Alabama political parties closed out qualifying for the 2018 elections on Friday, and there were several notable last-minute entries.
On the Democratic side, Joseph Siegelman filed paperwork to run for attorney general as a Democrat. Siegelman is the son of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Bob Vance announced a run for chief justice. Vance also ran for that post in 2012, but lost to Republican Roy Moore.
On the Republican side, the already crowded GOP field for governor grew by one more name: State Senator Slade Blackwell of Mountain Brook will be joining the fray.
Statewide offices, including governor, attorney general, lieutenant governor and chief justice, as well as legislative and congressional seats, are among the offices up for grabs this year.
Here's a look at some of the major statewide races:
GOVERNOR
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who became governor last year after the sudden resignation of then-Gov. Robert Bentley, will face multiple rivals in the GOP primary. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, state Sen. Bill Hightower of Mobile, state Sen. Slade Blackwell of Mountain Brook, evangelical preacher Scott Dawson, and Michael McAllister are challenging Ivey in the GOP primary.
On the Democratic side, the candidates include former chief justice Sue Bell Cobb, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, former state legislator James Fields, Christopher A. Countryman and Anthony White.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
In the Republican primary, Attorney General Steve Marshall, who was appointed to the post last year by Bentley, faces former U.S. Attorney Alice Martin, former Attorney General Troy King and Republican lawyer and former judge Chess Bedsole.
On the Democratic side, Joseph Siegelman will face lawyer Chris Christie in the June primary.
CHIEF JUSTICE
Chief Justice Lyn Stuart rose to the position after Roy Moore was suspended by a state ethics panel. In the Republican primary, she will face a challenge from a colleague and longtime Moore ally, Associate Justice Tom Parker.
On the Democratic side, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Bob Vance announced Friday that he is seeking the post for a second time.
