Republicans padded their majority on the State Board of Education by picking up a seat vacated with the retirement of Democrat Sandra Ray. Garry Warren, an educator at Haleyville High School, eased past his Democratic opponent in Tuesday’s election.

Three incumbents — Republicans Randy McKinney of Orange Beach and Stephanie Bell of Montgomery, along with Democrat Ella Bell of Montgomery — also won re-election.

The nine-member board currently has four Democrats and five Republicans, including Gov. Bob Riley, who serves as its president. It will have six Republicans in the new term.

The board oversees both the K-12 system and the Department of Postsecondary Education.