Upholding the Status Quo: an Analysis of the 2018 Alabama Governor’s Election

Abstract

The totality of conservative control in Alabama is comprehensive, encompassing partisan offices from the local level through the governorship and all state and national representatives, excluding a surprise upset when Democrats won the vacant senate seat after President Trump called Jeff Sessions to Washington to serve as Attorney General. This state of affairs did not happen in a short period of time. Conservatism has its roots in the deep south before the modern political system, as will be discussed later. These roots cemented Republican control in Alabama politics to such a degree, that over time, it has made it extremely difficult to challenge Republicans on any level. As a result, is it of no surprise that the Democratic candidate failed to win the 2018 Governor’s election.