Here’s where the candidates will be on primary runoff election night
Tuesday is Primary Runoff Election Day in Alabama, where the top two candidates from both major parties who failed to garner 50 plus percent of the vote on primary day, will face off at ballot boxes across the state to see who advances to the November General Election. If you’re hoping to hang out and catch a glimpse of the candidates, here is where you will find them Tuesday night: Lt. Governor’s race Will Ainsworth What: Election Night Rally and Watch Party When: TBA Where: Wintzells Oyster House (14455 US-431 Guntersville, AL 35976) Twinkle Cavanaugh What: Election Night Watch Party When: TBA Where: The Renaissance Hotel (201 Tallapoosa St., Montgomery, AL 36104) Attorney General’s race Troy King What: Election Night Watch Party When: TBA Where: The Renaissance Hotel (201 Tallapoosa St., Montgomery, AL 36104) Steve Marshall What: Steve Marshall for Attorney Election Night Watch Party When: 7:00 p.m. Where: Moe’s Original Bar B Que (1051 E Fairview Ave. Montgomery, AL 36106) Alabama Supreme Court: Associate Justice, Place 1 Brad Mendheim TBA Sarah Stewart TBA Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate TBA Gerald Dial TBA Court of Civil Appeals, Place 1 Christy Edwards TBA Michelle Thomason TBA Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2 Rich Anderson TBA Chris McCool TBA *This story will be updated as candidates release their election day schedules.
Kay Ivey announces leadership changes to Alabama Workforce Council
The Alabama Workforce Council (AWC) — comprised of business executives from some of the most important industries and organizations in the state of Alabama with the goal of facilitating collaboration between government and industry to help Alabama develop a sustainable, top-notch workforce that is competitive on a global scale — is seeing a transition of leadership. Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday made the announcement and issued a commendation thanking outgoing Chairman Zeke Smith for his service. “The Alabama Workforce Council seeks to analyze and understand issues that will help build a stronger, more sustainable workforce, thereby improving the lives of Alabama’s workers and their families by creating new employment opportunities in our state,” Ivey said. “Zeke Smith has been an integral part of that process as Chairman of the Alabama Workforce Council. His leadership has benefited employees and employers alike, as well as economy in our state, and I congratulate him on completing an outstanding term of service on the Alabama Workforce Council.” Smith, Executive Vice President of Alabama Power, has served as Chairman of the AWC since its 2014 inception. “I am thankful for the opportunity to work with this special group of leaders who are represented on the Alabama Workforce Council,” said Smith. “There are too many to call by name, but I hope that you know how much I appreciate each of you. Together we have made tremendous strides in raising awareness of state workforce needs and have taken action to create opportunities for those looking to build a career in Alabama.” New leadership Ivey also welcomed incoming Chairman Tim McCartney, formerly of McCartney Construction. McCartney will be joined in leadership Vice Chairwoman Sandra Koblas with Austal USA. Ivey challenged the AWC to focus on implementing the Success Plus plan – one part of her Strong Start, Strong Finish education initiative. The plan was developed by a committee of the AWC to address Alabama’s increasing need for workers with certificates, credentials, or degrees in addition to a high school diploma. “I share the vision of the governor and believe that the Success Plus plan provides us a blueprint as a Council moving forward,” McCartney said. “I would like to ask each committee to adopt one of five priorities identified in the Success Plus plan as their committee focus moving forward.” The AWC at work Over the past four years, recommendations made by the AWC have resulted in the realignment of the state’s workforce structure, increased productivity of the regional workforce development councils, encouraged collaboration between the education and business communities, helped grow the number of career coaches in the state’s public high schools, developed a statewide AlabamaWorks! workforce brand, and established a statewide educational attainment goal.
