Candidate profile: Chad ‘Chig’ Martin, Independent candidate for Governor
Chad ‘Chig’ Martin, the lone write-in candidate hoping to make his way to the Governor’s office, will face-off against two heavy-hitters in the Nov. 6. general election: incumbent Governor, Republican Kay Ivey and Democratic Walt Maddox. While Martin lacks the name ID of his two competitors, the real question is: who is he? And what does he hope to accomplish? Independent candidate Chad ‘Chig’ Martin: Martin’s root are firmly planted in Alabama. He was born in Enterprise in 1968 to Glyn and Evelyn Martin — successful, small business owners who have run Martin Mobile Homes since the late 60s. After high school, Martin received a full football scholarship to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and completed his degree in 1991. Martin returned to Alabama after college and now, following in his parent’s entrepreneurial footsteps, owns three businesses. After working as an outside sales representative for 12 years, he decided to start his first business venture, Thunder Industrial Inc., from his home and ultimately turned it into over a million dollar company. Now the Dothan, Ala.-based maintenance products and repair parts company is starting it’s twelfth year and conducts business in over 40 states and three countries. He also has his own nationally-sold hat linethat’s represented asChad “Chig” Martin brand. Additionally, he’s the owner and operator of Chig Daddi Entertainment. After a conversation with a young school teacher and discovering that this young lady had to furnish and pay for general classroom supplies out of her own pocket, Martin decided then, that something had to be done and filed papers with the Secretary of State’s office in January to run as an Independent Governor of Alabama. Here Martin is in his own words: My campaign’s basic principles include putting the state government in the hands of our citizens not special interest or political parties and including letting our citizens have the opportunity to vote on the legality of lottery, medical marijuana and casino gambling. I also want to recruit industry without giving incentives that rob from the core of our state. I want to strengthen the Second Amendment by protecting citizens that have to use justified deadly force to protect their homes and family by having a quick and speedy investigatory and legal process when obvious signs of home invasion are present. I NEVER want our teachers to spend a dime out of their own pockets for basic classroom supplies. We have to improve on the non existent mental health situation in the state of Alabama. I want to make all decisions based off of what is in the best interest of our state without being pressured from a party or special interest group. I am a simple common sense man. This campaign is about WE and not ME. Martin has yet to file any campaign finance reports declaring campaign donations. You can follow his campaign on his website and Facebook.
Sue Bell Cobb kicks-off gubernatorial campaign, opens HQ in Montgomery
With three months to go until the Democratic primary, former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb kicked-off her campaign for governor Monday at her new campaign headquarters in Montgomery, Ala. “Please join me as we kick-off this journey and open the doors to our statewide office. With your support, we can make sure the governor’s office is exactly like my campaign headquarters: open to every Alabamian,” Cobb said ahead of her campaign kick-off. At the event, Cobb discussed her what priorities as Governor will be. Among them, is the creation of the Lifelong Learner Lottery with all revenue committed to education and safe from the whims of legislators. Mississippi and Nevada, that collect millions in taxes on casinos, are the only other states in the lower 48 that do not have a lottery. Under Cobb’s proposal, new funding would be used for first-class educational childcare, state-of-the-art career tech education to prepare our workforce for 21st Century jobs and attract businesses, and to fill the gap left by Pell Grants, so Alabama students of any age who qualify for Pell Grants can attend college without worrying about tuition. “Education is the key to a bright future, for the individual and for our state,” said Cobb “That is exactly why my proposal focuses lottery revenues on those learners of any age who stand to benefit most.” Cobb was elected the first female Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, where she made Alabama the first state in the nation to implement electronic filing of all court cases, saving judges and court personnel hundreds of hours of work, and Alabama taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. During her time on the court, she also implemented drug courts in 66 of 67 counties, saving abusers and their victims by breaking the cycle of jail and addiction. Cobb is hoping to follow in the footsteps of recently elected Sen. Doug Jones — winning a statewide office as a Democrat. Taking a dig at Jones’ Republican opponent, Roy Moore, from the fall’s contentious U.S. Senate special election, Cobb concluded her speech saying, “Here’s my promise: I will not embarrass you. I will not let you down.”
