Republican CD2 candidate Wallace Gilberry says he learned life lessons from playing football
Republican Second Congressional District (CD2) candidate Wallace Gilberry is reminding voters of his success playing football for the University of Alabama and in the National Football League. “I cut my teeth on the gridiron in Tuscaloosa,” Gilberry said in a recent fundraising email. “I played for Mike Shula and Nick Saban, then made it 9 seasons in the NFL.” “Football – along with my mom and great-grandmother – taught me everything I know,” Gilberry continued. “Like: 1) Bring glory to God on and off the field 2) Play through the whistle 3) Always stand to honor those who keep us free” “My name is Wallace Gilberry,” Gilberry stated. “If you’ve never heard of me, that’s OK – here’s what you should know: I’m a Black man in America who is familiar with the struggles of our community. But I’m also a Republican who voted for Trump. And I’m running in the single most competitive House race in the entire country.” Democrats are hoping that they can flip Alabama’s Second Congressional District from Republican to Democratic after the federal courts redrew the district to make Congressional District 2 48.7 percent Black. Twenty-one candidates, including Gilberry, have qualified to run for the seat. Second District incumbent Congressman Barry Moore was redistricted to Congressional District 1 where he is challenging incumbent Congressman Jerry Carl in the GOP primary. “I’m running against more than a DOZEN far-left Democrats with an army of mega-donors backing them.,” Gilberry said. “I’ve never run for office. They have. I’ve never even sent an email like this before. But I was raised by a single mom who worked 2 jobs to put food on the table for her 5 kids – being an underdog is nothing new to me or my family. So – with grit and determination in my heart – I’m respectfully asking you to pitch in JUST a few bucks now to fuel my underdog campaign to victory. I promise I’ll make you proud when we win it all. God bless you.” Gilberry is a native of Bay Minette in Baldwin County. He grew up as one of five children and was raised by his single mom and his great-grandmother. Gilberry is one of eight Republicans who have qualified for the March 5 primary ballot. State Senator Greg Albritton, former state Senator Dick Brewbaker, real estate attorney Caroleene Dobson, former Congressional staffer turned Mobile restauranteur Karla M. DuPriest, attorney and real estate broker Hampton S. Harris, Stacey T. Shepperson, and Newton city council member Belinda Thomas are the other seven GOP candidates. Thirteen Democrats have qualified to run as well. The eventual Republican and Democratic nominees will face off in the general election on November 5. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Greg Canfield is optimistic about rural Alabama’s long-term economic growth
On Wednesday, Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said, “Rural Alabama looks set for long-term economic growth.” Canfield is set to leave state government at the end of the month. “When I reflect on what we’ve achieved during my tenure at the Alabama Department of Commerce, one of the things I always underline is an increased emphasis on rural development,” Canfield said. “This began with the new strategies we adopted in Accelerate Alabama 2.0, the updated version of our strategic economic development plan. We took a step further in 2019 when Commerce formed its first Office of Rural Development, led by Brenda Tuck.” “Since then, we’ve been on a roll. In the past three-plus years, the economic development team working in Alabama’s rural counties has secured over $4 billion in new capital investment through projects projected to create more than 5,400 jobs,” Canfield continued. “No wonder Governor Kay Ivey hailed this success as “nothing short of remarkable” at a recent summit for the state’s rural developers, organized by Tuck.” “But don’t get caught up in the big numbers related to the rural projects since 2020,” Canfield said. “What’s really important is that these projects have improved communities and changed countless lives for the better in a lasting way. That’s what economic development is all about. And I’m especially proud of what we’ve accomplished in rural Alabama.” Alabama grew between the 2010 and 2020 Censuses, but of the 67 counties, 55 were flat or in decline. Most of the population growth in the state during that period was in Baldwin, Madison, Lee, Limestone, Shelby, Lee, Tuscaloosa, Autauga, and St. Clair Counties, continuing a long-term trend that dates back to at least the Great Depression of children coming of age in rural Alabama and then going on to build their lives elsewhere, whether that is in Alabama or another state. Some counties in Alabama have smaller populations today than they did in 1900. As Alabama has transitioned from agriculture to forestry, there are far fewer farms, and those timber plantations and hunting clubs don’t require the workers that the farms and ranches once did. Even where farm families have held on, the farms have gotten bigger, more mechanized, and support fewer workers than they did in generations past. This has left many small towns across the state in perpetual decline with an aging population whose grandchildren are growing up elsewhere. Gov. Ivey, who grew up on a cattle farm in rural Wilcox County, has made reversing the decline in rural Alabama a goal of her administration, emphasizing economic development in rural areas, an expansion of rural broadband, school improvement, and infrastructure upgrades, including roads, bridges, water systems, and wastewater treatment. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