Priority 1 for next session: Beef up open records laws
I have been long-railing against the insanity that is Alabama’s public records laws, or the way executive offices — specifically the Governor’s office, and more recently the Department of Transportation — and as Kyle Whitmire wrote about today, the Attorney General’s office also likes to hide documents, ignore requests and duck the law that allows residents to see what’s really happening behind closed doors. Enough is enough folks. Any elected official who’s office hides what should be accessible information and cherry picks who gets it, and when, needs to face consequences. Any staffer working within the government that obstructs requests — here’s looking at you Daniel Sparkman and Josh Pendergrass in Gov. Kay Ivey‘s press shop — needs to be fired on the spot. This is ridiculous. We as residents of the state, taxpayers, voters, yes and even in the press are responsible for holding our elected officials and those working for them accountable. We have every right to see what’s going on behind closed doors when it comes to state government and if you’re in impeding our ability to do so you need to go. Moreover there should be criminal sanctions for those who take pride and pleasure in obstructing transparency. It’s infuriating that there is no recourse when, either as individuals or as media, we are lied to, documents are withheld, or information is given by the discretion of others. We have to globally, across the state, raise our voices and do more. Demand better. When the Legislature comes back they are going to tackle ethics reform and a substantial part of that needs to include actual ramifications for public employees who hide information, for departments who don’t comply in a timely manner, or with full information on records requests. For our appointed and elected officials and those who work for them, transparency is a cornerstone of our democracy. Without it we cannot hold government officials accountable. Information doesn’t belong behind closed doors, shrouded in secrecy. Every single person in the state, regardless of your political party or position on issues, every single Alabamian should reach out to their state representatives, their state senators, the Governor and the Attorney General and tell them that we won’t take stonewalling in producing public information. Here’s a link to contact the Governor’s office , you can also tweet to her and her campaign and the attorney general. There’s an election right around the corner and not a single soul should be elected or reelected without promising to give Alabama’s open record law teeth and to hold their staff and appointees accountable when they don’t.
Donald Trump heads to Europe, says Vladimir Putin ‘easiest’ of his meetings
President Donald Trump launched a weeklong Europe trip Tuesday with harsh criticism for NATO allies and predicted the “easiest” leg of his journey would be his scheduled sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As he departed the White House for a four-nation European tour, Trump did little to reassure allies fretting over the risk of damage he could do to the 69-year-old trans-Atlantic mutual defense pact and his potential embrace of Putin during a summit in Helsinki. Trump said Tuesday he “can’t say right now” if Putin is a friend or foe, but called him a “competitor.” The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to boost Trump’s candidacy, and warns of further attempts at interference both in the 2018 midterms and in European elections. Speaking to reporters before leaving Washington for Brussels, where he is to attend the NATO summit, Trump criticized the pact, saying, “Frankly it helps them a lot more than it helps us.” Trump has been pressing NATO countries to fulfill their goal of spending 2 percent of their gross domestic products on defense by 2024. During his presidential campaign, he suggested he might only come to the defense of NATO nations that fulfilled their obligation. He continues to criticize NATO countries for not paying their fair share. From Belgium, Trump’s trip will also take him to London, where Prime Minister Theresa May’s government is in turmoil over her plans for exiting the European Union. European Council President Donald Tusk said on Tuesday in a message to Trump that “it is always worth knowing who is your strategic friend and who is your strategic problem.” Tusk recalled that the Europeans are spending more than Russia and as much as China on defense. NATO estimates that 15 members, or just over half, will meet the benchmark by 2024 based on current trends. “Getting ready to leave for Europe. First meeting — NATO. The U.S. is spending many times more than any other country in order to protect them,” Trump tweeted Tuesday morning, adding: “Not fair to the U.S. taxpayer. On top of that we lose $151 Billion on Trade with the European Union. Charge us big Tariffs (& Barriers)!” On Monday he’d tweeted the situation was “not fair, nor is it acceptable,” and insisted that NATO benefits Europe “far more than it does the U.S.” He added: “NATO countries must pay MORE, the United States must pay LESS. Very Unfair!” Trump, who has compared the sentiment that underpinned the Brexit vote to leave the EU to his own election, will be making his maiden presidential trip to Britain at a fraught time for May. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis resigned within hours of each other in protest of her plan. Trump said might meet with Johnson in the UK despite his resignation. Trump’s visit is expected to attract large protests in London and elsewhere in Britain. Trump’s weeklong trip to Europe will continue with a stop in Scotland before ending with a sit-down in Helsinki with Putin. He said that of the high-stakes meetings of his trip, “Putin may be the easiest of them all.” “I think that getting along with Russia, getting along with China, getting along with others is a good thing, not a bad thing,” he added. The meeting will be closely watched to see whether Trump will rebuke or embrace Putin, who has repeatedly denied the allegations of election meddling, in spite of evidence to the contrary. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh considers outlawing leaving pets in cars