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox joins crowded 2018 Gubernatorial field
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox officially announced he will run for governor of Alabama next year in a video announcement Thursday morning. In the video, Maddox said his announcement was “not a celebration” but “a call to action.” He went on to explain that the state has a “crisis in our leadership” as evidenced by the many political scandals in the past year, referencing the exits of former Gov. Robert Bentley, former House Speaker Mike Hubbard and former Ala. Chief Justice Roy Moore. “In the past 18 months, the Governor, the Speaker, the Chief Justice, and the Majority Leader have left office in shame. And, when courage was required, silence was the only response from Montgomery’s leaders,” Maddox said in a press release. “The crisis of leadership has led to a crisis in state government where Alabama still ranks near the bottom in every quality of life indicator from education to health care. Preserving the status quo is not a strategy for creating a brighter future for all Alabamians.” Maddox says he will rebuild faith in state government, rebuild the state for new and higher paying jobs, rebuild the state’s education and health care system, as well as the state’s infrastructure. Three months ago, Maddox announced the formation of a committee to explore seeking the state’s highest office as a Democrat and wait until 2018 to decide whether or not he was going to run. On Thursday Maddox said “the time for exploration is over.” Since his announcement, 319 individuals invested in his exploratory campaign — more than any declared candidate for governor during the same time period. Maddox, 44, has served Tuscaloosa’s mayor since 2005. He’s a graduated of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in public administration. He is the second high-profile Democrat to join the crowded field of gubernatorial hopefuls, joining former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb in seeking the Democratic nomination. On the other side of the aisle, Gov. Kay Ivey, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan, evangelist Scott Dawson, Mobile state Sen. Bill Hightower, state corrections officer Stacy George, Birmingham businessman Joshua Jones are seeking the Republican Party’s nomination. Watch Maddox’s video announcement below:
Kay Ivey announces she’s seeking a full term in office, joins crowded GOP field
Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced her decision to seek election as Governor in 2018, and will officially kickoff the campaign some time in the fall. “Four months ago, I was sworn in as the fifty governor of the state of Alabama,” Ivey said in a statement. “There hasn’t been a more humbling moment in my life. That so many of you have supported and prayed for me and my team means the world — and it’s our highest honor to serve you.” Ivey, the former lieutenant governor, became Alabama’s second female governor in April following form Gov. Robert Bentley‘s resignation amid growing scandal. She is currently completing the remainder of his term, which ends in 2018. “I took over at one of that darkest times in our state’s memory. I’m proud to say we’ve steadied the ship,” Ivey explained. “I’m proud of the fact that over $1 billion in investment have been pledged to the state since I took office and thousands of new jobs have been created – those are families’ lives who have been forever changed.” She continued, “Unemployment in Alabama has dropped to 4.5 percent – over a full percentage lower than at this time last year. More people in Alabama are working today than in a decade. Folks know that Alabama is now open for business. We’re going to keep the foot on the gas and get more jobs and more investment for our state.” In recent months Ivey has been quietly preparing her candidacy. According to campaign finance reports, she’s raised over $1 million for her gubernatorial run. She joins a crowded field of Republican challengers that include Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington, evangelist Scott Dawson, Sen. Bill Hightower, Birmingham businessmanJosh Jones and former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy Lee George. “I welcome Governor Ivey to the discussions we have been having over the last few months — conversations about jobs, infrastructure and education,” Battle said in a statement following Ivey’s announcement. The gubernatorial election is scheduled for Nov. 6, 2018 with both party’s primaries scheduled for June 5, 2018.
Walt Maddox to wait until 2018 to announce decision on gubernatorial bid
Democrat and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox on Tuesday announced he has yet to decide whether or not he will run for governor in 2018, and that he will make his final decision by mid-January. “As I have traveled the state and spoken with many Alabamians, it is evident that Montgomery has failed. Behind these failures, our rural healthcare system is collapsing, our infrastructure is failing, and our education system is struggling to compete with surrounding states,” Maddox said in a statement on his website. “From healthcare to education, from infrastructure to job creation, we are running out of time to forge a new Alabama.” Maddox, who has served as mayor since 2005, was re-elected to a fourth-term in March, went on to say he is investing $50,000 of his own money to continue the exploratory process toward a potential gubernatorial bid. “To that end, and with great excitement, we are investing $50,000 of our own money to continue this momentum forward,” Maddox added. Also seeking the Democratic nomination for governor are Jason Childs, former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Sue Bell Cobb, Christopher Countryman and minister Anthony White. Seeking the GOP nomination for governor are sitting Governor Kay Ivey, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington, evangelist Scott Dawson, Sen. Bill Hightower, Birmingham businessman Josh Jones and former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy Lee George. The gubernatorial primaries will be June 5, 2018. The gubernatorial election will take place Nov. 6, 2018.
