Alabama Governor Robert Bentley won by a landslide yesterday during midterm elections. The Republican candidate beat Democratic opponent Parker Griffith after collecting 58 percent of the votes.

The governor’s allies hope that this will allow him to continue to push his current agenda.

Bentley and over 500 supporters celebrated his victory last night at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Montgomery, where Bentley thanked voters and said, “We have the absolute greatest, hardworking, loving, caring, toughest people and I’m talking about Alabamians.”

In the past four years, over Bentley’s watch, the state has seen unemployment reduced, jobs created, and government revamped to work more efficiently. But Bentley promises more.

“I can promise you this: I will work hard every day to honor the trust they have given me. And I’m asking every public official … to do the same, he said. “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to continue to serve you.”

Bentley faces challenges in his upcoming term that include: the cutting of $230 million from the General Fund and the crisis in the state’s prison system where overcrowding and the abuse of prisoners (especially women prisoners) may lead to the system being taken over by the federal government.

If you are moving to Birmingham, Governor Bentley welcomes you and your family and hopes that his initiatives will help serve newcomers with jobs and an efficient state government system.