UPDATED: Kelley wins Republican state Senate runoff | News | #republicans | #Alabama | #GOP

Kelley will face Democrat Danny McCullars in the general election Nov. 8.

“This is a big victory; this is a victory for District 12 and I still believe that we all work together and we work across the aisle and help each other,” Kelley said.

Kelley was surrounded by about 30 friends and family at his real estate office in Anniston for an election night party.

During his acceptance speech Kelley said all glory goes to God for his victory.

“When you have what we were up against financially, the whole nine yards of what we were up against there is no other explanation but God’s grace and to him be all the glory,” Kelley said.

Kelley then said he didn’t win on his own and credited his team.

“There is absolutely no way this would have happened without y’all and a lot more, today we have different people that have done different things, we’re all different and we came together because we believe our state is something special and we want to protect it,” he said.

Kelley went on to credit God for founding the country and the state of Alabama.

“And we want to protect those values,” Kelley said.

“Your belief in those same ideals and we share that, so we won tonight and we’ve got another one to do in November,” he said.

“But let’s enjoy tonight, everyone had a part in this because we had so much to overcome that it just does not happen,” Kelley said.

Draper gave her concession speech to supporters and family members at 9 p.m. at the Coldwater Mountain Brewpub in Anniston.

The mood of the 40 or so people was upbeat despite Draper coming up short in the election. She thanked her supporters as she stood with her husband, Anniston Mayor Jack Draper, and two of her daughters, Lily Grace and Harper.

“We fought a good race, we fought hard. I would not be standing right here today without each and everyone of you,” Draper said.

“I appreciate everyone of you, and all that you did,” she said.

“Y’all are all fabulous and have been with me from the beginning,” Draper said.

Draper said she will continue to do good things in the community.

“Who knows what door God’s going to open but he never shuts one without opening an even better door,” Draper said.

Speaking to his crowd at the victory celebration, Kelley characterized the contest as challenging.

“We were up all night and that was not the first time, we’ve had some things thrown our way that there is absolutely no reason it should come your way in a political race,” he said.

“I’ve been accused of a lot of things. Everything that I’ve said has been true and documented and I stand by it,” Kelley said.

Kelley stressed diversity in the groups of people he surrounds himself with to solve problems.

“My entire career, there’s different things I’ve been involved in, whether it be the oil spill or whatever, I’ve always put people with different backgrounds and ideas together and some that are different from my own, you put people together just like you, you only find out what you already know,” he said.

“We’ve been blessed and I’m blessed by each and everyone of you … this is us,” Kelley said.

“I’ll do everything in my power to make you proud and represent you the way you want to be represented,” he said.

Kelley said he credited meeting people one-on-one as a key to his victory.

“When you’re one-on-one people get a feel of who you really are, not what others say you are or what is portrayed,” Kelley said.

Kelley said he plans to run a good steady grassroots campaign up until the general election in November.

“Danny and I know each other, we’ve known each other for a long time, we’ve actually worked together,” he said.

“I look forward to the campaigning and I think Danny and I will have a lot of fun,” Kelley said.

Kelley said he is open to the idea of debating McCullars before the November election.

Democrat Danny McCullars’ reaction

McCullars congratulated Kelley on his victory in the runoff election and said he looks forward to debating Kelley.

“My thoughts and principles will not be affected by Keith’s strategy. Political parties as they were once known are now unrecognizable. A significant factor in my decision to run for State Senate is to help bridge the political divide,” McCullars said.

“I look forward to the upcoming months visiting with District 12 voters and engaging in honest dialogue with each voter. I am committed to representing all voters in District 12 bringing back accountability, transparency, and communication,” McCullars said.