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Patrick Kennedy is surrounded by his family after winning the Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Republican runoff against Philip Bahakel. (Reporter photo/Keith McCoy)

Patrick Kennedy came out victorious in the Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Republican runoff on Tuesday, July 17, against Philip Bahakel.

With 44 of the 45 precincts reporting, Kennedy amassed 10,755 votes, or 72.48 percent. Bahakel garnered 4,084 votes, or 27.52 percent.

Kennedy will not face Democratic opposition in the November general election.

After the election, Bahakel thanked all of the voters who supported his campaign. He said he will continue to serve the people of Shelby County through his Pelham-based law firm, Philip Bahakel and Associates.

Kennedy opened his own law practice in 2001, a general practice with an emphasis on juvenile law, criminal law, family law and civil law. He has been under contract with Administrative Office of Courts since 2004 to handle juvenile law matter both delinquent and dependency and has worked in several municipal courts in Shelby County to include filling in as a prosecutor on occasion.

Since 2009, he has assisted as guardian ad litem in domestic relations Circuit Court with the “born out of wedlock” “custody in controversy” dockets.

As a circuit court judge, Kennedy said he will uphold the U.S. and Alabama Constitutions and serve with honesty and fairness.

“I have the temperament and knowledge to administer the law in a fair and equitable way,” he said. “The courtroom can be an emotional place, and I believe I have this temperament to which when those emotions come out we can bring them back together and handle the business of the court in a respectful, professional manner.”

Bahakel, who began practicing law in 1981, previously served as a judge in Jefferson County for six years.

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