Judge dismisses Troy King’s lawsuit against Steve Marshall
Attorney General candidate Troy King’s efforts to stop his opponent Steve Marshall’s ability to spend questionable campaign donations fell apart on Thursday when a Montgomery judge, Circuit Judge James Anderson, dismissed a lawsuit King filed against Marshall. It all began Monday, when in an eleventh hour effort kit announced a lawsuit he filed against Marshall — just one week before voters hit the polls to cast their ballots in the primary runoff election on July 17. King alleged that Marshall accepted $700,000 from the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) political action committee and that the group uses money from other PAC’s to fund their own PAC; violating Alabama’s PAC to PAC money laws. King then sued Marshall on Wednesday, attempting to deter Marshall from spending the contributions. “Now, during the 2017 election cycle, according to RAGA’s public filings with the Internal Revenue Service, the RAGA’s PAC has again accepted a number of contributions from other PACs, including, earlier this year, nearly $16,000 from the J.P. Morgan PAC plus another $50,000 in PAC contributions in the last quarter of 2017. RAGA’s PAC has now, during the election cycle, made hundreds of thousands of dollars of contributions to Steve Marshall for Alabama, Inc,” said King’s lawsuit, according to WHNT. But Thursday afternoon a Montgomery judge, Circuit Judge James Anderson, dismissed the lawsuit, and denied King’s request for a restraining order against Marshall. “Anderson said the Republican PAC is federally regulated and questioned how he and state law would have jurisdiction over transfers that happened in another state,” the Associated Press reported. After the ruling, Marshall’s campaign released a statement accusing King of abusing the judicial process to stage a political stunt. “He did so routinely as AG and Republicans fired him in 2010 because of it,” the Montgomery Advertiser reported. “We are glad the court has confirmed this and look forward to getting back to the issues Alabama voters actually care about in the final days of this campaign.”
2018 runoff election ad round-up: July 13 edition
The July 17 runoff election is only four days away and Alabama’s candidates have taken to the internet and the airwaves with campaign ads in hopes of swaying Yellowhammer State voters to their side. This week Republican Lieutenant Governor candidates Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh and Will Ainsworth are back at it again with the negative ads. Meanwhile Incumbent Attorney General Steve Marshall has been fighting his own battle with Troy King this week, calling him out in his new ad. While some campaigns have turned negative, Judge Michelle Thomason, Christy Edwards, and Martha Roby have chosen to focus their ads on their own merits. Lieutenant Governor Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh: Title: Ainsworth’s Real Record Published: July 6, 2018 Tone: Malicious Will Ainsworth: Title: Believe Published: July 10, 2018 Tone: Thoughtful Attorney General Steve Marshall: Title: Fake News Published: July 9, 2018 Tone: Frustrated Civil Appeals Court: Place 1 Michelle Thomason: Title: Judge Michelle Thomason Published: July 12, 2018 Tone: Laudatory Michelle Thomason: Title: Judge Michelle Thomason Published: July 12, 2018 Tone: Nostalgic Christy Edwards: Title: Christy Edwards Runoff Published: July 9, 2018 Tone: Sincere U.S. Congressional District 2 Martha Roby: Title: Numbers Published: June 9, 2018 Tone: Frank
Five days until runoff election, final day for absentee ballot: get voting information here
With the Alabama runoff election only five days away voters in the Yellowhammer State need to know where to vote, and who’s on their ballot. Absentee ballots are available for those who cannot be physically present to vote, but today, July 12 is the last day to complete an application. According to the Secretary of State’s office here’s how to apply for an absentee ballot: To obtain an absentee ballot, write or visit the local Absentee Election Manager (usually the Circuit Clerk), request an absentee ballot, and provide the following: name and residential address (or other such information in order to verify voter registration) election for which the ballot is requested reason for absence from polls on election day party choice, if the election is a party primary. (It is not necessary to give a party choice for a general election; however, in a party primary a voter may participate in only one political party’s primary; thus a choice must be designated so that the appropriate ballot can be provided. If the voter declines or fails to designate a choice for a primary or primary runoff ballot, the absentee election manager may