By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Morgan County Probate Judge Bobby Day, a Democrat, and Decatur attorney Arthur Orr, a Republican, ousted their opponents in Tuesday's primary election and will face each other for the State Senate – Place 3 seat in the November general election.
Day, 73, trailed Decatur physician Dr. Angelo Mancuso in 10 of District 3's precincts in Limestone and Madison counties for the Democratic Party nomination but more than made up for the loss by coming out a winner in all 45 of Morgan County's precincts. Overall, he polled 5,494 votes, or 75.1 percent, to Mancuso's 2,227, or 28.8 percent.
Decatur attorney Arthur Orr scored a resounding victory over Priceville businessman Hubert Porter in his first race for a public office. He pulled in14,225 votes, or 84 percent, compared to Porter's 2,702, or 16 percent.
Day opted to forgo retirement and run for the state senate when Tommy Ed Roberts announced last year he didn't plan to seek reelection. Day is serving in his fifth consecutive term as probate judge. When he passed the age of 70 he was no longer eligible to seek reelection under state law. His term ends in January 2007.
"I'm extremely grateful to the voters for their support," Day said. "But the job is not finished. This is just one phase-the Democratic nomination. I expect a tough fight in the November race and I intend to work very long and hard to finish the job.
"I'm proud to be the Democratic nominee and I promise the people of District 3 that I will serve them full-time if I am elected."
Orr echoed the feelings of pride.
"I'm proud to be the Republican Party nominee but there's a lot of work yet to be done," Orr said. "I'll be proud to follow Tommy Ed Roberts and continue his strong legacy of service to the people of District 3.
"I'm very grateful to the voters for their support and welcome those who voted for my opponent to join me in my campaign to be elected in November."