After several reports of animal cruelty rattling the state last week — including a Trussville, Ala. woman whose dog died after being left in her car for nearly eight hours — Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh announced he will be looking into filing legislation to change the Yellowhammer State’s laws on leaving animals in an unattended vehicle. “I am looking into having legislation drafted to prohibit people from leaving animals unattended in their vehicles,” Marsh posted on Facebook. “The recent incident of a person leaving a dog in the car for seven hours should have never happened.” Although the Trussville woman was ultimately charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, there is no specific legislation outlawing leaving your animal in a vehicle. Current Alabama laws do not offer protection for those who would seek to release animals left in cars by breaking a window, or breaking into the vehicle. Marsh wants to change that. “A child can’t fend for themselves in a situation like that, nor can a dog or cat,” Marsh told AL.com. “It would basically say you cannot leave an animal unattended under those circumstances.”‘ Alabama might be on the cusp of a major animal rights shift. Friday, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society(GBHS) called for legislative action against puppy mills in the state following a puppy mill bust in Trussville. GBHS CEO Allison Black Cornelius took to Facebook, to plead with voters and local legislators to file legislation in the next session to protect animals within the state. “It has been a very sad week for animals in our community with the passing of a dog left in a car in extreme heat and a puppy mill bust,” the group posted on Facebook. “GBHS Chief Executive Officer, Allison Black Cornelius, urges citizens to remember these two cases when the next legislative session begins and offer your support to promote legislation that protects animals in our state.” Several legislative attempts have been made to change the laws regarding both puppy mills and animal deaths in cars, but to no avail. Tuscaloosa-Democratic Rep. Chris England sponsored a bill in the 2017 legislative session that would have allowed a “good samaritan” to break a car window without fear of punishment, but it was proposed too late.
Kay Ivey holds fundraising lead over opponent Walt Maddox
Incumbent, Republican Governor Kay Ivey is holding a steady financial lead over her gubernatorial opponent, Tuscaloosa Mayor, Democrat Walt Maddox. According to campaign finance reports filed last week, Maddox has $222,442 in cash on hand after receiving numerous donations from a plethora of individuals. Meanwhile, Ivey’s report revealed she has $458,674 in cash on hand. Although the difference seems significant, Ivey has spent a total of $4.2 million over the course of her campaign compared to Maddox’s spending of less than $1 million. Although she also received a fair amount individual donations, Ivey collected several large donations including $100,000 from YellaWood CEO Jimmy Rane, $10,000 from the Mainstream Political Action Committee, and another $10,000 from BizPAC. Maddox garnered $39,000 from PAC’s run by Tuscaloosa accountant Michael Echols. Campaigning vs the status quo Aside from the fundraising figures, there’s also a huge difference in campaign strategy between the two candidates. While Maddox is hitting the campaign trail hard, attending events and meeting with voters across the state, Ivey is sticking to the task at hand: maintaining her office. Essentially, the Governor’s office is Ivey’s to lose and she knows it. While she did have a few busy weeks after the primary — when contacted U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and several members of the Alabama congressional delegation expressing her concerns on the Trump administrations tariffs — Ivey has by and large tried to avoid the media.
Doug Jones introduces bill to open civil rights cold case files, written by HS students
Alabama U.S. Sen. Doug Jones introduced a bill on Tuesday that would mandate the release of government records related to unsolved civil rights cases — a bill written by a group of high school students. Jones worked with a group of students from Hightstown High School in Hightstown, N.J., and their civics and government teacher, Stuart Wexler in drafting and introducing the bill the students first envisioned in their Advanced Placement U.S. Government classroom. Jones says the legislation is necessary because the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as implemented, has prevented the timely and adequate disclosure of executive branch records, and congressional records are not subject to public disclosure under FOIA. FOIA documents are also notoriously redacted beyond practical use. The bill, the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018, if passed, remedies this problem by requiring the National Archives and Records Administration to create a collection of