send only the ballot for constitutional amendments.) address to which the ballot should be mailed voter signature (If a mark is made in place of a signature, it must be witnessed) The absentee ballot application must be returned to the Absentee Election Manager by the voter in person (or by the voter’s designee in the case of medical emergency voting) or by U.S. Mail. No absentee ballot application may be mailed in the same envelope as another voter’s absentee ballot application. Here are the links to the statewide runoff candidate’s campaign websites: Lieutenant Governor’s race: Will Ainsworth Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh Attorney General’s race: Troy King Steve Marshall Commission of Agriculture and Industries race: Gerald Dial Rick Pate Supreme Court place 1 race: Brad Mendheim Sarah Stewart Civil Appeals Court, place 1 race: Christy Edwards Michelle Thomason Criminal Appeals Court, place 2 race: Rich Anderson Chris McCool Sample Ballots: Jefferson County – Republican: Jefferson County – Democratic: Madison County – Republican: Madison County – Democratic: Mobile County – Republican: Montgomery County – Republican: Montgomery County – Democratic:
Here’s how much statewide runoff candidates have raised, spent since the primary
The July 17 runoff elections less than a week away. Campaign finance reports have been filed weekly with the Secretary of State’s office since the June 5 primary. Looking a them now serves as a good marker of how much support candidates are receiving, and how much money they’re spending on their campaigns in hopes of cinching their party’s nomination. Recap of the month Statewide runoff races have taken a negative turn with Lt. Governor candidates Will Ainsworth and Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh firing shots back and forth at one another via television ads. Restarting their campaigns following the tragic death of Steve Marshall‘s wife Bridgette Genery Marshall, Marshall’s opponent Troy King vowed to keep on message of his political record and qualifications going forward. However, on Monday he filed a complaint against Marshall with the Alabama Ethics Commission, accusing Marshall and his staff of accepting PAC-to-PAC money despite the state’s ban. Even the race for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries took a dark turn earlier this week after Gerald Dial released a campaign ad dredging up a 32 year old divorce document between his opponent Rick Pate and his ex-wife, Carolyn Pate. A look at the numbers Note: All numbers come from weekly campaign finance reports filed from period June 1 to July 6 Lieutenant Governor’s Race: Will Ainsworth Raised: $93,425 Spent: $568,543.94 Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh Raised: $513,300.57 Spent: $658,060.05 Attorney General’s Race: Troy King Raised: $421,610 Spent: $422,598.28 Steve Marshall Raised: $515,344.60 Spent: $263,341.06 Commission of Agriculture and Industries race: Gerald Dial Raised: $58,240 Spent: $209,533.40 Rick Pate: Raised: $97,100 [35,000 in receipts from sources other than cash] Spent: $152,766.52 Supreme Court place 1 race: Brad Mendheim: Raised: $178,050 Spent: $183,521.10 Sarah Stewart Raised: $11,000 Spent: $263,179.52 Civil Appeals Court, place 1 race: Christy Edwards Raised: $120,500 [Receipts from other sources $1,200] Spent: $129,110.69 Michelle Thomason Raised: $23,525 [$51,124.96 in receipts from other sources] Spent: $86,965.83 Criminal Appeals Court, place 2 Rich Anderson Raised: $7,600 Spent: $19,105.23 Chris McCool Raised: $87,000 [$1,448.86 in receipts from other sources] Spent: $107,820.36
Troy King files ethics complaint against opponent, AG Steve Marshall
The primary runoff race for Alabama Attorney General is once again heating up now that both candidates, Troy King and Steve Marshall, have resumed their campaigns following the tragic death of Marshall’s wife. On Monday, King filed a complaint against Marshall with the Alabama Ethics Commission, accusing Marshall and his staff of accepting PAC-to-PAC money despite the state’s ban. The complaint details how King believes Marshall transferred at least $435,000 from the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) PAC to his campaign fund, which has since been spent on television commercials, robocalls, direct mail to voters and other campaign activities. “As Attorney General, Steve Marshall should be upholding the law, not breaking it. Campaign finance laws should apply to him, just like they apply to everyone else,” King said. “As a former Attorney General, I understand that only when our laws are enforced as written do they act as an honest deterrent to election campaign wrongdoing. I am asking the Alabama Ethics Commission to investigate and prosecute this case