Kay Ivey prepping for 2018 run behind the scenes
Sitting Republican Gov. Kay Ivey may be gearing up to announce she is running for election in her own right next year. Ivey ascended to the Governor’s Mansion in April after former Republican Gov. Robert Bentley resigned the office amid controversy. Since taking over the office, she has enjoyed some of the highest approval and lowest disapproval ratings among sitting governors nationwide. Ivey publicly weighed in on her 2018 plans in June, when she told reporters she would wait until the fall to announce whether she would run, but announcements from another would-be candidate may have telegraphed the longtime elected official’s next move. Anniston Republican Sen. Del Marsh, whose gubernatorial aspirations are well-known, announced last week that he would run for re-election to the senate, and even added that he looked forward to working with Kay Ivey in the future “if she decides to run” for a full term. Later in the week, Ivey reportedly made “the call” to several big names in the business community and state legislature to tell them of her intentions. While the content of those calls was not confirmed, Ivey spokesman Daniel Sparkman said the sitting governor “is considering her options” and that she “plans to decide in the near future.” The speed at which she decides could be influenced by Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, who is already in the race and is currently leading the pack in fundraising. Whether or not Ivey can slow Battle down on the fundraising trail, she could likely look forward to racking up some early wins on the trail by forcing her competitors to change their tack. So far, most of the 2018 crop has run on bringing honor and credibility back to the Governor’s Mansion — a strategy that would have played well directly following Bentley, but which is likely to fall flat running against a governor with approval ratings like Ivey’s.
Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh raises most funds via grassroots support in gubernatorial race
After her second month of fundraising, gubernatorial-hopeful and president of the state’s Public Service Commission, Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, has raised the more funds for her campaign via grassroots than her opponents. Her campaign has received donations from 217 unique individuals and businesses representing 59 different Alabama hometowns across 30 counties. This gives Cavanaugh the largest number of donors, Alabama hometowns, and Alabama counties since the beginning of fundraising. Cavanaugh’s median donation is $100, and 55% of her individual donors are women. As of August 1st, Cavanaugh has $582,585.35 cash on hand. “We are extremely proud to have a team that represents every region of our great state,” said Cavanaugh. “Our state needs to see real conservative solutions when it comes to jobs, the economy, infrastructure (including rural broadband), education, the drug epidemic, eliminating government waste, and much more. With high- energy conservative leadership, together, we will build a brighter Alabama for our children and grandchildren.” The 2018 gubernatorial election will take place on November 6, 2018, to elect the Governor of Alabama. Incumbent Republican Governor Kay Ivey, who took office on April 10 upon the resignation of former-Gov. Robert Bentley, is eligible to seek a full term, but has yet to announce whether or not she will run.
Jim Zeigler says Jeff Sessions could dominate Alabama governor’s race
With U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in President Donald Trump‘s crosshairs, one Alabama politician has an idea for the former Alabama senator should he ultimately resign or be fired — he could return to the Yellowhammer State and run for governor in the 2018 state elections. According to State Auditor Jim Zeigler, who’s considering a gubernatorial run himself, Sessions would “be the instant frontrunner and clear out many candidates. “Sessions for governor could possibly scare out Gov. Kay Ivey, Mayor Tommy Battle, Twinkle Cavanaugh, John McMillan and me,” Zeigler said. “There would likely only be nominal candidates to oppose Sessions.” Zeigler filed an exploratory campaign for governor last month after he passed the $1,000 threshold requiring filing with the secretary of state. But he says a Sessions’ candidacy would mean the end of his own exploratory campaign. “Sessions has missed the deadline to run as a Republican for his old senate seat. A write-in campaign in the August 15 primary is extremely difficult and is not Sessions’ style,” continued Zeigler. “A campaign as an independent in the December 12 general election would require 35,000 signatures by August 15. It would also create a risk of splitting the Republican vote and giving the seat to a Democrat.” “I do not expect a 2017 campaign by Sessions.” Thus enter the idea of Sessions running for governor. Over a year away, there’s still an easy on-ramp for Sessions to jump into the race. Should he join the crowded field, Zeigler says he would withdraw his potential candidacy, in which case he would seek re-election as state auditor.
