John Merrill: The people of Alabama need an Ethics Commission that will enforce the laws
I am disappointed to find myself, once again, in a position to ask what purpose the Alabama Ethics Commission serves to the people of this state. To whom are the elected officials or those seeking public office to look to for ethical political leadership? The people of Alabama need an Ethics Commission that will enforce the laws and regulations it is charged with enforcing, with consistency. When campaigns file their fundraising disclosures with the Secretary of State’s office, they are required to file on a given date no later than 11:59 p.m. When candidates and political action committees (PACs) fail to file these reports in a timely manner, the law requires the Secretary of State’s Office to issue a civil penalty based on the amount of contributions and expenditures from that reporting period. In the event that a candidate or PAC wishes to appeal the penalty, the Secretary of State’s office is required to send those requests to the Alabama Ethics Commission, allowing members of the Commission to determine whether the penalty should be upheld or not. At three previous Ethics Commission meetings, in February, April and June of 2018, the commission waived fines on 12 appeals that were filed outside the 14-day window allowed by law. However, during the Commission’s meeting on Sept. 5, they declined to hear cases filed outside the 14-day window, saying they didn’t have jurisdiction and declining to rule on whether that penalty would stand — despite having previously done so previously 12 times in 2018. It the position of the Secretary of State’s Office that these specific matters were improperly set aside and should be reinstated by the Commission. And, in spite of a request from counsel for the Ethics Commission, the Secretary of State’s Office will continue to adhere to the requirements of state law which clearly establishes the Commission as the sole body with authority to overturn a penalty issued for a campaign or political action committee filing a financial disclosure form after the due date. Previously, Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Albritton stated, “the commissioners reviewed those files and discussed them in detail before our meeting. So they reviewed every one of them as they have for every meeting.” If that is true, then why have they just now become aware of these appeal date issues? Each appeal delivered to the Alabama Ethics Commission is delivered as a file which includes each file that was not timely filed and a copy of the date the appeal was filed. The Code of Alabama directs the Secretary of State’s Office to work in conjunction with the Alabama Ethics Commission to administer the Fair Campaign Practices Act. Therefore, without communication and cooperation between our agencies, as well as the commission’s consistent application of the laws and rules established by the legislature, the FCPA does not work. ••• John Merrill is the Secretary of State of Alabama, a position which he has held since 2015. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Mike Hubbard continues to appeal ethics conviction
Former Alabama Speaker Mike Hubbard is asking an appellate court to reverse its decision upholding his 2016 ethics conviction. The rehearing request was filed Monday with the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Under Alabama appellate rules a person must seek a rehearing before appealing upward to the Alabama Supreme Court. The Court of Criminal Appeals court last month affirmed 11 of the 12 counts against Hubbard. The court ruled there was sufficient evidence to convict Hubbard on the counts, including that he improperly asked lobbyists and company executives for work and investments in his printing business. However, judges’ ruling also chided legislators over what they described as ambiguities in the law and urged them to make clarifications. Hubbard is free on bond as he appeals his conviction. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Jim Zeigler ready to champion updates to public record laws after continued ALDOT inaction
It’s a very familiar story on Alabama Today — another week has passed and still, the Alabama State Auditor has yet to receive a response from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Transportation Director John Cooper and ALDOT Chief Counsel William Patty regarding further information about an $87 million state-funded bridge project in Baldwin County. Now, State Auditor Jim Zeigler has grown impatient with the lack of answers and tells Alabama Today he is ready to champion updating the state’s public record laws, which have left him at a loss for how to proceed. ALDOT’s history of inaction It all began in April, when Zeigler made a request for public documents. At the time, he requested the following documents from the ALDOT: Copies of any and all studies that demonstrated a need for a bridge over the Intercoastal waterway Any and all documents that show a change in the need for the Intercoastal bridge since the determination in 2016 that the bridge was unnecessary Any and all analyses to support spending $30-$87 million in state funds in light of the pressing infrastructure needs throughout the state Any and all documents that resulted in the range of costs projected ($30 to $87 million) Documents that