852
* 1856
* 1860
* 1868
* 1872
* 1876
* 1880
* 1884
* 1888
* 1892
* 1896
* 1900
* 1904
* 1908
* 1912
* 1916
* 1920
* 1924
* 1928
* 1932
* 1936
* 1940
* 1944
* 1948
* 1952
* 1956
* 1960
* 1964
* 1968
* 1972
* 1976
* 1980
* 1984
* 1988
* 1992
* 1996
* 2000
* 2004
* 2008
* 2012
* 2016
* 2020
* 2024

Presidential primaries

Democratic
2000
2004
2008
2016
2020
2024

Republican
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
U.S. Senate elections

* 1819
* 1822
* 1822 sp
* 1826 sp
* 1828
* 1831
* 1834
* 1837
* 1837 sp
* 1840
* 1841 sp
* 1842
* 1847
* 1848 sp
* 1849 sp
* 1853
* 1855
* 1858
* 1868
* 1870
* 1872
* 1872 sp
* 1876
* 1878
* 1878 sp
* 1880 sp
* 1882
* 1884
* 1888
* 1890
* 1894
* 1896
* 1897
* 1900
* 1903
* 1907
* 1907 sp
* 1908
* 1911
* 1914
* 1914 sp
* 1918
* 1920
* 1920 sp
* 1924
* 1926
* 1930
* 1932
* 1936
* 1938
* 1938 sp
* 1942
* 1944
* 1946 sp
* 1948
* 1950
* 1954
* 1956
* 1960
* 1962
* 1966
* 1968
* 1972
* 1974
* 1978
* 1978 sp
* 1980
* 1984
* 1986
* 1990
* 1992
* 1996
* 1998
* 2002
* 2004
* 2008
* 2010
* 2014
* 2016
* 2017 sp
* 2020
* 2022
* 2026
* 2028

U.S. House of Representatives elections

* 1819
* 1821
* 1823
* 1825
* 1827
* 1829
* 1831
* 1833
* 1835
* 1837
* 1839
* 3rd sp
* 1841
* 1843
* 1845
* 3rd sp
* 1846
* 7th sp
* 1847
* 3rd sp
* 1849
* 1851
* 1853
* 1855
* 1857
* 1859
* 1868
* 1869
* 1870
* 1872
* 1874
* 1876
* 1878
* 1880
* 6th sp
* 1882
* 1883
* 1st sp
* 8th sp
* 1884
* 1886
* 1888
* 1890
* 1892
* 1894
* 3rd sp
* 1896
* 1898
* 1900
* 8th sp
* 1902
* 1904
* 5th sp
* 1906
* 1908
* 2nd sp
* 1910
* 1912
* 1914
* 3rd sp
* 8th sp
* 1916
* 1918
* 1919
* 7th sp
* 1920
* 5th sp
* 1921
* 4th sp
* 1922
* 1923
* 2nd sp
* 1924
* 1926
* 1928
* 3rd sp
* 5th sp
* 1930
* 1932
* 1933
* 8th sp
* 1934
* 1935
* 1st sp
* 1936
* 1938
* 2nd sp
* 1940
* 7th sp
* 1941
* 7th sp
* 1942
* 1943
* 3rd sp
* 1944
* 3rd sp
* 1946
* 1947
* 8th sp
* 1948
* 1950
* 1952
* 1954
* 1956
* 1958
* 1960
* 1962
* 1964
* 1966
* 1968
* 1970
* 1972
* 3rd sp
* 1974
* 1976
* 1978
* 1980
* 1982
* 1984
* 1986
* 1988
* 1989
* 3rd sp
* 1990
* 1992
* 1994
* 1996
* 1998
* 2000
* 2002
* 2004
* 2006
* 2008
* 2010
* 2012
* 2013
* 1st sp
* 2014
* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024

State government

|  State elections

* 2004
* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022

Gubernatorial elections

* 1819
* 1821
* 1823
* 1825
* 1827
* 1829
* 1831
* 1833
* 1835
* 1837
* 1839
* 1841
* 1843
* 1845
* 1847
* 1849
* 1851
* 1853
* 1855
* 1857
* 1859
* 1861
* 1863
* 1865
* 1868
* 1870
* 1872
* 1874
* 1876
* 1878
* 1880
* 1882
* 1884
* 1886
* 1888
* 1890
* 1892
* 1894
* 1896
* 1898
* 1900
* 1902
* 1906
* 1910
* 1914
* 1918
* 1922
* 1926
* 1930
* 1934
* 1938
* 1942
* 1946
* 1950
* 1954
* 1958
* 1962
* 1966
* 1970
* 1974
* 1978
* 1982
* 1986
* 1990
* 1994
* 1998
* 2002
* 2006
* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022
* 2026

