The 2014 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of Alabama. Incumbent Governor Robert J. Bentley won a second term over Democrat Parker Griffith. This was the first Alabama gubernatorial race where either Choctaw and/or Conecuh counties voted Republican. As of 2026, this is the last time Jefferson County voted Republican in any statewide election contested by a Democrat. Bentley did not complete this term; he resigned in April 2017 due to a scandal and was succeeded by fellow Republican Kay Ivey.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared Robert J. Bentley, incumbent governor Stacy Lee George, former Morgan County commissioner Bob Starkey, retired software company owner and candidate for mayor of Scottsboro in 2012
Declined Tommy Battle, mayor of Huntsville Bradley Byrne, U.S. representative and candidate for governor in 2010 (ran for re-election) David Carrington, president of the Jefferson County Commission (ran for re-election) Beth Chapman, former secretary of state of Alabama Mike Hubbard, speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives (ran for re-election) Mary Scott Hunter, member of the Alabama State Board of Education (ran for re-election) Kay Ivey, lieutenant governor of Alabama (ran for re-election) Tim James, businessman, son of former Governor Fob James, and candidate for governor in 2002 and 2010 Del Marsh, president pro tempore of the Alabama Senate (ran for re-election) Roy Moore, chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and candidate for governor in 2006 and 2010 Tony Petelos, Jefferson County manager and former mayor of Hoover Bob Riley, former governor of Alabama Luther Strange, attorney general of Alabama (ran for re-election)
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror Robert J.Bentley Stacy LeeGeorge BobStarkey UndecidedCygnalCygnal May 29–30, 2014 1,217 ± 2.81% 80.7% 5.1% 5.3% 8.9%CygnalCygnal May 19–20, 2014 1,324 ± 2.69% 73.3% 3.1% 1.8% 21.8%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror Robert J.Bentley BobRiley Other/UndecidedCapital Survey Research CenterCapital Survey Research Center May 21–23; June 4–6, 2012 315 ± 5.5% 49.5% 27.6% 23.9%
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared Kevin Bass, businessman, former professional baseball player and candidate for mayor of Fayette in 2012 Parker Griffith, former U.S. representative, a former Republican while serving in Congress
Declined Billy Beasley, state senator Regina Benjamin, former surgeon general of the United States Sue Bell Cobb, former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Vivian Davis Figures, minority leader of the Alabama Senate and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2008 Craig Ford, minority leader of the Alabama House of Representatives Pete Johnson, retired Jefferson County judge John Rogers, state representative Robert Vance, Jefferson County circuit judge and nominee for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 2012
Endorsements
Results
Independents
Candidates
Declined Charles Barkley, former NBA player
General election Endorsements
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 3, 2014 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 3, 2014 Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2014 Real Clear Politics November 3, 2014
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror RobertBentley (R) ParkerGriffith (D) Other UndecidedCBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 2014 661 ± 6% 63% 25% 0% 12%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20 – October 1, 2014 692 ± 4% 65% 28% 1% 6%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18 – September 2, 2014 741 ± 5% 62% 28% 1% 9%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 2014 1,036 ± 5.2% 59% 31% 2% 9%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports June 9–10, 2014 750 ± 4% 55% 32% 4% 9%
Results
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Butler (largest city: Greenville) Chambers (largest city: Valley) Choctaw (largest city: Butler) Conecuh (largest city: Evergreen) Coosa (largest city: Goodwater) Henry (largest city: Headland) Jefferson (largest city: Birmingham)
By congressional district Bentley won six of seven congressional districts. District Bentley Griffith Representative 66% 34%Bradley Byrne 64% 35%Martha Roby 64% 36%Mike Rogers 73% 27%Robert Aderholt 71% 28%Mo Brooks 76% 24%Gary Palmer 31% 69%Terri Sewell
References
External links Alabama gubernatorial election, 2014 at Ballotpedia
Official campaign websites (archived) Robert Bentley for Governor incumbent Kevin Bass for Governor Parker Griffith for Governor