Record-setting crowds turn out for election
More than 150,000 votes were cast Tuesday in Madison County. The county has 212,574 registered voters. The election also saw a large number of straight-party voters, with more Democrats than Republicans voting strictly along party lines. There were 34,118 straight-party Democrats, some 57 percent, compared to 26,040 Republicans, or 43 percent.
Madison County joined in the rest of Alabama in voting for Republican candidate John McCain. County voters gave McCain 57 percent of its votes compared to 43 percent for Barack Obama.
Congressional candidate Parker Griffith, a Democrat, defeated challenger Wayne Parker. Griffith received 51 percent of the vote in Madison County and 52 percent district wide. Griffith replaces retiring congressman Bud Cramer.
Incumbents on the Morgan County Commission faired well. Mike Gillespie retained chairmanship of the commission, with Roger Jones, Faye Dyer, Jerry Craig, Dale Strong, Mo Brooks and Bob Harrison all winning reelection.
Fran Hamilton outpolled Republican challenger Drew McKay 54 percent to 46 percent to win the Madison County Tax Assessor post. Democrat Lynda Hall defeated Republican Cory Brown 58 percent to 42 percent.
Mark Craig retained his seat as Madison County License Commissioner, outpolling Republican Susan Newman 61 percent to 39 percent.