show cost overruns on current and recent ALDOT projects According to the court filing from the bridge company, they agreed to widen their bridge at no additional cost to Please provide any and all documents that address why the option of widening the original bridge is not being utilized. But after three months, the State Auditor, who filed the request as an everyday Alabama citizen, had not received any update from the ALDOT, so he filed a second follow-up request July 12, 2018 giving ALDOT’s Cooper and Patty a deadline to respond: August 17. Now, nearly a full month past the deadline, Zeigler facing a dilemma many Alabamians truth-seekers face: what’s he supposed to do next? With no clear answers written in law, Zeigler’s taken the next logical step on his fact-finding mission: write a letter to the Legislative Services Agency at the Alabama State House in hopes that they will provide him with the necessary information of what the legal next step he can take is. “In looking over the applicable law, I could not find any legal deadline for compliance by an agency of official. Also, I am uncertain about the remedy a citizen would have for non-compliance,” Zeigler wrote in his letter addressed specifically to Othni Lathram, the director of the Legislative Services Agency. An unworkable law Frustrated by the entire situation, Zeigler is ready to champion updating the state’s public record laws, which he calls “unworkable”. “This has been frustrating. To have a public records law that lacks any deadline is unworkable and unacceptable,” Zeigler told Alabama Today. “I am considering taking the lead for a bill in the March 2019 regular legislative session that would add a deadline for providing public records and specific remedies when agencies do not comply.” “If I as an elected state official cannot obtain public records, imagine the normal citizen,” Zeigler added. Zeigler asked Lathram two questions: What is the legal deadline for compliance with a proper request for public documents? What are the remedies available to the requester in the event of failure to provide? Zeigler’s not alone Zeigler’s not alone in running into issues trying to get public information from state officials. In May, AL.com‘s Kyle Whitmire ran into problems when requesting information from Attorney General Steve Marshall‘s office. He was told his request was not public information. Alabama Today has repeatedly faced similar issues when reaching out to ALDOT ourselves. We first reached out to Tony Harris, spokesman for ALDOT, on May 18 with our own questions about the bridge project. He called back that afternoon and promised a response the following week. Flash-forward to May 25 then again June 12, more empty promises of information that never came. Finally on Aug. 24, after previously asking Alabama Today to avoid submitting an official public records request, he tells us that is what we have to do if we want the information. That there are issues being held up in the courts (by the way, they’ve all been resolved) and he’s unable to answer otherwise. Read Zeigler’s full letter to Lathram below:
Alabama delegation throws support behind Port of Mobile improvements
The Port of Mobile is Alabama’s only deep-water port. It moves around 54 million tons of cargo per year — a volume that consistently ranks the port within the top dozen or so ports in the nation. On Monday, the Alabama congressional delegation, as part of a bipartisan and bicameral effort, endorsed the modernization of the port’s navigation channel. U.S. Senator Richard Shelby led the delegation letter. In addition to Shelby, the letter was signed by the entirety of the Alabama delegation: U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Ala.), as well as U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt, Mike Rogers, Mo Brooks, Martha Roby, Terri Sewell, Bradley Byrne and Gary Palmer. The Alabama lawmakers submitted comments to the Mobile District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in support of the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) identified in the Draft Mobile Harbor, Mobile, Ala. Integrated General Reevaluation Report (GRR) with Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). Due to increased vessel size and channel transit inefficiencies issues, the federal Mobile Harbor Channel is currently undergoing a GRR by the Corps to deepen and widen its navigation channel. The TSP identified in the Draft GRR/SEIS recommends deepening the existing channels by 5 feet, incorporating bend easings in the Bar Channel, widening the Bay Channel from 400 feet to 500 feet for 3 nautical miles, and expanding the Choctaw Pass Turning Basin to better accommodate the safe turning of large vessels. The GRR is currently on schedule to conclude in November 2019. The letter reads in part, “Modernizing the capabilities of one of the nation’s largest seaports will spur exponential economic investment by allowing larger ships and more goods to be shipped and sold, facilitating and expanding commerce. We believe that the TSP accomplishes these goals in a manner that is economically and environmentally responsible, and encourage the Corps to move forward to attain the Agency Decision Milestone and to expeditiously deepen and widen the federal channel.” “The deepening and widening of the Port of Mobile will provide economic development opportunities throughout the entire state of Alabama,” said Shelby. “This project will create an avenue for exponential growth by facilitating and expanding commerce in the state. I look forward to continuing our work with the Corps as we strive to improve the safety and efficiency of the Port in an increasingly global marketplace.” “Alabama is a trade state and the modernization of the Port of Mobile is key to our economic future,” said Jones. “I’m proud to join Senator Shelby and my colleagues in fighting for Alabama farmers and businesses and supporting their efforts to secure new opportunities brought by a wider, deeper port. This is an important step forward in our efforts to maximize the competitive advantage of Alabama’s farmers, shippers, and manufacturers.” “While the Port of Mobile might seem like a long way from the 4th Congressional District in North Alabama, it is vitally important to the area I serve. Two large rivers in the 4th District, the Coosa and the Black Warrior, both flow into Mobile Bay, making the bay and these two rivers critically important for the economy of my district and our entire state,” said Aderholt. “I support the Port of Mobile and was pleased to sign on to Senator Shelby’s letter to the Army Corps. In my congressional district, both the agriculture and automobile industries will greatly benefit from the modernization,” said Rogers. “I appreciate Senator Shelby’s leadership on this important issue, and am always pleased to work with the Alabama delegation,” said Brooks. “As the 10th largest seaport in the United States, the Port of Mobile is a huge economic driver for our state, and I fully support efforts to modernize and improve the capabilities of this vital port.” “The Port of Mobile is vitally important to economic growth throughout the State of Alabama and the surrounding region,” said Roby. “I am pleased to support this effort to make more resources available as we work to expand the capabilities of this seaport. I am proud to work alongside Senator Shelby and the rest of Alabama’s congressional delegation to invest in and support our growing economy and its future needs.” “Investments in Alabama’s trade infrastructure give our state a competitive advantage in today’s global marketplace,” added Sewell. “I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to invest in infrastructure projects that bring better jobs and better wages to our state. The Port of Mobile is an economic engine in Alabama, and the plan drafted by the Army Corps of Engineers would modernize its facilities, expand commerce, and secure our port’s future.” “The Port of Mobile is critical to Southwest Alabama, but it plays just as important a role throughout the rest of our state. The deepening and widening project will greatly expand the capabilities at the Port and the overall economic potential – meaning a win for all of us. I appreciate the work Senator Shelby and our Alabama delegation has put in to move the project forward, and I will continue working with stakeholders at all levels to ensure the project remains on track,” said Byrne. “I have long supported the expansion of the Port of Mobile and think transportation will be greatly improved as a result of it,” said Palmer. The full text of the letter is as follows: Dear Colonel Joly, We write to offer our comments in support of the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) identified in the Draft Mobile Harbor, Mobile, Alabama Integrated General Reevaluation Report with Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. The Port of Mobile (Port), operated by the Alabama State Port Authority (Authority), is currently the 10th largest seaport in the United States and has been identified as the fastest growth container terminal in North America. In any given year, between 52-67 million tons of cargo moves through the Port. The Authority’s container, general cargo and bulk facilities have immediate access to two interstate systems, five Class 1 railroads, and 15,000 miles of inland waterway connections. To keep up with demand,
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley among big names behind Alabama venture capital fund
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is one of several big names behind a venture capital fund in Alabama. The Alabama Futures Fund announced this week that it has closed a $25 million early-stage venture capital fund that will focus on the state’s growing entrepreneurial culture. Investors include Barkley, Protective Life Insurance Company, HOAR Construction, Raymond J. Harbert, G. Ruffner Page Jr., and Benny M. LaRussa Jr. “Protective is proud to be a part of the Alabama Futures Fund,” said Carl Thigpen, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Protective. “We see this as an investment in the future of Alabama and look forward to seeing how it contributes to the state’s ever-growing business community.” The fund will only invest in companies that are headquartered in Alabama, or willing to move to the state, Al.com reports . The fund’s portfolio investments will be managed by Birmingham-based Redhawk Advisory through its principles, Matt Hottle and Mickey Millsap. Hottle said Alabama startups have had grit and resourcefulness, but not the money needed to grow. “The funding, strategic partnerships, and support AFF will provide has the opportunity to be game-changing, not only for the individual companies, but for the economic growth of the entire state,” said Matt Hottle. The fund is calling the venture the largest seed-stage investment fund in Alabama history. It will focus on companies “across a broad range of industries that exhibit the potential for high growth.” The Alabama Futures Fund was conceived to address Alabama’s historically low ranking in funding for early-stage startups. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
State health officials plan summit on Alabama infant deaths
Health officials are planning a meeting to raise awareness of Alabama’s worsening infant death rate. The Infant Mortality Reduction Summit is scheduled Friday at Auburn University at Montgomery. Experts will discuss the problem of infant deaths in the state, which has one of the nation’s worst rates. Families who lost children will participate in a panel discussion about their experiences. The Alabama Department of Public Health says the state’s infant mortality rate of 9.1 deaths for every 1,000 live births in 2016 was worse than the year before. The rate means 59,090 children were born in the state in 2016, and 537 of them died before their first birthday. That’s an increase of 43 infant deaths from 2015. There’s no charge to attend the summit. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Randall Woodfin ready to play political king-maker, launches PAC for progressive Democrats
Not even a full year into his first term at City Hall and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is ready to play political king-maker. In an op-ed published Monday on AL.com, Woodfin announced the launch of his new Political Action Committee (PAC), which aims to “elect the next generation of progressive Democratic leadership in Alabama.” “NextGen Alabama seeks to modify this antiquated approach to Democratic campaigning by focusing on movement building and longevity. We must meet voters in their communities, on their doorsteps and in their churches. That is the only way Democrats will be able to flip conservative states in the South,” Woodfin wrote. Registered with the Secretary of State back in May, the PAC, Next Generation Alabama, or NextGen Alabama for short, hopes to essentially turn Alabama’s red tide (or crimson as it may be for some households), blue. “If you find yourself – like me – representing a blue island in a sea of red, you have an obligation to change the tide for the communities you serve,” explained Woodfin. Woodfin hopes to change the ground game for Alabama progressives seeking office, by prioritizing grassroots organizing and voter contact. To that end, the PAC will “only support progressive candidates that are unapologetic about engaging directly with our base and infrequent voters.” NextGen Alabama shares its name in part with a national Super PAC, NextGen America. Created by liberal, billionaire Tom Steyer, NextGen America is a large donor behind Woodfin’s good friend Andrew Gillum, the underdog candidate who surprisingly bested his Democratic opponents and won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination just last month. Whether or not Woodfin’s venture has any ties to Steyer remains to be seen.
Bradley Byrne: Our booming economy
When you turn on the TV or log onto your computer these days, you are bombarded with negative news stories about the latest so-called scandal from Washington. I’ve said it before, but I believe it is so true: we need to tune out the noise from the national news media and look at what is actually happening. The U.S. military is being rebuilt, and our communities are becoming safer. But, nowhere is the positive direction of our country more apparent than when it comes to the economy. The American people are thriving under a strong economy that is providing promising opportunities for American families. Thanks to lower taxes, fewer regulations, a stronger focus on fair trade, and a less invasive federal government, the American economy is truly booming. Just consider some of the numbers. The August jobs report found that 201,000 new jobs were created in the United States and the unemployment rate sits at a low 3.9 percent. At the same time, the report found that wages increased at the best rate since 2009. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits is at the lowest point in almost 49-years. Surveys have found that consumer confidence has reached its highest level since October 2000. And, second quarter growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) increased to 4.2 percent, the best performance in nearly ten years. The economic gains are also reaching populations that have generally lagged behind during other economic booms. For example, youth unemployment has hit the lowest level in 52-years. The unemployment rates for African Americans and Hispanics are also at or near record lows. Here in Alabama, we are experiencing the lowest unemployment rate in our state’s history. New businesses continue to locate in our area, and Alabama workers are seeing more money in their pockets. Right here in Southwest Alabama, our communities are experiencing economic growth, and the growth is not just confined to the larger cities. For example, I recently visited Provalus in Brewton. This is a high-tech company bringing good-paying jobs to the people in Escambia County. I also stopped by Sterling Packaging in Monroeville recently. This company moved from Canada to Monroe County due to our great economic climate and a dedicated workforce. These are just two examples from rural Alabama where new businesses are opening and providing opportunities for Alabama families. The economic gains show that our conservative, pro-growth policies are working, but there are other priorities we must address to ensure we continue to grow and create opportunities for Americans. Health care remains at the top of the list. We need to make sure our health care system works and is affordable for Americans. Here in Alabama, a top health care priority that directly impacts the economy is saving our rural hospitals. Without a hospital, communities won’t be able to attract new industry. Also on the list is passing a new Farm Bill that supports our farmers. Agriculture remains the top industry in Alabama, so having a strong, fair Farm Bill is so very important. A big part of the Farm Bill this year is a focus on expanding rural broadband. This is vital to the economic success of rural America. We know the government does not create jobs, but we can help promote job growth with the right policies. These are just a few tangible ways we can keep our foot on the gas and fully unleash our economic potential. At the end of the day, we should not let some talking head on television tell us how terrible our country is today. Instead, simply look at the facts about the booming American economy. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Alabama teens invited to learn more about US Military Academy opportunities
Have you or your child ever dreamed about attending one of the United States Military Academies? Attending one of the five service academies — United States Military Academy in West Point, NY; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis Md.; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY — is a great way to prepare to be military officer while also getting a top-of-the-line college education. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Students applying must be between the ages of 17-23, be unmarried, be a legal resident of their respective representative’s district and believe they have what it takes to succeed at one of the United States Service Academies. But simply wanting to attend ones of these schools isn’t enough. They have a highly competitive acceptance process and after applying for the school applicants must also secure a nomination from their U.S. Senator(s), U.S. Representative, and/or the Vice President in order to complete the admissions process. Which is why Senator Doug Jones is hosting a series informational sessions this month for interested Alabamians across the state where he encourages interested applicants and their families to attend one of these sessions if they plan to seek a nomination from the Senator. Details for informational sessions Mobile, Ala. Where: Murphy High School (Auditorium), 100 Carlen Street, Mobile, AL 36606 When: Monday, September 17 from 5:15 – 6:30 PM Central *Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne is also hosting his own Academy Night for those interested in attending a service academy on Monday, Sept. 10. from 6-8:00 p.m. CT at St. Paul’s Episcopal School; Dr. Monte L. Moorer Theatre (161 Dogwood Lane; Mobile, AL) Selma, Ala. Where: Wallace Community College, Hank Sanders Technology Center Conference Room, 3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway, Selma, AL 36703 When:Tuesday, September 18 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM Central Montgomery, Ala. Where: Park Crossing High School (library), 8000 Park Crossing, Montgomery, AL 36117 When: Tuesday, September 18 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM Central Birmingham, Ala. Where: Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 When: Wednesday, September 19 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM Central Huntsville, Ala. Where: Madison Public Library, 142 Plaza Blvd, Madison, AL 35758 When: Thursday, September 20 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM Central Dothan, Ala. Where: Troy University – Dothan Campus (Everett Building), 500 University Dr., Dothan, AL 36303 When: Thursday, September 20 from 5:30 – 6:30 PM Central Note: Only a limited number of Alabamians will be nominated, and a nomination does not guarantee acceptance into an academy.
Democrat Bob Vance outraising GOP opponent Tom Parker in Alabama chief justice race
In the race for Alabama chief justice, Democratic nominee Bob Vance is attracting more donors than Republican Tom Parker. Campaign finance reports filed recently show that Vance raised $200,000 for his campaign last month. Parker reported raising less than $4,000. Vance has an available campaign balance of $420,197 while Parker has $17,500. The race pits Parker, a member of the court since 2005 and a past adviser to former chief justice Roy Moore, against Vance, a Jefferson County judge. Finance reports show that two former Republican Supreme Court members, former Chief Justice Drayton Nabers and former Justice Thomas Woodall, donated to Vance’s campaign. Parker won the GOP primary over incumbent Chief Justice Lyn Stuart, who had a financial advantage in the race. Republished with permission form the Associated Press.
High stakes as 2-month sprint to Election Day begins
Control of Congress and the future of Donald Trump‘s presidency are on the line as the primary season closes this week, jump-starting a two-month sprint to Election Day that will test Democrats’ ability to harness opposition to Trump and determine whether the Republican president can get his supporters to the polls. For both parties, the stakes are exceedingly high. After crushing defeats in 2016, Democrats open the fall campaign brimming with confidence about their prospects for retaking the House, which would give them power to open a wide swath of investigations into Trump or even launch impeachment proceedings. The outcome of the election, which features a record number of Democratic female and minority candidates, will also help shape the party’s direction heading into the 2020 presidential race. Republicans have spent the primary season anxiously watching suburban voters, particularly women, peel away because of their disdain for Trump. The shift seems likely to cost the party in several key congressional races. Still, party leaders are optimistic that Republicans can keep control of the Senate, which could help insulate Trump from a raft of Democratic investigations. History is not on Trump’s side. The president’s party typically suffers big losses in the first midterm election after taking office. And despite a strong economy, Republicans must also contend with the president’s sagging approval rating and the constant swirl of controversy hanging over the White House, including special counsel Robert Mueller’s ongoing probe into Russian election interference and possible obstruction of justice by Trump. Despite those headwinds, Trump is betting on himself this fall. He’s thrust himself into the center of the campaign and believes he can ramp up turnout among his ardent supporters and offset a wave of Democratic enthusiasm. Aides say he’ll spend much of the fall holding rallies in swing states. “The great unknown is whether the president can mobilize his base to meet the enthusiasm gap that is clearly presented at this point,” said Josh Holmes, a longtime adviser to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. “Because the middle won’t be there for Republicans.” Indeed, Trump’s turbulent summer appears to have put many moderates and independents out of reach for Republican candidates, according to GOP officials. One internal GOP poll obtained by The Associated Press showed Trump’s approval rating among independents in congressional battleground districts dropped 10 points between June and August. A GOP official who oversaw the survey attributed the drop to negative views of Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the White House’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. The official was not authorized to discuss the internal polling publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Those declines put several incumbent GOP lawmakers at risk, including Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock, who represents a district in the Washington suburbs, and Rep. Erik Paulsen, whose suburban Minneapolis district has been in Republican hands since 1961. Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House. Operatives in both parties believe at least 40 seats will be competitive in November. Corry Bliss, who runs a super PAC aligned with House Speaker Paul Ryan, acknowledged a “tough environment” for Republicans that could quickly become too difficult for some incumbents to overcome. “Incumbents who wake up down in the beginning of October are not going to be able to fix it in this environment,” Bliss said. “But incumbents who go on the offense early can and will win.” Democratic incumbents had a similar wakeup call during the primaries after New York Rep. Joe Crowley, who held a powerful leadership position in Congress, stunningly lost to 28-year-old first-time candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She’s among several younger minority candidates who defeated older, more established opponents, signaling a desire among many Democratic voters for generational change. The result is a Democratic field with more women and minorities on the general-election ballot than ever before, several of whom are poised to make history if elected. Ayanna Pressley, who defeated 10-term Rep. Michael Capuano in a primary last week and is unopposed in the general election, will be the first black woman to represent Massachusetts in Congress. Rashida Talib of Michigan is on track to become the first Muslim woman in Congress. And Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Andrew Gillum in Florida would be their states’ first black governors if elected this fall. Crowley said the wave that led to his own defeat will have long-term benefits for the Democratic Party if it motivates more young people and minorities to vote. “Look at the positives for the country in terms of engagement and the activity that it’s causing and fervor that is forming,” Crowley said. Indeed, turnout for Democrats has been high in a series of special elections that preceded the November contest. Nearly 60 Democratic challengers outraised House Republicans in the second quarter of 2018. And of the 10 Senate Democrats running for re-election in states Trump carried two years ago, only Florida Sen. Bill Nelson has been outraised by his Republican opponent. “We’ve got real wind at our back,” said Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. “The breadth and depth of the map is remarkable.” Despite Democrats’ optimism heading into the fall, party officials concede that taking back control of the Senate may not be realistic. Unlike the competitive House races, which are being fought in territory that is increasingly favorable to Democrats, the most competitive Senate contests are in states Trump won — often decisively. Democratic operatives are increasingly worried about Sen. Heidi Heitkamp‘s ability to hang on in North Dakota, a state Trump won by 36 points and visited on Friday. Democratic incumbents also face more conservative electorates in Missouri, Indiana and Montana. Still, Democrats believe that if momentum builds through the fall and Trump’s approval rating sinks further, the party could not only hold onto its current Senate seats but also add wins in territory that has long been out of reach, including Tennessee and Texas, where Rep. Beto O’Rourke