$30 million EV training center in Alabama will support auto industry growth
Alabama is building a $30 million workforce training center that will focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and emerging technologies, with the goal of positioning the state’s auto industry for the next chapter of its growth. The facility will be on the campus of the Alabama Robotics Technology Park, a $73 million center near Decatur operated by AIDT that helps companies train workers on advanced R&D and manufacturing technologies. “Alabama is already a recognized leader in workforce development, and this training center concentrating on EVs and new technologies will add an important dimension to our capabilities,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “This investment shows that we’re fully committed to making Alabama an even greater force in the global auto industry in the future.” AIDT Director Ed Castile said design work has begun on the planned facility, which is projected to span 40,000 square feet at Robotics Park, where there is room for growth on 40 available acres. The training center is expected to be operational in 18 to 24 months. “Our main goal is to help the state’s automakers continue to grow during the transition to electric powertrains and assist them as they embrace new technologies that are evolving all the time,” said Castile, who also serves as deputy secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “We just want to make sure we have a workforce that has the ability to thrive in this new environment, so it’s a natural extension of what we do at Robotics Park.” Alabama is building a $30 million workforce training center to focus on electric vehicles and new technologies in the auto industry. The facility will be at the Alabama Robotics Technology Park near Decatur. (contributed) New technologies AIDT and the Department of Commerce have been working on developing programs for the new training center, which included visits to EV battery factories in Japan and Europe. A technical committee composed of auto industry leaders and others has also been formed to offer guidance. In addition, a group of academic partners has been assembled as allies to advance the effort. This includes the Alabama Mobility and Power Center at the University of Alabama, the Alabama Community College System, and the state’s K-12 school system. Alabama Power is a partner in the Alabama Mobility and Power Center. “The auto industry is being confronted by the strong headwinds of disruptive technologies today, and it’s vital that we’re prepared to help Alabama’s autoworkers adapt to the industry’s shifting directions,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. Plans for the training center come as Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai have launched production of EVs at their Alabama manufacturing plants, and companies in the EV battery supply chain have begun locating in the state. The activity is expected to accelerate amid massive industry EV investments. The Alabama Legislature approved funding for the new training center during its last session through a bill sponsored by state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur. “Robotics Technology Park has long represented the gold standard for workforce training and a tremendous resource for Alabama and the companies that use it,” Orr said. “That makes it the perfect home for this new facility focusing on advanced automotive technologies, which will ensure an important industry in our state will continue to thrive.” Castile said Alabama-based Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is designing the new training center to be expandable and easy to reconfigure to meet future demands. GMC is familiar with the Robotics Park site, having worked on the three existing training buildings there. Castile believes the center will become a catalyst for auto industry growth in the state. “Alabama’s status is really growing in the automotive industry, and workforce will be a key component as we try to keep up with and even get ahead of what’s going on in the industry. Everything we can come up with that supports the development of our workforce is a step forward,” he said. “I’m confident this is going to be a huge step for us.” A version of this story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.
Kay Ivey announces progress in expanding broadband infrastructure
On Tuesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) kicked off her broadband tour at Oakman Middle School in Walker County. Ivey announced the statewide progress being made in expanding high-speed internet. “As I’ve said many times, our mission to give all Alabamians the ability to access high-speed internet is a journey, not a short trip,” said Gov. Ivey. “I’m proud to say that we’re making great progress across the state, providing more Alabamians with the infrastructural resources required when it comes to 21st-century success in education, health care, business, and the normalcies of everyday life. Expanding our digital infrastructure remains a critical priority for the Ivey Administration.” Ivey was joined at the event by Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper), Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director Kenneth Boswell, state Representative Matt Woods (R-Jasper), state Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley), and Oakman Mayor Cory Franks. The speakers addressed the nearly $12 million in grant and matching funds committed for broadband projects. This work has been completed to give more than 2,200 Waker County residents who are currently unserved the ability to be connected. Participants discussed the overall success of the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund (ABAF). ABAF is funded by the Alabama Legislature. Alabama received $1.4 billion from the U.S. Department of Commerce to help expand broadband access. It supports targeted projects in communities in need of high-speed internet access. These funds, awarded by ADECA, allow internet service providers to execute projects that connect individual households, businesses, community anchor institutions such as libraries and schools, and others to broadband infrastructure. “Through programs we funded in the Alabama Legislature, our state has been able to complete multiple broadband projects in Walker County, with many more currently underway,” said Pro Tem. Reed. “Our unconnected residents need high-speed internet access, and it is imperative that the state of Alabama continues to support projects that give Alabamians the opportunities created by bridging the digital divide. I’ve been proud to support efforts to expand high-speed internet access in the Alabama Senate, and I look forward to continuing working to give Alabamians the access they need.” Since 2018, Alabama has invested approximately $82 million in state dollars through grant awards supporting more than 100 projects through the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. Once all of the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund projects awarded to date have been completed, access to broadband service will be available to more than 72,000 Alabama households, businesses, and community institutions that currently have no option to subscribe. “I’m proud of the efforts we have made at ADECA to support critical broadband projects across the state like the ones happening here in Walker County,” said Director Boswell. “None of these would be possible without the leadership of Governor Kay Ivey and the support of our Legislature. They recognize this critical need and have worked to address it. We still have more to accomplish, but with continued support, Alabama will reach its goal to get all of our citizens connected.” The state has received hundreds of millions of dollars through the American Rescue Plan Act and the infrastructure bill to spend on rural broadband projects. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Flowers: Career politicians, good or bad?
In recent years, candidates for political office have lambasted, run against, and proclaimed that they were not career politicians. Every television ad for someone who has never held office has proudly stated that they are not career politicians. That all sounds good, but is it really good? In my lifetime, the word politician has become synonymous with someone sinister and untrustworthy. In fact, politics has become something that the brightest and best people have come to avoid. That was not the case when I was a boy growing up in Alabama. The most outstanding young men in the state chose to go into public service. Having roots in the state was important towards success for the men who rose to public office. The great Alabama storyteller Katherine Tucker Windham would say, “Alabama is a big front porch.” Boys would grow up with aspirations of being governor, United States senator, or congressman. People in their hometowns would identify young men who were talented and groom them to be future governors or congressmen. A study of Alabama political history will reveal that Alabama has done pretty well over the years in the halls of the United States Congress by electing homegrown boys to be their Representatives in Washington. These gentlemen of bygone years were born, trained, and ready to be the most powerful, erudite, and respected men in Washington. Their paths were laid out to be career politicians. A look back to 60 years ago in Alabama politics reveals that we had the greatest statesmen in our state’s history representing us in Congress. They all amazingly took the same path. Their career path to Congress was textbook. They grew up in their hometown, went to The University of Alabama, continued and went to The University of Alabama School of Law, came back home and practiced law for a short time. They then went to Congress and started building seniority and power in Washington. In 1963, 60 years ago, we had the greatest tandem in history as our two U.S. Senators, Lister Hill and John Sparkman. Senator Hill grew up in Montgomery, graduated from The University of Alabama and then The University of Alabama School of Law. He served the old second district in Congress for a decade and then was elected to the Senate, where he served 30 years. Senator John Sparkman was born in rural Morgan County, graduated from The University of Alabama and then The University of Alabama School of Law. He practiced law for a few years in Huntsville before being elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served 32 years. The man who took Sparkman’s Tennessee Valley Congressional Seat in 1946 was the great Bob Jones. Congressman Jones was from Scottsboro and was one of the state’s greatest congressmen and a savior for the Tennessee Valley. He was a graduate of The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama School of Law. Carl Elliott was in that 1963 class. He was a giant in Washington. Congressman Elliott was born in Red Bay but practiced law in Jasper and called Walker County home. He was a graduate of The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama School of Law. George Andrews was a great Congressman for the old Third District. He served a decade with extreme effectiveness and distinction. Ft. Rucker would not be the mainstay of the Wiregrass if it were not for George Andrews. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law. He was born and raised in the third district. Congressman George Grant served the old second district with distinction for 28 years. He followed Lister Hill in this seat. He was born and raised in the district and practiced law in Troy before going to Congress. He was a product of The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama School of Law. Albert Rains represented the Gadsden area for decades in Congress. He was a power. He was successful in business and banking concurrently with his Congressional career. He graduated from The University of Alabama School of Law. George Huddleston Jr. represented the Birmingham area with distinction during this era. He had a law degree from The University of Alabama and was a prominent lawyer before going to Congress. The great Black Belt Congressman, Armistead Selden, was a freshman in that 1963 group. He was a graduate of Sewanee and The University of Alabama School of Law. These men, who made up the Congressional delegation representing us in Washington in 1963, will be remembered in the annals of Alabama history as some of Alabama’s greatest and most powerful public servants. Their game plan was to be a public servant. Therefore, you might say they were pretty good career politicians. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Katie Britt leads legislation to limit federal oversight into state-regulated insurance industry
On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) led 16 of her Senate colleagues in introducing the Insurance Data Protection Act. This legislation would overrule a recent effort by the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) to step into the state-regulated insurance industry, including its proposed “Climate-Related Financial Risk Data Collection.” Britt said that the bill would eliminate the FIO Director’s subpoena authority. For over a century, the insurance industry was regulated by the states. That changed somewhat when the FIO was created in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. That Obama-era legislation does include an explicit provision stating that the Office does not have general supervisory or regulatory authority over the insurance business, which is supervised and regulated on a state-by-state basis across the United States. Senator Britt’s legislation clarifies that FIO does not need subpoena power since it is intended to function as an informational body. The bill would also require that the FIO coordinate any data collection efforts with state insurance regulators and assess all publicly available data and sources regarding the data being sought. These provisions would limit unnecessary data inquiries and prevent duplicative efforts across the state and federal landscapes. The bill would also set forth confidentiality procedures and requirements governing how data can be used by financial regulators if collected from insurers. This would ensure consumers’ information remains secure. “Our state insurance regulators have more than proven their ability to effectively and responsibly supervise the American insurance industry for over a century,” said Senator Britt. “FIO should work with, not around, state insurance officials. Not only is FIO overstepping its lawful authority and trampling on Congressional intent, but the office is also utilizing private insurance data to advance the Biden Administration’s leftwing Green New Deal agenda. This commonsense legislation would ensure the state-regulated insurance market remains strong, prevent redundant and unnecessary data reporting that would needlessly cost millions of dollars, and protect consumers’ sensitive information.” This legislation has been cosponsored by Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-South Carolina). “As a former insurance agent, I know firsthand the importance of our state-based insurance regulation regime that has resulted in highly competitive and fair markets across the country – addressing local issues with local solutions,” said Sen. Scott. “That’s why I’ve been alarmed by the Federal Insurance Office’s (FIO) efforts to overstep its authority and push the Biden administration’s radical climate agenda. This important bill will reign in the administration’s climate activists, ensure greater coordination between FIO and state insurance regulators, and protect both consumers’ and insurers’ data.” Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) have all signed on to cosponsor the legislation. The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Association for Independent Agents (Big I), and Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) have endorsed this legislation. FIO is an office within the Treasury Department created by Dodd-Frank to monitor the insurance sector and help provide information to policymakers and state regulators, as needed, without regulatory authority. The climate risk assessments the FIO is collecting were requested in the President’s climate executive order and would require over 200 private insurance companies (over 70% of the homeowners’ insurance market) to provide to FIO highly-detailed data (broken down by zip code) regarding the effect of climate-related catastrophes on insurance availability and affordability for Americans. On November 1st, the Treasury announced its intention to move ahead with this data call. “Americans are facing growing challenges from extreme weather events caused by climate change,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement about the FIO collection project. “The resulting data and analyses will help policymakers inform potential approaches to improving insurance availability and affordability for consumers.” While federal officials continue pushing for more detailed climate data from insurers, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) emphasizes climate concerns during its annual fall meeting. The Climate and Resiliency Task Force is expected to adopt a National Climate Resilience Strategy for Insurance to stabilize the insurance market. “It’s part of our overarching mission to manage risks, ensure the availability and reliability of insurance products, promote insurer solvency, and close protection gaps,” the strategy reads. “Our work to identify, assess, and communicate risk and risk reduction solutions, as well as to improve oversight of the insurance sector, has positioned state insurance regulators to implement a climate resilience strategy.” Katie Britt is a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Gerrick Wilkins survives attempted candidate challenge
