By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead extended his congratulations to former state Senator Bradley Byrne late Tuesday evening as election results from the First Congressional District special general election indicated that he will be Alabama’s newest Congressman.
Chairman Armistead said, “I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Bradley Byrne for his victory tonight! Following a packed primary and high intensity runoff, I am glad to announce that Byrne will be joining Alabama’s current conservatives in Washington. I thank the people of south Alabama for showing up at the polls today to elect a strong conservative that will be their voice in Congress.”
The Republican Party Chairman continued, “Residents of south Alabama have visited their polling locations many, many times this year but I am thankful and grateful to those who did so again. Getting out the vote is a deciding factor in Republicans retaining key seats across the state. We have a strong Republican delegation representing Alabama in Washington, D.C. and Congressman-elect Bradley Byrne will make it even stronger. I am confident that Bradley will stand in the gap for the people of the First District and join our Republican delegation in resisting the overreach of the Obama Administration. Knowing Bradley, he will hit the ground running.”
According to information provided by ALGOP Bradley Byrne received 36,042 votes (71%) and Democrat Burton Leflore received 14,968 votes (29%). Provisional ballots still have to be factored in.
The First Congressional District includes Washington, Baldwin, Mobile, Escambia, Monroe counties and part of Clarke County.
The rare congressional special election became necessary after incumbent Congressman Jo Bonner (R) from Mobile resigned in August to take a job with the University of Alabama System. Rep. Bonner endorsed Byrne.
Byrne will be sworn in next month and one of the first duties the new congressman has to do is to get his congressional offices up and running again.
Congressman Bradley Byrne will have to face re-election next year and Byrne could face a Republican Primary opponent on June 3rd.
