On November 6, 2018 the 2018 Alabama gubernatorial election was held to elect the Governor of Alabama. Incumbent Republican Kay Ivey squared off against Democratic challenger Walter Maddox. Kay Ivey replaced Governor Robert Bentley after he resigned on April 10, 2017. She was running for a full term during this election. Kay achieved that goal and defeated Walter Maddox, who was the mayor of Tuscaloosa. She was sworn in on January 14, 2019.