The Alabama Republican Party candidates committee met on Sunday to hear challenges to candidates on the GOP ballot. Sources say that there was a challenge brought against the candidacy of Gerrick Wilkins. Wilkins is running for Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District. Wilkins has been charged with making a contribution to the Libertarian party. A search of the Federal Elections Commission website revealed that Wilkins had donated $250 to the Libertarian National Committee on September 5, 2022. Most of Wilkins’ contributions are to Republican candidates and causes. Wilkins has made numerous political contributions over the years, including to the Alabama Republican Party, Donald Trump for President in 2024, Tim Scott for President, Ron DeSantis for President, John McCain for President in 2008, Fred Thompson for President, and the Republican Party of Florida. The Alabama Republican Party State Executive Committee made a bylaws change in 2022 to forbid a person who donates to Democratic, independent, and third-party candidates from running as a Republican. Wilkins’s contribution to the Libertarian Party was after this prohibition was placed on supporting non-Republican campaigns. People who have donated to non-Republican campaigns and groups are barred from running for office as a Republican for five years. Sources close to the ALGOP told Alabama Today that the candidate’s committee would meet in Birmingham on Sunday to hear the challenge against Wilkins. The committee reportedly voted 9 to 8 not to formally challenge Wilkins’ eligibility to run as a Republican. Election challenges will be heard on December 10. The Wilkins campaign dismissed the allegations, saying that he has far more donations to Republican candidates than he did to Libertarians. A source close to ALGOP told Alabama Today that the bylaw prevents potential candidates from donating to non-Republican candidates. Wilkins did not do that. He actually donated to the Libertarian Party. That is not forbidden in the new bylaws change. The ALGOP candidates committee is the 21-member Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee. Wilkins’ victory in the closed-door GOP meeting in Hoover means he can remain on the ballot. Wilkins, a car dealer, will face incumbent Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) and independent insurance agent Ken McFeeters in the March 5 Republican Primary. The eventual Republican nominee will face Democrat Elizabeth Anderson in the November 5 general election. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Attorney General Steve Marshall opposes proposed foster family policy
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall led a coalition of 19 states opposing President Joe Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families’ proposed rule, Safe and Appropriate Foster Care Placement Requirements for Titles IV-E and IV-B. Federal law requires that state and tribal Title IV–E/IV–B agencies ensure that each child in foster care receives “safe and proper” care and has a case plan that addresses the specific needs of the child while in foster care to support their health and well-being. The proposed rule would require states to label certain foster care providers as “safe,” or by omission, “unsafe,” based on the degree to which LGBTQ children would be affirmed in their sexual orientation or gender identity. Marshall and other AGs believe the proposed policy presents serious concerns for faith-based foster care providers and families with traditional viewpoints. Given the high correlation between persons of faith and foster care, the proposed rule could threaten to directly harm children in need by limiting the number of available foster homes, risk kinship placements, and increase costs for states. “Since the first century, Christians across the globe have answered the call to provide a home and a family to children who had neither. Alabama boasts a particularly strong faith-based foster care and adoption community, and I will fight this Administration for them every step of the way,” said Attorney General Marshall. “Joe Biden continues to harass our State and others like it by implicitly threatening to withhold federal funding for children in need if we do not conform to his ideology, but our values are not for sale.” According to the rule proposal, “LGBTQI+ children are overrepresented in the foster care population. One recent confidential survey revealed that 32 percent of foster children ages 12–21 surveyed report that they identify as having a diverse sexual orientation or gender identity. A recent study using nationally representative survey data found that youth with a minority sexual orientation, such as lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth, are nearly 2.5 times as likely as heterosexual youth to experience a foster care placement.” The proposal stated, “A meaningful body of research demonstrates that LGBTQI+ children in foster care face disproportionately worse outcomes and experiences than other children in foster care due to their specific health and well-being needs are often unmet.” The federal proposal, however, states, “Under this proposed rule, agencies must ensure that a safe and appropriate placement is available for and provided to any child in foster care who identifies as LGBTQI+ and requests such a placement. The NPRM proposes to require agencies to ensure that the totality of their child welfare system includes sufficient placements for LGBTQI+ children that meet these standards, but would not require that every provider become designated as a safe and appropriate placement for LGBTQI+ children.” Marshall believes that if enacted, the proposed rule would deter faith-based individuals and organizations from participating in the foster care system, further reducing the number of available foster homes. According to the rule, in order for a foster home to be considered a “safe and appropriate placement,” the foster parents must use the child’s identified pronouns and chosen name, allow the child to dress in ways the child believes reflects his or her self-identified gender identity and expression, and facilitate access to “gender-affirming” medical care. However, the proposal also states, “If a provider alleges that any obligation that this proposed rule as finalized requires a state or tribe to impose substantially burdens the provider’s religious exercise, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will apply the test set out by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to determine whether an exemption is required. Under RFRA, when Federal action substantially burdens an individual or entity’s exercise of religion, the Federal government must afford that individual or entity an exemption to the rule unless the government can demonstrate that applying the burden in that particular instance furthers a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of doing so.” The letter was led by Attorney General Marshall and signed by attorneys general in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
