Garlan Gudger unseated incumbent Sen. Paul Bussman for the Senate District 4 seat with a strong showing in Cullman County.

Gudger claimed more than 64 percent of the votes in Cullman County with 10,485 to Bussman’s 5,739 or 35 percent.

The district, however, covers portions of Lawrence, Winston and Marion counties where numbers varied. Gudger claimed the Lawrence County seat of Moulton but Bussman had nearly 59 percent countywide. Gudger led Winston and Marion counties on the way to victory.

A business owner and president of the Cullman City Council, Gudger entered the race of the last day of qualifying and campaigned for strengthening rural Alabama.

“I’ve kept the issue of rural Alabama out front in this campaign, working to improve broadband and looking at the efforts that can help these areas have more in the economy,” Gudger said.

Looking forward, Gudger said he will be discussing the mental health crisis and teachers’ pay and retirement among other issues facing the district and state.

“Right now, I’m going to get back together with my family and regroup. Today would have my father’s and mother’s anniversary, but I know he’s looking down on us now,” Gudger said.

His father, Garlan Gudger Sr., died in May.

“We’ve had a great effort and I want to thank everyone who went out and worked in this campaign,” Gudger said. “Each county in District 4 has some issues that are different and I will be taking time to spend more time with everyone and look at the resources available and what we need to do.”

As City Council president, Gudger has been in a leadership role as Cullman has enjoyed business growth for many years. The other four council members will choose someone to fill his spot and appoint a new president.

“I will be there until the other council members decide what they want to do up until around the General Election,” Gudger said.

Bussman, a dentist and business owner as well, was elected twice to serve in the Senate.

Often during his tenure he called for more accountable practices in state government. He also held numerous leadership roles in the community leading up to his election in the Senate when he unseated Zeb Little nearly eight years ago.

Bussman could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

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David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 116.