Controversial Alabama Governor Forced Into Runoff

Gov. Forrest “Fob” James Jr., a favorite of social conservatives, failed to get a majority in Tuesday’s GOP primary and was forced into a June 30 runoff with a moderate businessman.

With 91% of precincts reporting, before vote counting stopped for the night, James had 163,711 votes, or 48%, while Winton Blount had 139,941 votes, or 41%.

Also running for the Republican nomination was former Gov. Guy Hunt, who had 27,824 votes, or 8%. Hunt was removed from office in 1993 on an ethics conviction and received a pardon in time to qualify for the primary.

Republicans worried that no matter who wins, a brutal runoff will weaken the party’s chances against Democratic Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman, 52, who beat three primary rivals on Tuesday.

James’ stand on religious issues attracted more national attention than any Alabama governor since George C. Wallace in his segregationist heyday. James, 63, threatened to have the National Guard defend a courtroom display of the Ten Commandments, fought a judge’s order stopping school-led religious activities and maintained that the Bill of Rights did not apply to his state.

James’ failure to win the primary outright Tuesday raises questions about the potency of social conservatives who have rallied to his cause. His campaign has drawn national figures in the Christian conservative movement--Jerry Falwell and Phyllis Schlafly endorsed him, and Ralph Reed signed on as a consultant.

Blount, 55, who owns car dealerships and a plastics firm, sought the backing of more mainstream Republicans, and argued that the governor had hurt the state’s image.

The GOP’s ideological divide also was an issue in New Jersey, where 18-year congressional incumbent Marge Roukema staved off a GOP primary challenge from conservative opponent Scott Garrett. With 85% of the votes counted, she was leading, 55% to 45%.

Also in New Jersey, scientist Rush Holt won the Democratic nomination to face Republican Rep. Michael Pappas. He beat wealthy lawyer Carl Mayer, who caught the attention of Washington Democrats with his big-spending campaign.

In Iowa, former Rep. Jim Ross Lightfoot easily won the GOP nomination for governor on Tuesday, as Democratic state Sen. Tom Vilsack won the right to try to end the nation’s longest gubernatorial losing streak.

Lightfoot beat Secretary of State Paul Pate and cable television executive David Oman. The 59-year-old former congressman is the heavy favorite to succeed Gov. Terry E. Branstad, who is stepping down after four terms.

With 95% of precincts reporting, Lightfoot had 110,838 votes, or 70% of the vote, while Oman had 34,785 votes, or 22%, and Pate had 13,073 votes, or 8%.

Lightfoot served six terms in Congress before resigning in 1996 in an unsuccessful bid to unseat Sen. Tom Harkin.

On the Democratic side, Vilsack beat former state Supreme Court Justice Mark McCormick. With 96% of precincts reporting, Vilsack had 58,254 votes, or 51%, to McCormick’s 55,265, or 49%.

“If this trend continues, it’s obvious that the Democratic Party is concerned about working families,” Vilsack said after he was declared the winner. “My campaign was based around that message.”

Iowa hasn’t elected a Democratic governor in 32 years.

In New Mexico, former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, a favorite of party leaders because of his centrist reputation, won the Democratic nomination to face controversial Republican Gov. Gary Johnson in November.

That state’s Democratic leaders welcomed the victory by Atty. Gen. Tom Udall, son of former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, in a congressional primary. He will face freshman Republican Rep. Bill Redmond in the fall.

Primaries also were held in South Dakota, where Republicans chose lawyer Ron Schmidt to face Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, and in Montana.