Lieutenant gubernatorial elections

* 2022

Attorney General elections

* 2018
* 2022

State Treasurer elections

* 2022

Senate elections

* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022
* 2026

House of Representatives elections

* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022

Ballot measures

2000
Amendment 2

2006
Amendment 774

2020
Amendment 1

Auburn

|  Municipal

* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022

Birmingham

|  Mayoral elections

* 2017
* 2021

Huntsville

|  Mayoral elections

* 2008
* 2012
* 2016
* 2020
* 2024

Mobile

|  Mayoral elections

* 2021

Montgomery

|  Mayoral elections

* 2007
* 2009 sp
* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023

Government

* v
* t
* e

The 2010 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Governor Bob Riley was term-limited and unable to seek re-election. The party primaries were held on June 1, 2010,[1] with a Republican runoff on July 13. In the general election, Robert J. Bentley defeated Democrat Ron Sparks. This was the first election in which Republicans won three consecutive gubernatorial elections in the state. This was also the first time since Reconstruction that a Republican carried Colbert County, Franklin County, and Lawrence County in a gubernatorial race.

## Republican primary

[edit]

### Candidates

[edit]

* Robert J. Bentley, state representative
* Bradley Byrne, former state two-year college chancellor, former state senator and former member of the Alabama State Board of Education[2]
* Tim James, businessman, son of former Governor Fob James and candidate for governor in 2002[3]
* Bill Johnson, former director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and former Birmingham City Councilman[4]
* Roy Moore, former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and candidate for governor in 2006[5]
* James Potts, perennial candidate
* Charles Taylor, perennial candidate

### Endorsements

[edit]

Robert J. Bentley

State governors

* Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and candidate for president in 2008

Bradley Byrne

Individuals

* Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida[6]
* Jack Edwards, former U.S. Representative from Alabama's 1st congressional district[7]
* Jimmy Rane, president of Great Southern Wood[8]
* Brian LeCompte, conservative blogger
* Ben Brooks, state senator
* State Representatives Mike Ball, Phil Williams, Jamie Ison, Chad Fincher, Victor Gaston, and Jim Barton
* Mobile City Council members John Williams and Connie Hudson[9][10]

Associations

* Alabama Retail Association[11]
* Alabama Home Builders Association[12]
* Alabama Association of Realtors[13]
* Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama[14]
* Right on Huntsville[15]

Tim James

U.S. Representatives

* Robert Aderholt, U.S. Representative from Alabama's 4th congressional district[16]

Organizations

* Alabama Republican Assembly[17]

Roy Moore

Individuals

* Bobby Allison, former NASCAR driver and founder of the Alabama Gang[18]

### Polling

[edit]

Source  | Date(s) administered  | Robert J. Bentley | Bradley Byrne | Kay Ivey | Tim James | Bill Johnson  | Roy Moore | Undecided

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Research 2000 | May 17–19, 2010  | 9%  | 29% | \--  | 17%  | 3%  | 23%  | 17%
Public Strategy Associates | May 10–11, 2010  | 12%  | 24% | n/a  | 23%  | 2%  | 18%  | 21%
Ayres, McHenry and Associates | May 3–4, 2010  | 7%  | 20%  | n/a  | 26% | n/a  | 21%  | 26%
Public Policy Polling | March 27–29, 2010  | 10%  | 27% | 10%  | 9%  | 1%  | 23%  | 20%
Public Strategy Associates | February 3–4, 2010  | 4%  | 20% | 3%  | 8%  | 2%  | 17%  | 46%

### Results

[edit]

Primary county results Republican primary results[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Bradley Byrne  | 137,451  | 27.89
| Republican | Robert J. Bentley  | 123,958  | 25.15
| Republican | Tim James  | 123,792  | 25.12
| Republican | Roy Moore  | 95,163  | 19.31
| Republican | Bill Johnson  | 8,362  | 1.70
| Republican | Charles Taylor  | 2,622  | 0.53
| Republican | James Potts  | 1,549  | 0.31
Total votes  | 492,897  | 100.0%
Runoff county results Republican primary runoff results (July 13, 2010)[20] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Robert J. Bentley  | 260,887  | 56.07
| Republican | Bradley Byrne  | 204,394  | 43.93
Total votes  | 465,281  | 100.00

## Democratic primary

[edit]

### Candidates

[edit]

* Ron Sparks, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries[21]
* Artur Davis, U.S. Representative[22]

### Polling

[edit]

Source  | Date(s) administered  | Artur Davis  | Ron Sparks  | Sam Franklin  | Undecided

|
|
|
|
|

Research 2000 | May 17–19, 2010  | 41% | 33%  | \--  | 11%
Public Policy Polling | March 27–29, 2010  | 38% | 28%  | 9%  | 25%

### Results

[edit]

