CENTRE — Tuscaloosa native Robert Bentley, a self-proclaimed “outsider” candidate for governor, soundly defeated Bradley Byrne in Tuesday’s Republican runoff — here, there, and everywhere. 

In Cherokee County, Bentley won even more soundly with 72 percent (1,259) to Byrne’s 28 percent (482). Statewide, Bentley claimed 56 percent of the vote. 

A retired dermatologist, Bentley was a largely unknown lawmaker until a few months ago. But his positive campaign, including a promise to turn down a salary for governor unless the state’s unemployment rate drops below 5 percent, convinced many conservatives. 

In his concession speech, given around 9:30 p.m. in Montgomery, Byrne was gracious. After calling for a round of applause for Bentley, the former two-year college chancellor gave the Tuscaloosa dermatologist his endorsement. 

“I will vote for him in November,” Byrne said.  

Late Tuesday night, Bentley said voter turnout was higher than expected because Alabama voters realized the GOP runoff “is the race for governor.” 

But the Birmingham News argued Tuesday that may not necessarily be the case. 

“In the coming weeks and months, Bentley may find out differently, especially if gambling is the winning hand [Democratic nominee Ron] Sparks believes it is,” wrote the newspaper’s editorial board. 

In other GOP returns, the runoff for commissioner of Agriculture was won in Cherokee County by Dorman Grace (54 percent) over John McMillan (36 percent). Statewide, McMillan won by a narrow margin. 

In Cherokee County, Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh lost to Stephen Evans for Place 1 on the Public Service Commission (51 percent to 49 percent), although she won the race statewide.