LEEDS — With the help of voters in Jefferson and St. Clair County, a previously-considered dark horse may now have the inside track to Montgomery in the race for Alabama’s governor’s seat.

Voter turnout is historically low for run-off elections and this year was no different with only 1,628 Leeds voters filling out ballots in Thursday’s election.

With the momentum he gained in a close race for second in the Republican primary election, Dr. Robert Bentley defeated Bradley Byrne Tuesday and will now begin campaigning against David Sparks, the Democrat’s nominee.

Byrne, at one point considered the favorite to win the GOP primary, fell despite finishing first in the primary in June.

Bentley spent much of the last week campaigning, including a stop in Leeds where he greeted potential voters at Caney Fork Restaurant on Thursday, July 8. He had gained the support of many voters who had backed Tim James, who was so close with Bentley after the primary vote that a recount was needed.

Bentley won the run-off with approximately 56 percent of the Republican votes statewide.

Leeds solidly backed the Tuscaloosa physician. He took all three precincts in Leeds for a total vote tally of 898 to Byrne’s 631.

St. Clair County also supported Bentley. Those voting on the Republican ballot gave Bentley 5,662 votes to Byrne’s 3,684.

In the run-off for seats on the Jefferson County Commission, George Bowman defeated Johnathan Austin in District 1; Sandra Brown defeated Gary Richardson in District 2; V.J. Ford defeated Ron Yarbrough in District 3 (Democrat); and Jimmie Stephens defeated incumbent Bobby Humphryes in District 3 (Republican).

On the Demoratic ballot, W.E. Hill defeated Ron Blankenship in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s race.

Terry Sewell defeated former Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Smoot in the Democratic race for the 7th Congressional District seat.

In other races, John McMillan defeated Dorman Grace (Republican) for Agriculature Commissioner; James Anderson turned away Giles Perkins (Democrat) for Attorney General; and Twinkle Cavanaugh defeated Stephen Evans (Republican) for Place 1 on the Public Service Commission.

In judicial races, Kenya Marshall defeated Nicole Still (Democrat) for Place 17 on the Jefferson County Circuit Court; Annetta Verin defeated Dan King (Democrat) in Place 12; and Carnella Greene-Norman defeated Denise Pomeroy (Democrat) for Place 23.

St. Clair County BOE

In races in St. Clair County, Terry Green won the at-large seat on the school board over challenger Jeff Parish.