GOP headed for runoffs in Alabama

Republicans are headed for a pair of House race runoffs in Alabama, where wide fields of candidates diluted the vote enough to keep one candidate from winning outright.

The runoffs will delay big general election matchups in which the Democrats already have a nominee.

{mosads}In retiring Rep. Bud Cramer’s (D) district, businessman Wayne Parker topped attorney Cheryl Baswell Guthrie 49-18 with 100 percent of precincts in, but he appears to have fallen just shy of avoiding the runoff. Former state Rep. Angelo “Doc” Mancuso was third with 16 percent.

In retiring Rep. Terry Everett’s (R) seat, state Rep. Jay Love will face state Sen. Harri Anne Smith. Love led Smith 35-22 with 96 percent of precincts in. Oral surgeon Craig Schmidtke was third with 20 percent.

The winners of the July 15 runoffs will face state Sen. Parker Griffith and Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright, respectively, who cruised to victory in the far less contentious Democratic primaries.

Both races look to be competitive in November, as Democrats harbor new hope in the South following special election victories in conservative Louisiana and Mississippi districts.