Twinkle Cavanaugh raises $69,000 in governor’s race, ends month with most cash on hand
Alabama’s 2018 race for governor may still be more than a year away, but the competition for grassroots support and campaign donations is well underway. Republican-hopeful, Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh —who has set up a fundraising account in March, but has yet to make an official announcement to run — has already raked in $69,000 to support her potential run. With donations from more than 170 unique individuals and businesses representing 43 different Alabama hometowns, Cavanaugh has the largest number of donors and Alabama hometowns on the June financial disclosure reports, with $100 as the median donation Since forming a the campaign finance committee, she has criss-crossed the Yellowhammer State listening to concerns and gauging the support for her campaign. “I’ve been humbled and encouraged by the support I’ve received from Alabamians in every corner of our state,” said Cavanaugh. “We need a high-energy conservative governor that will move our state forward, which is why I’m 100% committed to winning this election. With a strong team of supporters, together, we will build a brighter Alabama for our children and grandchildren.” Cavanaugh and her husband also made a $500,000 personal investment in her campaign for governor — making her official announcement to run all but inevitable. The transaction gives Cavanaugh the largest war chest among all candidates running for governor in 2018, with a total of $564,806.51 in her campaign account. “Stay tuned,” Cavanaugh added. “We have the momentum, and our team will continue to grow every day.”
Steve Flowers: Looking at the thoroughbreds in governor’s derby
The race for our open U.S. Senate seat will be the marquee political event for the remainder of this year. It will be a great show. However, we have a sensational and pivotal 2018 governor’s race evolving simultaneously. This much-anticipated gubernatorial derby will be affected by the preliminary Senate horse race. The political landscape has changed dramatically with the decisive move by new Governor Kay Ivey to call for the election of Jeff Sessions’ successor to the Senate this year. Unlike in olden days where running a preliminary statewide race was a steppingstone to getting elected four years later, in recent years, losing statewide is not good — especially if that loss has occurred within less than six months. Therefore, three or more thoroughbreds are removed from the governor’s race. One will be in the Senate and the other two will be exiled to Buck’s Pocket and will not be players in the governor’s race. You can remove Roy Moore, Luther Strange and any unknown wealthy person, who can and will spend 5 to 10 million dollars of their own money. This unknown rich man will either be Senator or gone from the scene. Roy Moore’s removal from the governor’s race is the most significant change to the gubernatorial track. His evangelical base, which probably accounts for 20-30 percent of a GOP primary vote, will be splintered among the field. As I peruse the horses grazing in the pasture, let’s take a look at them because the race begins in less than a month, with fundraising for the June 2018 primaries beginning June 6. Before I mention some horses, who look to be front-runners, let me say that most of these folks ain’t ponies. Kay Ivey is 72. She would have probably gone out to pasture had she not become governor. With 18 months as governor she begins to look very gubernatorial. If she decides to run, she will be running as the incumbent and will be a viable horse, if not the front-runner. Huntsville Mayor, Tommy Battle, 61, is going to be a player in this race. He has done an exemplary job as mayor of Alabama’s most important and successful city. Folks, if we did not have Huntsville, we would be last in everything. Battle is popular in his neck of the woods and will come out of the Tennessee Valley with a good many votes. The “Yella Fella,” Jimmy Rane, 70, may make the race for governor. He is a successful businessman worth $600 million, according to Forbes Magazine. His business success has not gone to his head. He is and would come across as a “good ole guy.” Jack Hawkins, the 72-year-old Chancellor of the Troy University System, would be the best-qualified person to be governor. If you put his resume into a merit system roster, the computer would print out his name. He would also be an attractive candidate. Besides building and presiding over a university system for 30 years, he is tall, handsome, and very articulate and exudes honesty and integrity. He would also be the only Marine in the race. David Carrington, 69, is a Jefferson County Commissioner and successful businessman. He could garner significant support from the Birmingham business community. He also should have some name identification from being seen on Birmingham television for six years. John McMillan, 75, is one of the best-liked and successful statewide officeholders in Alabama. He has had a stellar eight-year reign as Agriculture Commissioner. John is a native of Baldwin County, which is one of Alabama’s fastest growing and largest Republican counties. If there is a large field, a strong vote in his home county could catapult him into a runoff. What about the other statewide officeholders? Twinkle Cavanaugh and John Merrill are younger than the aforementioned horses. At 50, they could sit out this race and come back either four or eight years later. Most observers expect Twinkle to run for Lt. Governor. She would be a favorite in that race. John Merrill probably stays another term as Secretary of State, which is prudent. If he and Twinkle bide their time, they would be the front-runners for governor next time around. Two older horses in secondary statewide office are question marks. Young Boozer, 68, is term-limited from running again for Treasurer. He is mum on his plans. State Auditor Jim Ziegler, 68, has garnered a lot of press the last few years from that benign office. Folks would be wise to not underestimate him. However, his best race would be for Attorney General. He would enter as the favorite in that race. See you next week. ___ Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state Legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Tommy Battles launches first campaign ad for gubernatorial run
Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Battle released his first campaign ad in conjunction with announcing his gubernatorial run on Friday. The 2-minute ad, titled “Battle for Alabama,” is an introduction of sorts narrated by Battle himself explaining that he’s a lifelong conservative, small business owner, and has served as the mayor of the city of Huntsville for the past eight years. He makes the argument that “for too long, the people of Alabama have seen our values come under attack.” “Recently those attacks have been coming from the leaders we’ve elected to fight for us,” Battle says in the ad. “Alabama has been given corruption instead of opportunity. Scandal instead of education. Embarrassment instead of pride. Our state’s challenges are real and they can’t wait. Politicians talk. Leaders get things done. It’s time we have a governor who talks less, listens to our people and gets things done… it’s time we make Alabama stronger for all of us.” Battle is one of only two candidates to have officially announced they’re running for the position. Morgan County resident Stacy George also announced his candidacy earlier this month. “This campaign isn’t going to be against anyone,” Battle adds in the spot. “It’s going to be for Alabama.” Watch the entire ad below:
Steve Flowers: Handicapping the ‘great show’ Senate Special Election
The decisive move by newly minted Governor, Kay Ivey, to declare a Special Election for the Jeff Sessions’ Senate Seat this year rather than next year changes the entire complexion of who will sit in that coveted seat. It also redefines the landscape of an ever changing and pivotal Alabama political scene. This next year will be an adventure as we elect a Senator and concurrently the 2018 Governor’s Race will begin its evolution. We have already seen the downfall of a sitting governor this year and by Sept. 26, we will see the election of a new junior U.S. Senator. There is an assumption that only a Republican can win statewide office in Alabama and winning the GOP primary is tantamount to election. The decision by Governor Ivey was the right decision. Most folks would assume that “forthwith” means this year rather than next year. It was also a wise political move by Ms. Ivey if she wants to run for a full term. Ivey’s calling for the Special Election for Sessions’ seat immediately, could be the death knell for Luther Strange. By December, he may go from being the newest and tallest member of the U.S. Senate to the shortest serving senator in Alabama history. His defeat could be very inglorious and humiliating. With the election being this year, it will be the only show in town. It will be a spectacle. Every politician who is in any office can run without risking his or her current posts. In other words, everyone has a free shot. Therefore, it will be a free-for-all. Everyone will run against poor Big Luther and the Bentley taint. They will use their campaign resources to give you the unmitigated details of how Luther got put in that seat by ole Bentley. You will be told so many times that Bentley and Luther got together in a backroom with Rebekah and brokered a deal to sell Luther the Senate seat in return for Luther not prosecuting Bentley and Rebekah that you will know the story by heart. Luther will be as tarnished and feathered as ole Bentley. In about two weeks, when the Washington PAC’s see the polling that reveals Luther is in trouble, his campaign resources will be less than he expected and he may not be able to defend against the onslaught of negative ads. The question becomes, who will be the early frontrunners? Roy Moore enters as the favorite. His evangelical base becomes crystallized in a large field. It will probably reserve him a place in the Sept. 26 run-off. Who will be the other candidate in the runoff? It may very well not be Luther Strange. The U.S. Senate is a select club. A cursory look around the chamber reveals very wealthy people or celebrities. Senate seats are bought by wealthy individuals in a good many cases. We have some people in Alabama who could very easily buy the Senate seat. The short period of time that exists to raise money for an Aug. 15 election even further enhances the advantage for someone who can self-finance and write a big check. The name on most lists is the “Yella Fella,” Jimmy Rane. He would sell. He is a natural salesman. Folks close to Yella Fella get the feeling that he does not want to go to Washington at this time in his life. However, he is adamant and determined that Luther Strange will not remain in the seat. Therefore, he may bankroll another candidate through a super PAC. Rumor has it that he will get behind Del Marsh. Marsh has his own money also. However, he needs more money because he is totally unknown to Alabama voters. I will keep you posted on the developments. I do not know how many of these folks will join the fray but this is how I will handicap the horses at this time. Jimmy Rane and Roy Moore are one and two. Other possibilities are Congressman Robert Aderholt, Congressman Bradley Byrne, Luther Strange, Secretary of State John Merrill, Congressman Mo Brooks, State Auditor Jim Ziegler, State Sen. Del Marsh, Trump Trumpeter Perry Hooper Jr., State Sen. Slade Blackwell, State Sen. Trip Pittman, ADECA Director Jim Byard, State Senator Arthur Orr, and State Rep. Ed Henry. It will be a great show. See you next week. ••• Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state Legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
