Richard Shelby will return to the United States Senate for a sixth term.

Shelby, a Republican first elected to the Senate in 1986, is the projected winner in his race against Democrat challenger Ron Crumpton.

With about 91 percent of precincts reporting, Shelby held about 64 percent of the vote to Crumpton’s 36 percent.

“I want to thank the people of Alabama for once again placing their trust in me to serve as their U.S. Senator,” Shelby said in a release. “This responsibility is one that I do not take lightly and I am honored by the support I received tonight.

“As we work together to advance conservative principles, my focus will be on policies that prioritize Alabamians and all Americans – not Washington. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to stand up on behalf of our great state and work towards a prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.”

Voters in Shelby County were even more supportive of Shelby, who unofficially received 66,832 votes (74.9 percent) to Crumpton’s 22,191 votes (25 percent) with 45 of 49 precincts reporting.

Shelby serves as chairman of the Senate’s Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Shelby’s platform included a belief that a smaller government is more effective and opposition to government bailouts.

Shelby has supported Second Amendment rights and has introduced a flat tax in every Congress since his election to the U.S. Senate, as well as a Balanced Budget amendment to the Constitution.

Prior to his election in the United States Senate, Shelby served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and eight years in the Alabama Legislature.

Shelby is a graduate of University of Alabama’s undergraduate and law programs.