government documents related to civil rights cold cases and to make those documents available to the public. For Jones, the issue is personal Prior to his time in the Senate, Jones, a former prosecutor, is best known for prosecuting Ku Klux Klansmen responsible for killing four black girls in the 1963 bombing of the 1963 Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham as a U.S. attorney. “Having prosecuted two civil rights cold cases in Alabama, I know firsthand the importance of having every available piece of information at your disposal,” Jones said. “This bill will ensure public access to records relating to these cases and will expand the universe of people who can help investigate these crimes, including journalists, historians, private investigators, local law enforcement, and others.” Jones continued, “We might not solve every one of these cold cases, but my hope is that this legislation will help us find some long-overdue healing and understanding of the truth in the more than 100 unsolved civil rights criminal cases that exist today.” In 2007, Jones testified to the House Judiciary Committee in support of the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Act that established a special initiative in the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate civil rights cold cases. He spoke about the difficulty of prosecuting these cases so many years after the crimes were committed and pointed to the importance of sharing information in order to find the truth. Jones is not the only one who believes in the importance of his bill. Hank Klibanoff, Director, Georgia Civil Rights Cold Cases Project at Emory University, says if passed it would “have on thousands of families.” “It is hard to overstate the positive impact that Sen. Doug Jones’s proposed Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act would have on thousands of families who, 40 to 60 years later, have no idea how a father, grandfather, aunt or brother came to a violent death in the modern civil rights era,” said Klibanoff. “As a journalist and historian who relies on government-held records in these civil rights cold cases, it’s important to know that our purposes are simple: To learn the truth, to seek justice where there may be a living perpetrator, to tell the untold stories, and to bring closure to families of victims, and find opportunities for racial reconciliation.” The details The Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 will: Require the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to establish a collection of cold case records about unsolved criminal civil rights cases that government offices must publicly disclose in the collection without redaction or withholding. Establish a Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board as an independent agency of impartial private citizens to facilitate the review, transmission to NARA, and public disclosure of government records related to such cases. Read a detailed overview of the legislation here. Watch Jones testify before the House Judiciary Committee in 2007:
Alice Martin endorses Will Ainsworth citing Twinkle Cavanaugh’s ‘deceptive’ ad
Former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and a former Chief Deputy Attorney General of Alabama Alice Martin has thrown her support behind Guntersville-Republican, State Rep. Will Ainsworth in his bid to be Alabama’s next Lt. Governor. Martin made the announcement on Tuesday citing the “disappointing and deceptive” campaign ad of his opponent, Twinkle Cavanaugh, among the reasons for her decision. “I don’t make this endorsement lightly, and am compelled due to the very disappointing and deceptive ad by his opponent,” Martin said. “To say Rep. Ainsworth was criminally charged and ‘didn’t serve a day in jail’ infers he was prosecuted when in fact the charge was dropped!” “It was a college prank now used as a professional smear,” she continued. “This poor judgement doesn’t make his opponent shine to me. Please remember to vote next Tuesday!” Martin referenced a Cavanaugh campaign ad, which claims Ainsworth used insider influence to escape prosecution for felony theft charges but offers scant detail. In reality, the ad refers to a college prank that occurred roughly 20 years ago when Ainsworth and classmates “kidnapped” fiberglass tigers that the Auburn Chamber of Commerce had placed around the downtown area. Recognizing the harmless nature of the stunt, the Auburn Chamber agreed those involved would pay a small fine and work with Habitat for Humanity as punishment for the college prank. Cavanaugh’s ad also claims Ainsworth was arrested in Jackson County when he was still in college, but the claim is false. Ainsworth was actually ticketed for having an expired boat registration on a lake. Martin’s full Facebook post reads: Happy to share time with friends in Alabama Forestry Association last evening in Florence. With the runoff primary in one week I want to announce my endorsement of Will Ainsworth for Lt. Gov. Why? Because this is a critical race and Alabama needs an outside conservative who has the courage to stand up to special interest and take actions that are best for the state and her citizens. I don’t make this endorsement lightly, and am compelled due to the very disappointing and deceptive ad by his opponent. To say Rep. Ainsworth was criminally charged and “didn’t serve a day in jail” infers he was prosecuted when in fact the charge was dropped! It was a collage prank now used as a professional smear. This poor judgment doesn’t make his opponent shine to me. Please remember to vote next Tuesday! Alabama needs change!!
