After easily winning a Republican primary runoff, Gov. Fob James mocked critics who view him as Alabama's latest gubernatorial embarrassment and promised more of the defiance that has made him a hero of the religious right.
James, known for insisting the Bill of Rights doesn't apply to states, his outspoken defense of school prayer and a Ten Commandments display in a courtroom, defeated businessman Winton Blount on Tuesday after a bitter campaign filled with name-calling.With 94 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday, James had 250,580 votes, or 56 percent, to Blount's 199,921 votes, or 44 percent.
In a rambling celebratory speech, James gave no indication he will mute his rhetoric as he heads into November's general election against Democratic Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman.