Alabama editorial roundup: Nov. 7, 2018 edition
Recent editorials from Alabama newspapers: ___ Nov. 7 The Decatur Daily says it is time for Americans to remember their unified belief in a democratic process is more important than the boxes they checked on the Nov. 6 ballot: Finally it’s over. At least until the next election heats up, we will get a respite from mailboxes filled with flyers, endless advertisements demonizing the other side, and social media posts proclaiming one party or one candidate offers the only solution. The acrimony leading up to Tuesday’s midterm elections too often was a function of deliberate oversimplification. Our state and nation face complex problems that are resistant to easy solutions. Simple fixes would already have been accomplished; the low-hanging branches already are bare. The remaining problems are inherently difficult, requiring level-headed input from multiple perspectives. The intensity of this election was disturbing, but also a good sign. Americans get worked up because we care. We are passionate in our desire to improve the state and nation. And we believe in democracy. We believe our vote matters not just to short-term outcomes, but to the long-term viability of the American experiment in self-governance. While passionate advocacy has been an essential element of our nation’s greatness, so has the willingness to abide by the decisions of the majority. Every contested race on Tuesday’s ballot resulted in winners and losers. It is incumbent on the winners to accept victory with humility. The heavier burden is upon losers. They are frustrated today, and the temptation is to reject the system that dismissed their preferences. But it is the system, far more than particular candidates or issues, that defines our nation. Our representative democracy — to paraphrase Winston Churchill — is the worst form of government except for all the others. It is chaotic and nasty, brutal and inefficient. For all its rough edges, however, our system of government eventually points us in the right direction. We stumble and backtrack, careen to the left and right, but our nation’s history is one of progress. The losers in Tuesday’s election — and most people who voted lost at least one race — need to step back. Beyond the barrage of tribal campaigning, can we see merit in the candidate or position we opposed? Even if the answer is no, we should respect the system that allowed us to have a voice. Those convinced the election outcome was harmful have time to better articulate their message before the next election. Our system is built on immense confidence in the citizenry. We are trusted to both engage in the conflict of campaigns and accept disappointing results with equanimity. We are trusted to express our opinions with energy, but to reserve our greatest loyalty to a democratic process that often rejects our viewpoints. … Online: https://www.decaturdaily.com/ ___ Nov. 7 The Cullman Times on Garlan Gudger preparing to enter his new role as an Alabama State Senator: After 14 years of service to the City of Cullman, Garlan Gudger is preparing to take the skills that made him successful at home to the often contentious halls of state government. As a state senator, representing District 4, Gudger will no doubt face the challenges that have kept Alabama on a political roller coaster for many years. The scandalous end of Gov. Robert Bentley, the indictment and conviction of House Speaker Mike Hubbard and others, and the odd departure to Washington by Attorney General Luther Strange, via the U.S. Senate appointment from the governor he was investigating, are just a few of the events that have eroded public confidence and diluted the ability of state government to move Alabama forward. Gudger, however, prepares to arrive in Montgomery in early 2019 with a reputation of being willing to sit down and talk with the people he serves as well as those he governed alongside in Cullman. For 10 of the 14 years on the Cullman City Council, he was designated president and provided valuable leadership through a few difficult years and a lot of progressive years of growth. The key in Cullman’s leadership in recent years has been the ability of council members and mayors to agree and disagree, but find common ground for the good of the residents they serve. That type of statesmanship, which serves well at any level of government, is often non-existent in Montgomery and Washington, D.C. So, there is the challenge going forward. Gudger has shown the ability to reach out to others to find solutions and move forward. Alabama has multiple pending issues that are continually pushed from one session to the next. How can the state improve workforce availability and training? What is the answer to dangerously overcrowded prisons? Why are the people not allowed to vote on something as simple as a lottery? Can internet service be brought to areas that are far behind in technology? How can schools become more consistent and effective across the state? Can the rigid funding formulas maintained in Alabama be untangled to better fund services? Will infrastructure improvements be funded? Lower unemployment is Alabama’s shining characteristic at the moment. But all of the aforementioned questions weigh into the long-term viability of the state. Improved roads, better education, increased revenue and greater technology will create great opportunities. Bringing Alabama to a higher performance level is not the job of one person. This should be a team effort of the Legislature working with the governor, even when there are disagreements. We are confident Reps. Randall Shedd and Corey Harbison will work closely with Gudger as he begins his tenure in Montgomery. While Gudger’s presence and performance will be missed at the local level, we anticipate he will bring his endless spirit of cooperation and leadership to the Alabama Senate. Good luck, Garlan. Online: https://www.cullmantimes.com/ ___ Nov. 7 Dothan Eagle on elections in Alabama: All the conjecture about an impending “blue wave” spreading across Alabama meant little to most of the state’s voters, who sent GOP candidates into offices across the state
What they’re saying: Alabama politicians react to resignation of Jeff Sessions
Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned from his post Wednesday, at the request of President Donald Trump, less than 24 hours after voters went to the polls in the midterm elections. Politicians from across Alabama are reacting to the news: Sen. Richard Shelby: Thank you to my good friend, Jeff Sessions, for over 40 years of noble service to Alabama and our country. Jeff was a respected colleague of mine in the Senate for two decades and represented our nation with honor as the U.S. Attorney General. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: I’ve known Jeff Sessions for almost four decades, and I applaud his dedicated service to Alabama and our country. I wish him and Mary nothing but the best. I’m confident President Trump will nominate an Attorney General who will continue to be strong on illegal immigration and work to enforce the rule of law in our country. 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: I have always known Jeff Sessions to be a man of the highest integrity. I am grateful for his long career in service to the State of Alabama, and I appreciate his remarkable leadership as our country’s Attorney General. I wish him the very best in whatever endeavors follow. 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt: Having served with Jeff Sessions in Congress, I can honestly say that he has always been someone who is of the utmost character and ability. I know he worked every day to uphold the law in all fairness to everyone. He has done great work enforcing our immigration laws, fighting gangs and opioid abuse and upholding religious liberties. Jeff, and his wife Mary, have been good friends with Caroline and me. We wish them the best in whatever is in store for them in the next chapter of their lives 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks: Jeff Sessions honorably and ably served as a United States Attorney, Alabama Attorney General, United States Senator, and U.S. Attorney General. Throughout his long career of public service, Jeff’s deep love of country was evident in his unwavering devotion to upholding America’s foundational principles as enshrined in our Constitution. He served with integrity and dignity. I’m proud to have worked alongside him as both a prosecutor in Alabama and member of Congress. I have been fortunate to know Jeff Sessions for a quarter of a century. As an elected official, Jeff Sessions never wavered in his fierce defense of the Rule of Law and America’s sovereign right to defend and secure its own borders. Jeff Sessions has made Alabama proud. I wish him the best as he embarks on his next journey. 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer: I have known Jeff Sessions for over three decades. When I met him, he was doing honorable service. In this Administration, his service was nothing less than honorable. I’m grateful for his service and friendship and wish him the best in the future. 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: Today’s firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions is an alarming reminder of the need for checks and balances. Here in Congress, we have a responsibility to protect special counsel Robert Mueller and the investigation into Russia’s interference in our democracy. Our elections were attacked, and the American people deserve all of the facts on what happened. If Attorney General Sessions was fired as a first step towards interfering in the Mueller investigation, then President Trump must be held accountable. Attorney General Steve Marshall: During his time as U.S. Attorney General, Jeff Sessions has been the standard-bearer for upholding the rule of law and fighting every day to make America safer. He has been a vital partner to state attorneys general, and to me personally, in dealing with violent crime and in strengthening our efforts to combat America’s opioid crisis. While his style was to work quietly behind the scenes, he made a powerful positive difference in rebuilding the confidence of prosecutors and law enforcement personnel across the nation—not just as U.S. Attorney General, but also as U.S. Senator and Alabama Attorney General. My staff and I will greatly miss Jeff’s leadership at the Department of Justice and we wish him all the best. Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan: A man of integrity, Jeff Sessions has led the Department of Justice with dignity and a firm commitment to the rule of law. His reputation as a dedicated public servant precedes his many years of honorable service to our nation. From his time as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, Alabama Attorney General, U.S. Senator, to the 84th Attorney General of the United States, Alabamians have strongly supported Jeff Sessions. …A true Alabama statesman, Jeff Sessions has been a warrior for President Trump’s conservative agenda. From enforcing our nation’s immigration laws, fighting opioid abuse to strongly supporting members of our law enforcement, Jeff Sessions has consistently made Alabama proud. His service can be most accurately summed up in our state’s motto: ‘We dare defend our rights.’ Unwavering and resolute, our country needs more public servants like Jeff Sessions. We are blessed and are stronger because of his humble sacrifices through his lifetime of service to Alabama and America.
Alabama’s lone House Democrat Terri Sewell announces leadership run
Now that the U.S. House of Representatives has flipped back to the Democratic Party, Alabama’s lone House Democrat has announced that she will make a run for party leadership. Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell on Wednesday announced her bid for Caucus Leadership Representative, a leadership position reserved for Members who have served five terms or less. “As a Southern Democrat who represents the urban and rural heartland, I know that our party needs to engage progressive, moderate, and conservative communities in order to build a winning coalition,” said Sewell. “We need a diversity of voices at the leadership table that reflect both geographical and ideological perspectives.” She continued, “In the next Congress, our Caucus must work with House Democrats from across the political spectrum to craft an agenda that focuses our work on the issues Americans care about most. With input from all of our Members, I believe the Democratic Caucus can win over American voters across the country and across ideologies with our fight for working families.” First elected in 2010, Sewell was re-elected Tuesady to serve her fifth term in the House of Representatives. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, as a Chief Deputy Whip for the Democratic Caucus, as a Member of the Steering and Policy Committee, and as Co-Chair of the Voting Rights Caucus. The full text of her letter announcing her run to her Democratic colleagues may be found below: November 7, 2018 Dear Democratic Colleagues: After Tuesday’s election-night victory, Democrats have an opportunity for the first time in a decade to refocus Congress on the needs of America’s working families. As the new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives charts a course forward, I am seeking your support for my candidacy for Caucus Leadership Representative, a leadership position reserved for Members who have served five terms or less. As a Democrat from Alabama, I have practical experience working to win over progressive, moderate, and conservative communities where independent and swing voters decide elections. My experience campaigning for Senator Doug Jones in Alabama’s 2017 special election taught me that with the right message, Democrats can win in districts across the country and that American voters prefer bipartisan, commonsense solutions over divisive rhetoric. By staying laser-focused on our fight for better jobs, access to quality and affordable healthcare, and an economy that works for all Americans, I believe Democrats can champion the needs of voters from our rural communities to our bustling cities. This past Congress, I had the honor of serving as a Vice Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, a Chief Deputy Whip for the Democratic Caucus, a Member of the Steering and Policy Committee, and as Co-Chair of the Voting Rights Caucus. Through these roles, I have elevated our fight for healthcare access in rural and underserved communities, made democracy reforms a top national priority, and fought for tax and trade policies that put our working families and workers first. As a Member of the Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), I have worked to hold President Trump accountable. I have fought for a fairer and more equitable tax code, and a full investigation of Russia’s attack on our democracy. I have worked to secure our elections against future cyberattacks and other threats. I believe the integrity of our elections and the health of our democratic institutions must remain a chief concern, and that in the majority, Democrats will be well positioned not only to conduct necessary oversight but to pass legislation aimed at strengthening our democracy. In order to build an agenda that unifies our Members and works across the country, I believe that our Caucus must work to engage with all House Democrats regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum. As Caucus Leadership Representative, I would reach out to the newest Members of our Caucus and work with our more experienced Members to stay up-to-date on the changing political landscape of districts across the country. With Member input, I believe the Democratic Caucus can win over American voters across the country and across ideologies with our fight for working families. The values I would bring to the Caucus Leadership Representative position are anchored in my upbringing in Selma, Alabama. Growing up in a community where so many foot soldiers fought, bled, and died for our right to vote, I learned at a young age the importance of being civically engaged, speaking out for what’s right, and fighting for our most sacred American values. As the daughter of a librarian and a public-school teacher, my parents taught me what it means to make sure no one gets left behind. Before coming to Congress, I spent over a decade practicing law, and distinguished myself as one of the only black public finance lawyers in the State of Alabama. Those are the values and experiences that shaped my first run for Congress in 2010 and which continue to inform my fight for economic growth, access to healthcare, and a democracy where all voters have a fair voice. As Caucus Leadership Representative, I would bring these values and my experiences in a diverse set of communities to the table. I would be honored to win your support for Caucus Leadership Representative, and I look forward to discussing my candidacy with you over the coming days and weeks. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Terri Sewell Member of Congress
Read Jeff Sessions’ resignation letter to Donald Trump
Less than 24 hours after the midterm elections, President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign. Sessions submitted his resignation letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Read the letter below:
Attorney General Jeff Sessions submits resignation to Donald Trump
Attorney General Jeff Sessions submitted his resignation to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, just one day after the midterm elections. Sessions resigned via a letter hand-delivered to Chief of Staff John Kelly. Sessions said he resigned per the president’s request. “At your request, I am submitting my resignation,” Sessions wrote to the president. Trump’s reaction Following news breaking of Sessions’ resignation, Trump took to Twitter to react. “We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well…” Trump tweeted. We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Whitaker, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the Department of Justice, will become our new Acting Attorney General of the United States. He will serve our Country well…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018 “….We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date,” Trump added. ….We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018 For months Trump has indicated his disapproval of Sessions. Trump fired several barbs at Sessions in August, telling Fox news channel’s “Fox & Friends” saying Sessions “took the job and then he said, ‘I’m going to recuse myself.” Sessions’ history Sessions, 71, a former US senator and federal prosecutor from Alabama was an early supporter and endorser of Trump, and over the course of the 2016 election became a close and trusted adviser to Trump.
Democratic House could probe Donald Trump business ties abroad
The Democratic victory in the U.S. House of Representatives could echo from Moscow to Beijing to Riyadh, with empowered Democrats now able to launch new investigations into President Donald Trump‘s international business empire and his political dealings with other nations. Overturning control of the House in Tuesday’s midterm elections has given the Democrats a new weapon to wield against Trump: the subpoena. The Democratic leaders of many House committees will have subpoena powers enabling them to obtain documents, emails and testimony. The White House would likely fight many such requests in court, but the subpoenas’ reach could extend far beyond Washington. That means Democrats could look into such issues as the 18 trademarks that China has granted in recent months to companies linked to Trump and his daughter Ivanka and whether they were conflicts of interest. China says it handles all trademark applications equally, but House committees could probe whether Beijing can exploit the Trump family’s substantial intellectual property holdings in China to its political or diplomatic advantage. On Wednesday, China would not comment directly on the U.S. election results. “It’s their domestic affair. I don’t want to comment on that, otherwise I will run the risk of being accused of interfering in their midterm election,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters. “Regardless of the result … we believe the two governments and the two peoples all want to maintain the sound and steady development of bilateral relations because we believe it is in the best interests of the international community,” Hua said. For Moscow, the Democratic victory means a probable reopening of the congressional investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. The Republican-led Intelligence Committee closed its probe into Russian meddling, saying it had found no evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. Democrats, though, have long said that the Republicans ignored many key facts and witnesses. A congressional probe would be more public than special counsel Robert Mueller‘s current investigation into Russian election interference and wouldn’t run the risk of being shut down by Trump. Russian President Vladimir Putin denies any involvement in Trump’s election victory, but he may quietly favor a renewed investigation, seeing them as a way to sow chaos and division in America’s bitterly divided political arena. What he would not favor, though, would be investigations or sanctions that would further damage the well-connected Russian oligarchs believed to have helped fund the U.S. election meddling efforts. The Kremlin shrugged off the midterm election results and concerns that a Democratic-controlled House would increase the pressure on Russia. “It’d be hard to make (the relationship) even worse,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday. A meeting between Trump and Putin planned for this weekend in France on the sidelines of World War I commemorations has been scrapped. Then there’s Saudi Arabia, and the relationship between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The ties between the two men, who are said to communicate frequently, could come under increased scrutiny by Democrats. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have long been key allies, and Trump made the country his first stop abroad as president. But the crown prince has lost supporters in Congress since the Oct. 2 killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of the crown prince, inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The slaying was allegedly carried out by agents close to the prince. The fallout for Saudi Arabia from the U.S. election could be immense, with Democrats possibly trying to block major arms sales to Saudi Arabia and curtail U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen, which the prince launched as defense minister in 2015. The conflict has become widely unpopular with some members of Congress and aid agencies say it has created the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe, with millions facing starvation amid a Saudi blockade of the Arab world’s poorest country. The U.S. assists the Saudi-led coalition with in-air refueling and intelligence on targets, and supplies the kingdom with fighter jets and bombs used in the war. “There’s so much to the Trump administration that could be investigated, it’s an unprecedented situation of major business entanglements around the world” linked to the U.S. president, said Dana Allin, senior fellow with the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “It’s very difficult to rule out the idea that foreign policy decisions are not being kept separate from business interests.” But more investigations, Republicans note, could also blow back against the Democrats for the 2020 U.S. election. Many Trump supporters already believe investigations into him have gone too far, and a string of new subpoenas could end up alienating voters. That’s what happened in the 1998 midterm vote, when Republican impeachment proceedings against then-President Bill Clinton ended up energizing his fellow Democrats, allowing them to take additional House seats. Trump, meanwhile, warned Democrats against using their new majority in the House of Representatives to investigate his administration. He said in a tweet Wednesday that if they do, the Republican-controlled Senate may investigate Democrats. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Personnel note: House Speaker Mac McCutcheon hires Mark Tuggle as Chief of Staff
Monrovia-Republican, Alabama Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon on Wednesday announced former State Rep. Mark Tuggle of Alexander City will serve as his office’s chief of staff effective immediately. “As a member of the Alabama House, Mark set himself apart as a leader and proved a valuable source of wise counsel, so I’m pleased to continue utilizing his talents as my chief of staff,” McCutcheon said in a statement. “Alabama faces many challenges that the Legislature must resolve, and Mark will play a large role in developing and passing needed solutions to those important issues.” Tuggle said he appreciated the confidence that McCutcheon placed in his abilities and looks forward to continue working with the members of the Alabama House. “When I decided against seeking another term in the House, I assumed my work in state government had ended, but Speaker McCutcheon convinced me to continue serving the citizens of Alabama in this new role,” Tuggle added. “As a former member, I’ll be able to advise the new House members with the perspective of someone who has once held the same responsibilities, and I will work with the returning members as someone they already know and trust.” Out of an overabundance of caution, McCutcheon secured approval from the Alabama Ethics Commission regarding Tuggle’s appointment to his new post. Tuggle replaces McCutcheon’s outgoing chief of staff Jimmy Entrekin, who became general counsel for the Legislative Services Agency earlier this year. About Tuggle Tuggle, who was twice elected to the House District 81 seat, served as chairman of the House State Government Committee and also held a seat on the House Internal Affairs Committee. For the past eight years, he served on the prestigious House Ways and Means Education Committee, which allocates more than $6 billion in education funding to Alabama’s K-12 public schools, community colleges, and public colleges and universities. A professional forester for more than two decades, Tuggle retired from the Alabama Power Company prior to his House service and later worked as a freelance consultant on forestry and timber matters. He and his wife, Michelle, have one daughter, Dee.
A two-party Alabama? Not yet, election returns shows
Democrats may have taken a step toward building Alabama into a two-party state by running more candidates than four years ago, but they couldn’t pull off a win for any statewide office. Alabama Republicans turned back a re-energized Democratic Party with little problem on Tuesday, winning the governor’s office and every other statewide seat to maintain their lock on Montgomery. Aside from GOP Gov. Kay Ivey defeating Democratic challenger Walt Maddox for a full term, all six of the state’s congressional Republicans won re-election easily, and amendments favored by conservatives won approval with ease. The result means more of the same in the state’s balance of power: No Democrat will hold statewide office in Montgomery, and Alabama’s nine-member delegation to Washington includes seven Republicans. Here are some of the key races: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Republican state Rep. Will Ainsworth defeated Democrat Will Boyd in the race for lieutenant governor, a job that mainly involves presiding over the state Senate. Ainsworth was first elected to the Alabama House four years ago. The North Alabama resident billed himself as Christian conservative who will set a higher ethical standard at a Statehouse tainted by repeated scandals in recent years. Boyd is a minister from Florence. He has made several unsuccessful bids for public office, including last year when he sought the Democratic nomination for the seat now held by Jones. ATTORNEY GENERAL Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall, an appointee who previously served as a county prosecutor in north Alabama, defeated Democrat Joseph Siegelman, the son one of the best-known names in state politics, former Gov. Don Siegelman. Marshall, 53, took over in February 2017 after Luther Strange was appointed to the U.S. Senate. He endured personal tragedy earlier this year when his wife Bridgette took her own life in June just weeks before the Republican runoff. Siegelman, 30, is a Birmingham attorney who was making his first bid for public office. While many voters might recognize his name because of his father, they also might attach some unwanted baggage to it. Don Siegelman, Alabama’s last Democratic governor, served time in federal prison after being convicted in a bribery conspiracy. CONGRESS Alabama’s congressional Republicans pulled off a clean sweep over Democratic challengers, and it wasn’t close in any district. In the most closely watched race, Rep. Mike Rogers of Saks easily defeated Miss America Mallory Hagan of Opelika as he sought a ninth term in the solidly GOP District 3. The district tilts Republican, so the outcome wasn’t a surprise; Rogers won re-election two years ago by a more than 30-point margin. Voters in the 1st District of southwestern Alabama handily elected Rep. Bradley Byrne of Fairhope to a third full term as he defeated Democratic nominee Robert Kennedy Jr. of Mobile. Republican Rep. Martha Roby of Montgomery turned back Democrat Tabitha Isner in District 2 of southeastern Alabama, and 11-term Republican Rep. Robert Aderholt of Haleyville won re-election in District 4 of north central Alabama by defeating Democrat Lee Auman, a camp manager from Union Grove. Four-term Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Huntsville defeated Democrat Peter Joffrion, a former Huntsville city attorney, in the 5th District of the Tennessee Valley. In the 6th District of metro Birmingham, GOP Rep. Gary Palmer won a third term against Democrat Danner Kline, an early leader of Alabama’s craft beer industry. Rep. Terri Sewell, who didn’t have GOP opposition, remains the only Democrat in the state’s House delegation. SUPREME COURT Alabama’s nine-member Supreme Court remains all-Republican, with an acolyte of ousted chief justice Roy Moore now in the same job. Supreme Court Associate Justice Tom Parker turned back Democratic challenger Bob Vance Jr. to be elected chief justice of the state’s highest court. Parker will take over the position previously held by Moore, a mentor. Parker was elected to the Supreme Court in 2004. His campaign appealed to social conservatives and emphasized his hope of one day overturning U.S. Supreme Court decisions such as the one that legalized abortion. Vance is a circuit judge in Jefferson County. He was endorsed by six former chief justices, including three Republicans, but couldn’t pull off a win in a state where Republicans hold an overwhelming majority. In the only other contested Supreme Court race, Birmingham attorney Jay Mitchell defeated Jasper lawyer Donna Wesson Smalley for the Place 4 position. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS Voters approved a constitutional amendment regarding the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools and government buildings. The proposal would allow displays in public schools and government buildings in a way that “complies with constitutional requirements” such as being posted with historical documents. Voters also approved an amendment to add anti-abortion language to Alabama’s 1901 constitution specifying that the state recognizes the “rights of unborn children.” The measure does not impact abortion access unless Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, is reversed. STATE SCHOOL BOARD Voters decided three races for the Alabama State Board of Education. In District 2, Auburn City School Board President Tracie West defeated Democrat Adam Jortner, who teaches history at Auburn University. District 4 Democratic incumbent Yvette Richardson, a veteran educator from Fairfield, overcame a challenge by Republican Don Wallace, an accountant and former Tuscaloosa County commissioner from Northport. In the District 8 race, retired educator Wayne Reynolds of Athens defeated Democratic school volunteer Jessica Fortune Barker of Huntsville. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Dem gains threaten Donald Trump agenda, even without ‘blue wave’
Democrats have regained control of the House from President Donald Trump‘s Republican Party in the midterm elections, powered by a suburban revolt that has threatened what’s left of the president’s governing agenda. But the GOP added to its Senate edge and prevailed in some key races for governor Tuesday, beating back the potential of big Democratic gains across the board. The “blue wave” that some had feared from Election Day never fully materialized. The mixed verdict in the first nationwide election of Trump’s presidency showed the limits of his hard-line immigration rhetoric in America’s evolving political landscape, where college-educated voters in the suburbs rejected his warnings of a migrant “invasion.” But blue-collar voters and rural America embraced his aggressive talk and stances. The new Democratic House majority will end Republican dominance in Washington for the final two years of Trump’s first term with major questions looming about health care, immigration and government spending. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California, who would be in line to become the next speaker, spoke of “a new day in America.” Trump, in a tweet, said that “in all fairness” Pelosi “deserves” to return to her former role as speaker, despite some rumblings in her party. “She has earned this great honor!” But the Democrats’ edge is narrow. With 218 seats needed for a majority in the 435-member Houses, Democrats have won 220 and the Republicans 193, with winners undetermined in 22 races. Trump was expected to address the results at a postelection news conference scheduled for midday Wednesday. The president’s party will maintain control of the executive branch of the government, in addition to the Senate. But Democrats suddenly have a foothold that gives them subpoena power to probe deep into Trump’s personal and professional missteps — and his long-withheld tax returns. Early Wednesday, Trump warned Democrats against using their new majority to investigate his administration. “If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level,” Trump tweeted, “then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game!” It wasn’t clear what “leaks” he was referring to. It could have been a much bigger night for Democrats, who suffered stinging losses in Ohio and in Florida, where Trump-backed Republican Ron DeSantis ended Democrat Andrew Gillum‘s bid to become the state’s first African-American governor. The elections also exposed an extraordinary political realignment in an electorate defined by race, gender, and education that could shape U.S. politics for years to come. The GOP’s successes were fueled by a coalition that’s decidedly older, whiter, more male and less likely to have college degrees. Democrats relied more upon women, people of color, young people and college graduates. Record diversity on the ballot may have helped drive turnout. Voters were on track to send at least 99 women to the House, shattering the record of 84 now. The House was also getting its first two Muslim women, Massachusetts elected its first black congresswoman, and Tennessee got its first female senator. Three candidates had hoped to become their states’ first African-American governors, although just one — Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams — was still in the running. Overall, women voted considerably more in favor of congressional Democratic candidates — with fewer than 4 in 10 voting for Republicans, according to VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 115,000 voters and about 20,000 nonvoters — conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago. In suburban areas where key House races were decided, female voters skewed significantly toward Democrats by a nearly 10-point margin. Democrats celebrated a handful of victories in their “blue wall” Midwestern states, electing or re-electing governors in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where Scott Walker was defeated by the state’s education chief, Tony Evers. The road to a House majority ran through two dozen suburban districts that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. Democrats flipped seats in suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago and Denver. Democrats also reclaimed a handful of blue-collar districts carried by both former President Barack Obama and Trump. The results were more mixed deeper into Trump country. In Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a GOP incumbent to become the first gay Native American woman elected to the House. But in Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Rep. Andy Barr. Trump sought to take credit for retaining the GOP’s Senate majority, even as the party lost control of the House. In a tweet Wednesday, he referred to the election results as a “Big Victory.” History was working against the president in both the House and the Senate. A president’s party has traditionally suffered deep losses in his first midterm election, and 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats. Democrats’ dreams of the Senate majority, always unlikely, were shattered after losses in top Senate battlegrounds: Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, North Dakota and Texas. Some hurt worse than others. In Texas, Sen Ted Cruz staved off a tough challenge from Democrat Beto O’Rourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender. Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to VoteCast, while one-in-four said they voted to express support for Trump. Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good. Twenty-five percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election. Nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote. The president bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant “invasion” that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation. Several
JeffCo voters elect first African-American sheriff, DA
African-Americans have been elected for the first time to two of the top law enforcement positions in Alabama’s most populous county. Jefferson County voters around Birmingham elected black Democrat Mark Pettway as sheriff, turning back a re-election bid from longtime Republican incumbent Mike Hale, who is white. Voters also elected black Democrat Danny Carr as district attorney. He defeated white Republican Mike Anderton, who was appointed to the position last year. The county has about 660,000 residents and is almost evenly split racially. Pettway has spent more than 25 years in law enforcement and has worked for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for nearly two decades. Carr is a longtime prosecutor who was working as chief assistant district attorney. He previously served as district attorney on an interim basis. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Martha Roby takes home a win over opponent Tabitha Isner in Alabama’s 2nd District
Republican Martha Roby easily won a fifth term Tuesday in her re-election bid against opponent, Democrat Tabitha Isner to represent Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Roby leads Isner 61.5 percent to 38.5 percent. Following the win, Roby said she was humbled and deeply grateful to the people of the 2nd District. “I am humbled and deeply grateful to the people who live and work in Alabama’s Second District for once again placing their trust in me to fight for them in Congress. I am proud of the work we have been able to accomplish, and I am eager to continue doing my part to deliver even more results for our military, veterans, farmers, and all of the hardworking Alabamians I represent,” Roby said in a statement. “Each and every day, I wake up and strive to be the best possible representative of our Alabama values in Congress, and I am looking forward to the next two years.” Meanwhile, her opponent took the opportunity to make one last jab at her. “To Martha Roby, I want to say congratulations. You get to keep this job, you didn’t work for it. That’s not an insult because you know as well as I do, Martha, that you didn’t work for this job, because you know as well as I do that your best strategy was to make sure the people in this district thought and talked as little as possible and to win on those grounds in shameful,” Isner said. Located in southeastern Alabama, the district includes Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike counties and a portion of Montgomery County.
Alabama Republican Gary Palmer bests Democrat Danner Kline, wins re-election to House
Republican U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer has won a third term, defeating Democrat and an early leader of Alabama’s craft beer industry Danner Kline in Alabama’s 2nd District. With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, Palmer bested Kline 69.3 to 30.7 percent. Alabama’s 6th Congressional District includes nearly all of Jefferson County outside Birmingham, and the entirety of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Coosa, and Shelby counties.