DC BLOX building ‘flagship’ data center in Birmingham
Atlanta-based DC BLOX said today it is building a data center on the former Trinity Steel site in downtown Birmingham, creating 20 jobs initially with the potential to grow up to $785 million in capital investment and add jobs over the next decade. “The significant investment being made by DC BLOX to open this data center in Birmingham will not only create high-paying jobs, but also bring an exciting new chapter to a neighborhood in the city with a long industrial history,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said. “We’re committed to positioning Alabama for a technology-focused future and look forward to working with the company to accelerate that process.” The 31,000-square-foot first phase of the multi-tenant Birmingham data center joins others DC BLOX has built or announced in Huntsville, Atlanta and Chattanooga. DC BLOX plans to break ground in August and have a facility configurable up to 5 megawatts (MW) of customer capacity by early 2019. As customers are added, the facility can grow up to 200,000 square feet and 80 MW. Plans are for the facility to have 13,000 square feet of office space with conference rooms, staging areas and work stations. “The Birmingham data center campus will unquestionably be our flagship property, capable of scaling to over 200,000 square feet of secure, government-grade data center space,” said DC BLOX CEO Jeff Uphues. “We believe this site will be a highly compelling alternative in the Southeast to Atlanta for enterprise, hyperscale cloud, software-as-a-service, government, network and content providers. It’s our focus to create a multi-purpose innovation campus with collaborative workspaces worthy of housing global technology companies and academia dedicated to research and collaboration.” DC BLOX has been scouting sites in Birmingham for nearly a year. “DC BLOX wanted to be in Birmingham because of its strong local economy, geographic location, fiber optic network connectivity and the University of Alabama at Birmingham,” said Mark Masi, COO of DC BLOX. “We are thankful to the city of Birmingham, Jefferson County and the state of Alabama for collaborating with DC BLOX on this project.” During the construction and operational phase, the project is expected to have an economic impact of $94 million on the Birmingham metropolitan area, more than $80 million of which will be in Jefferson County, according to an analysis prepared by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Culverhouse College of Business at the University of Alabama. The Birmingham Business Alliance commissioned the analysis. Economic impact on the state is estimated to be $99 million. “Because data centers represent the backbone of the technology infrastructure, we see strategic benefits for Alabama to host state-of-the-art centers that keep the world connected,” said Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield. “DC BLOX is joining an impressive roster of technology companies selecting Alabama for their data centers, and we want to see that list grow.” Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington predicted DC BLOX’s data center will attract future business. “DC BLOX will be a tremendous asset to the existing companies throughout Jefferson County and a tool to attract new companies here,” Carrington said. “This takes Birmingham’s thriving innovation ecosystem beyond its usual physical boundaries of the city center and extends it into an area that will only strengthen our core.” The new DC BLOX data center brings new life to the former Trinity Steel property, which county and city officials have long sought to bring back to productive use. “The city of Birmingham was proud to work with DC BLOX to bring this significant data center project to Birmingham,” said Mayor Randall Woodfin. “In addition to utilizing a long-vacant property in our city and transforming the surrounding neighborhood, this will serve as the company’s flagship data center and a tool to attract further business to the area.” The team luring DC BLOX to the site included the Alabama Department of Commerce, Jefferson County Commission, Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority, the city of Birmingham and its Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity, Titusville Neighborhood Association, Birmingham Industrial Development Board, Alabama Power, Spire, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and the Birmingham Business Alliance. “The $785 million investment over the next 10 years to build this data center technology campus represents the single largest project investment in Jefferson County in many years,” said Lee Smith, East Region CEO for BBVA Compass and 2018 chairman of the Birmingham Business Alliance. “DC BLOX recognizes the importance of Birmingham’s innovation and technology economy, and they share our vision that having a location near downtown will optimize the company’s growth opportunities. As with any successful economic development project, a great team worked together with the company to ensure its needs are met and that the project is mutually beneficial to the company, community and state.” Republished with the permission of the Alabama Newscenter.
