| − | Republican Governor [[Bob Riley]] is term-limited after two terms, and both parties faced a competitive primary. State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks trounced 7th district Congressman Artur Davis for the Democratic nomination, while State Representative and physician [[Robert Bentley]] defeated former State Senator Bradley Byrne in the Republican runoff. Bentley led in the polls by twenty points though out the campaign, and was elected by a 58%-42% margin. Republicans have won 6 out of the last 7 gubernatorial elections in Alabama, and John McCain won its 9 electoral votes by 60-percentage points. | + | Republican Governor [[Bob Riley]] is term-limited after two terms, and both parties faced a competitive primary. State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks trounced 7th district Congressman Artur Davis for the Democratic nomination, while State Representative and physician [[Robert Bentley]] defeated former State Senator Bradley Byrne in the Republican runoff. Bentley led in the polls by twenty points throughout the campaign, and was elected by a 58%-42% margin. Republicans have won 6 out of the last 7 gubernatorial elections in Alabama, and John McCain won its 9 electoral votes by 60-percentage points. |