Alabama governor wins reelection

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) won reelection to a second term in the solidly Republican state. 

The Associated Press called the race immediately after polls closed there.

{mosads}Bentley’s win over Democratic challenger Parker Griffith means that nearly every statewide and congressional seat in Alabama remains in Republican hands. 

Bentley focused his campaign on job creation, harkening back to his 2010 campaign pledge that he would not take a salary until the rate dipped to 5.2 percent. The Alabama unemployment rate ranks 34th out of 50; Bentley has noted it is the lowest in the south. 

Griffith had focused on expanding Medicaid under the healthcare law, something Bentley and other Republicans in the state refused to do. 

Griffith jumped into the race late and substantially trailed throughout in both polling and fundraising. He previously served in Congress for one term, in 2009. He lost the seat two years later after switching parties, only to be defeated in the Republican primary.