Personnel note: UAH President Robert Altenkirch announces retirement
Robert Altenkirch, president of The University of Alabama in Huntsville announced his retirement on Monday. Altenkirch sent a memo making the announcement to faculty, staff, and students. “It is an honor, a privilege, and a pleasure to serve as President of The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and I look forward to us continuing on our trajectory of progress this coming academic year,” Altenkirch wrote. In the memo, the 70 year old who’s in his seventh year at UAH, detailed he will remain in position during the 2018-2019 academic year until his successor is chosen. Altenkirch has served as the president of UAH since September 2011. Prior to that, he was president of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said he appreciates all of Altenkirch’s hard work. “President Altenkirch’s success at UAH is clear to see. The City of Huntsville is appreciative of all his hard work on behalf of UAH to achieve record setting results that have had a direct impact on the lives of students and the economy of the Rocket City,” Battle said. “Bob has been a great partner to Huntsville and the entire North Alabama region, and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Donald Trump picks Brett Kavanaugh for court, setting up fight with Democrats
President Donald Trump chose Brett Kavanaugh, a solidly conservative, politically connected judge, for the Supreme Court Monday night, setting up a ferocious confirmation battle with Democrats as he seeks to shift the nation’s highest court ever further to the right. A favorite of the Republican legal establishment in Washington, Kavanaugh, 53, is a former law clerk for retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. Like Trump’s first nominee last year, Justice Neil Gorsuch, Kavanaugh would be a young addition who could help remake the court for decades to come with rulings that could restrict abortion, expand gun rights and roll back key parts of Obamacare. “He is a brilliant jurist, with a clear and effective writing style, universally regarded as one of the finest and sharpest legal minds of our time,” Trump said in his prime-time televised White House announcement. He added: “There is no one in America more qualified for this position, and no one more deserving.” With Kavanaugh, Trump is replacing a swing vote on the nine-member court with a staunch conservative. Kavanaugh, who serves on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, is expected to be less receptive to abortion and gay rights than Kennedy was. He also has taken an expansive view of executive power and has favored limits on investigating the president. Speaking at the White House, Kavanaugh pledged to preserve the Constitution and said that “a judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law. A judge must interpret the Constitution as written.” A senior White House official said Trump made his final decision on the nomination Sunday evening, then phoned Kavanaugh to inform him. The official said Trump decided on Kavanaugh because of his large body of jurisprudence cited by other courts, describing him as a judge that other judges read. On Monday, Trump phoned retiring Justice Kennedy to inform him that his former law clerk would be nominated to fill his seat. Trump signed Kavanaugh’s nomination papers Monday evening in the White House residence. Top contenders had included federal appeals judges Raymond Kethledge, Amy Coney Barrett and Thomas Hardiman. Some conservatives have expressed concerns about Kavanaugh, questioning his commitment to social issues like abortion and noting his time serving under President George W. Bush as evidence he is a more establishment choice. But his supporters have cited his experience and wide range of legal opinions. With Democrats determined to vigorously oppose Trump’s choice, the Senate confirmation battle is expected to dominate the months leading up to November’s midterm elections. Senate Republicans hold only a 51-49 majority, leaving them hardly any margin if Democrats hold the line. Democratic senators running for re-election in states Trump carried in 2016 will face pressure to back his nominee. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called Kavanaugh “a superb choice” and said senators would start meeting with him this week. Some Republican senators had favored other options. Rand Paul of Kentucky had expressed concerns but tweeted that he looked forward to meeting with Kavanaugh “with an open mind.” Democrats and liberal advocacy groups quickly lined up in opposition. Signaling the fight ahead on abortion rights, Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement: “There’s no way to sugarcoat it: With this nomination, the constitutional right to access safe, legal abortion in this country is on the line. The White House invited a number of senators to attend the Monday night announcement. Democrats who were invited but declined included Sens. Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Doug Jones of Alabama, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Dianne Feinstein of California. Feinstein is the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. The others are Republican targets for the confirmation vote who come from Trump-won states where they face re-election this fall. Democrats have turned their attention to pressuring two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, to oppose any nominee who threatens Roe v. Wade. The two have supported access to abortion services. Kavanaugh is likely to be more conservative than Justice Kennedy on a range of social issues. At the top of that list is abortion. A more conservative majority could be more willing to uphold state restrictions on abortion, if not overturn the 45-year-old landmark Roe v. Wade decision that established a woman’s constitutional right. Kennedy’s replacement also could be more willing to allow states to carry out executions and could support undoing earlier court holdings in the areas of racial discrimination in housing and the workplace. Kennedy provided a decisive vote in 2015 on an important fair housing case. Like the other eight justices on the court, Kavanaugh has an Ivy League law degree, spending his undergraduate and law school years at Yale. Since 2006, he has been a judge on the federal appeals court in Washington. He also was a key aide to Kenneth Starr during Starr’s investigation of President Bill Clinton, worked on behalf of George W. Bush’s campaign during the election recount in 2000 and served in the Bush White House. Kavanaugh’s many written opinions provide insight into his thinking and also will be fodder for Senate Democrats who will seek to block his confirmation. He has written roughly 300 opinions as a judge, authored several law journal articles, regularly taught law school classes and spoken frequently in public. Kavanaugh’s views on presidential power and abortion are expected to draw particular attention in his confirmation hearing. Drawing on his experience working on the Clinton investigation and then in the Bush White House, he wrote in a 2009 law review article that he favored exempting presidents from facing both civil suits and criminal investigations, including indictment, while in office. That view has particular relevance as special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and whether the Trump campaign played any role in a foreign interference plot. On abortion, Kavanaugh voted in October to delay an abortion for a teenage immigrant who was in government
