Orr captures Senate seat

By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Republican Arthur Orr took the District Three senate seat Tuesday night, closing the chapter on a race political pundits described as particularly nasty.
Orr, a Decatur attorney, received 20,777 votes, or 62 percent, to opponent Bobby Day’s 12,502 votes, or 37 percent. Day is Morgan County’s long-time probate judge.
Orr’s victory placed the Senate seat in the hands of the Republicans, who had targeted the position ever since Democrat Tommy Ed Roberts said he would not seek reelection.
The race was one of the most expensive in state history, with candidates spending more than $1 million to capture a job that pays less than $60,000 per year.
The race took a nasty turn in recent weeks when Day accused Orr of working for a family owned gas station that was accused of price gauging after Hurricane Katrina. Day followed those accusations with another alleging the gas station’s leaky pump was responsible for causing a child’s cancer.
Orr demanded an apology and threatened to sue Day. He then followed with his own series of attack ads, alleging Day’s office was providing marriage licenses to illegal immigrants.
Orr has pledged to work with Gov. Bob Riley in Montgomery, following the GOP’s plan to target tax cuts, educational improvements and economic development.
District Three covers all of Morgan County, as well as parts of Limestone and Madison counties.