County results Democratic primary results[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Ron Sparks  | 199,558  | 62.44
| Democratic | Artur Davis  | 120,050  | 37.56
Total votes  | 319,608  | 100.00

## General election

[edit]

### Predictions

[edit]

Source  | Ranking  | As of

|
|

Cook Political Report[24] | Likely R  | October 14, 2010
Rothenberg[25] | Safe R  | October 28, 2010
RealClearPolitics[26] | Safe R  | November 1, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball[27] | Likely R  | October 28, 2010
CQ Politics[28] | Lean R  | October 28, 2010

### Polling

[edit]

Poll source  | Dates administered  | Robert
Bentley (R)  | Ron
Sparks (D)

|
|
|

Rasmussen Reports | September 21, 2010  | 55% | 35%
Rasmussen Reports | August 19, 2010  | 58% | 34%
Rasmussen Reports | July 22, 2010  | 55% | 35%
Rasmussen Reports | June 3, 2010  | 56% | 37%
Rasmussen Reports | May 25, 2010  | 44% | 31%

### Results

[edit]

Swing by county

Legend

* Democratic—+25-30%

* Democratic—+20-25%

* Democratic—+15-20%

* Democratic—+10-15%

* Democratic—+5-10%

* Democratic—+<5%

* Republican—+<5%

* Republican—+5-10%

* Republican—+10-15%

* Republican—+15-20%

* Republican—+20-25%

* Republican—+25-30%

* Republican—+30-35%

Trend by county

Legend

* Democratic—+25-30%

* Democratic—+20-25%

* Democratic—+15-20%

* Democratic—+10-15%

* Democratic—+5-10%

* Democratic—+<5%

* Republican—+<5%

* Republican—+5-10%

* Republican—+10-15%

* Republican—+15-20%

* Republican—+20-25%

* Republican—+25-30%

* Republican—+30-35%

2010 Alabama gubernatorial election[29] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Robert J. Bentley (incumbent)  | 860,472  | 57.58%  | +0.13%
| Democratic | Ron Sparks | 625,710  | 41.87%  | +0.30%
| Write-in | 8,091  | 0.54%  | -0.44%
Total votes  | 1,494,273  | 100.00%  | N/A
| Republican hold

#### Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

[edit]

* Jefferson County (largest city: Birmingham)
* Butler (Largest city: Greenville)
* Chambers (Largest city: Valley)
* Montgomery (Largest city: Montgomery)
* Henry (Largest city:Headland)

#### Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

[edit]

* Franklin (Largest city: Russellville)
* Marion (Largest city: Hamilton)
* Walker (Largest city: Jasper)
* Colbert (Largest city: Muscle Shoals)
* Lamar (Largest city: Vernon)
* Talladega (Largest city: Talladega)
* Lawrence (Largest city: Moulton)

## See also

[edit]

* List of governors of Alabama

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Alabama Secretary of State's website". Sos.state.al.us. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
2. ^ File photo (May 27, 2009). "Bradley Byrne announces run for governor of Alabama | al.com". Blog.al.com. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
3. ^ "Alabama State Profile". KOMO-TV. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
4. ^ "Former Birmingham City Councilman Bill Johnson enters Alabama governor's race". The Birmingham News. Archived from the original on November 29, 2009.
5. ^ Screen reproduction (June 1, 2009). "Roy Moore makes it official, he's running for Alabama governor | al.com". Blog.al.com. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
6. ^ "Bush Backs Byrne in Alabama". Politico.com. March 5, 2010.
7. ^ Jack Edwards' Endorsement of Bradley Byrne.
8. ^ Jimmy Rane's Endorsement of Bradley Byrne.
9. ^ "Various Individual Endorsements of Bradley Byrne".[permanent dead link]
10. ^ "Byrne Endorsed by Conservative Leaders at Huntsville Campaign Fish Fry".[permanent dead link]
11. ^ "RetailPAC Endorses Byrne for Governor". Archived from the original on July 24, 2011.
12. ^ "Alabama Home Builders Association Endorses Bradley Byrne". Archived from the original on April 18, 2010.
13. ^ REALTOR's Endorsment [sic] of Bradley Byrne. Archived from the original on August 10, 2010.
14. ^ ABC's Endoresment of Bradley Byrne.
15. ^ "Right on Hunstville Endorses Bradley Byrne".[permanent dead link]
16. ^ "Aderholt, Giles Endorse Tim James for Governor". Doc's Political Parlor. April 22, 2009. Archived from the original on April 29, 2010.
17. ^ "Ala. Republican Assembly backs James, Erwin". Opelika-Auburn News. May 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012.
18. ^ "NASCAR legend Bobby Allison endorses Roy Moore for Alabama governor". The Huntsville Times. Associated Press. April 21, 2010. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
19. ^ "Election Results – Republican Primary". sos.alabama.gov. Alabama Secretary of State. June 11, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
20. ^ "The 2010 Results Maps". Politico. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
21. ^ "Ron Sparks announces run for governor". The Birmingham News. April 3, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
22. ^ Dean, Charles J. (February 1, 2009). "Alabama U.S. Rep Artur Davis set to launch run for governor". The Birmingham News. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
23. ^ "Alabama Governor Primary Results". Politico. June 1, 2010. Archived from the original on June 5, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
24. ^ "2010 Governors Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
25. ^ "Governor Ratings". Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
26. ^ "2010 Governor Races". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
27. ^ "THE CRYSTAL BALL'S FINAL CALLS". Sabato's Crystal Ball. October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
28. ^ "Race Ratings Chart: Governor". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
29. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 4, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2010.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

