Republicans in Alabama will have to go to the polls again on July 17 in order to pick their party’s nominee to run for Attorney General in November. Attorney General Steve Marshall and former Attorney General Troy King received the highest percentage of votes. One candidate needed to get 50-percent or more of the vote in order to win the primary.

Political analysts had a close eye on this race saying it was the “most competitive” of all the races with an evenly split electorate. Opponents Chess Bedsole and Alice Martin kept the race tight.

The current attorney general got his job after former Governor Bentley appointed then-Attorney General Luther Strange to the U.S. Senate. Bentley was under investigation by Strange’s office at the time.

The Marshall campaign spent nearly $2 million on the race according to Alabama campaign finance records.

The former Attorney General served two Alabama Governors and one Attorney General and completed a six-year tenure as Attorney General.

According to Alabama campaign finance records King has spent about $1.4 million in the race.

Martin released a statement conceding Tuesday night:

“I want to thank my many supporters who worked tirelessly to spread our campaign’s message. Without the strong grassroots support for average voters and the backing from important groups like BamaCarry, Alabama Farmer’s Federation, Alabama Legislative Watchdogs, Maggie’s List, the Alabama Republican Assembly, and many other conservative organizations, this campaign would not have been possible. My focus in this campaign was the bring the issue of corruption to light and I am proud to have achieved that goal. I look forward to continuing to do my part to make Alabama a better place.”