## External links

[edit]

* Alabama Secretary of State – Elections
* Alabama Governor Candidates Archived November 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine at Project Vote Smart
* Alabama Governor 2010 from OurCampaigns.com
* Campaign contributions for 2010 Alabama Governor from Follow the Money
* 2010 Alabama Gubernatorial General Election graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
* Election 2010: Alabama Governor from Rasmussen Reports
* 2010 Alabama Governor Race from Real Clear Politics
* 2010 Alabama Governor's Race[permanent dead link] from CQ Politics[dead link]
* Race Profile in The New York Times

Debates

* Alabama Gubernatorial Debate, C-SPAN, September 16, 2010

Official campaign websites

* Robert J. Bentley for Governor
* Ron Sparks for Governor

* v
* t
* e

Alabama gubernatorial elections

* 1819
* 1821
* 1823
* 1825
* 1827
* 1829
* 1831
* 1833
* 1835
* 1837
* 1839
* 1841
* 1843
* 1845
* 1847
* 1849
* 1851
* 1853
* 1855
* 1857
* 1859
* 1861
* 1863
* 1865
* 1868
* 1870
* 1872
* 1874
* 1876
* 1878
* 1880
* 1882
* 1884
* 1886
* 1888
* 1890
* 1892
* 1894
* 1896
* 1898
* 1900
* 1902
* 1906
* 1910
* 1914
* 1918
* 1922
* 1926
* 1930
* 1934
* 1938
* 1942
* 1946
* 1950
* 1954
* 1958
* 1962
* 1966
* 1970
* 1974
* 1978
* 1982
* 1986
* 1990
* 1994
* 1998
* 2002
* 2006
* 2010
* 2014
* 2018
* 2022

* v
* t
* e

(2009 <-)  2010 United States elections (-> 2011)

U.S.
Senate|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware (special)
* Florida
* Georgia
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Illinois
* special
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maryland
* Massachusetts (special)
* Missouri
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New York
* New York (special)
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Democratic primary
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Utah
* Vermont
* Washington
* West Virginia (special)
* Wisconsin

U.S.
House
(election
ratings)|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* American Samoa
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* District of Columbia
* Florida
* 19th sp
* Georgia
* 9th sp
* Guam
* Hawaii
* 1st sp
* Idaho
* Illinois
* 17th
* Indiana
* 3rd sp
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Missouri
* Montana
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* New York
* 29th sp
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* 12th sp
*   * Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* Utah
* Vermont
* Virginia
* 5th
* Washington
* West Virginia
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

Governors|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Lt. Gov
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Florida
* Georgia
* Guam
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Mexico
* New York
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Lt. Gov
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Lt. Gov
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* Utah (special)
* Vermont
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

Attorneys
general|

* California
* Connecticut
* Florida
* Maryland
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Ohio
* New York

State
legislatures|

* Alabama
* House
* Senate
* California
* Assembly
* Senate
* Connecticut
* House
* Senate
* Delaware
* House
* Senate
* Georgia
* House
* Senate
* Illinois
* House
* Senate
* Iowa Senate
* Maryland
* House
* Senate
* Massachusetts Senate
* Michigan
* House
* Senate
* Minnesota
* House
* Senate
* Missouri
* House
* Senate
* Montana House
* New Mexico House
* New York Senate
* North Carolina
* House
* Senate
* Oregon legislative
* Pennsylvania
* House
* Senate
* Texas
* House
* Senate
* Washington (state)
* House
* Senate
* Wisconsin
* Assembly
* Senate

Mayors|

* Anaheim, CA
* Honolulu, HI (special)
* Irvine, CA
* Long Beach, CA
* Louisville, KY
* New Orleans, LA
* Newark, NJ
* Norfolk, VI
* Oakland, CA
* Orange County, FL
* Providence, RI
* San Jose, CA
* Santa Ana, CA
* Tallahassee, TN
* Washington, DC

States|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* American Samoa
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* Florida
* Georgia
* Guam
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Missouri
* Montana
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* New York
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Puerto Rico
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* Utah
* Vermont
* Virginia
* Washington
* West Virginia
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template