swiftly and to the fullest extent of the law.” The state’s PAC-to-PAC ban In 2010, the State Legislature passed the PAC-to-PAC ban in 2010 in order to restrict donor’s ability to hide contributions by shuffling them through multiple PAC’s. AL.com recently reported that Marshall’s campaign found a loophole in the law and is doing nothing wrong. In fact, Marshall’s campaign told Alabama Today they’re pleased to accept the RAGA support. “We are pleased to have received support from RAGA Action Fund and trust they have complied with Alabama law,” Julia Mazzone said on behalf of the Marshall campaign. But King points to similar instance involving a RAGA PAC donation that occurred in 2014. Then former Attorney General Luther Strange tried accept a donation from the PAC, but ultimately returned the funds due to the PAC-to-PAC ban after an ethics complaint was filed against him. “Marshall should return the illegal money he received into his campaign immediately,” King continued. “Steve’s Marshall’s flagrant disregard for the law shows that he is not part of cleaning Montgomery up. Instead, he is among its biggest polluters. The corruption will not end until those who are corrupting the system are removed from office. Alabamians who are sick and tired of business as usual will have their say soon enough when they cast their votes on July 17th.” Knowingly violating the PAC-to-PAC ban is considered a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $6,000 fine. This article has been updated to include a statement from the Marshall campaign.
Steve Marshall shows fundraising lead over runoff opponent Troy King
In the race for Attorney General, incumbent Steve Marshall is showing a substantial fundraising lead over his opponent Troy King, just ten days prior to the July 17 runoff election. The race has amassed a significant amount of attention from political PAC’s and voters alike, giving good reason for the millions accumulated and spent by both men. Although the title of “Attorney General” might not seem like the most glamorous title in Alabama politics, the position is viewed by many as the second most important job in state government. “The powers given by the state constitution and the Legislature are significant,” Retired political science professor Jess Brown told AL.com. “But the very nature of the office is that the occupant is the chief lawyer for this state and can, in fact, go represent state government even when they don’t want him to.” A look at the numbers Marshall is financially in the lead with $2.4 million raised for his campaign. Thus far he’s spent $2.1 million of those dollars. King follows a significant amount behind having raised $1.8 million, and spending $1.7 million. Both men received a bump in donations after the June 5 primary, but King holds the edge here; Marshall garnered $257,000 in donations, while King amassed $302,000. Both men paused their campaigns after the unexpected death of Marshall’s wife Bridgette Gentry Marshall in late June. Resuming his race on June 30, King vowed to keep on message of his political record and qualifications going forward. Marshall resumed his race earlier this week, saying Bridgette would have wanted him to get back to work and serve the people of Alabama.
AG Steve Marshall resumes his campaign in wake of wife’s death
Incumbent Attorney General Steve Marshall has pressed play on his campaign after pressing pause due to the untimely and tragic death of his wife Bridgette Gentry Marshall. Marshall explained he is honoring his wife’s memory by continuing the campaign saying she would have wanted him to get back to work and serve the people of Alabama. “In the week following Bridgette’s passing, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support my family has received. Bridgette was a precious wife, mother, daughter, and friend. She was the brightest light in my life and in so many others,” Marshall posted to his Facebook page. “As we move forward, I am choosing to honor Bridgette’s memory in all that I do. Right now, that means getting back to work and continuing to serve the people of Alabama.” Marshall’s opponent Out of respect and in solidarity for Marshall, his primary runoff opponent Troy King also paused his campaign when he heard the news of Bridgette’s death. Resuming it on June 30, King vowed to keep on message of his political record and qualifications going forward, “I commit that I will keep my campaign to a discussion of our political records and our Republican qualifications and allow the voters to decide this race on the merits alone — seemingly a change of course from his previous strategy. In the weeks prior to Bridgette’s death, King and Marshall found themselves exchanging political jabs, but both candidates seem resolved to keep things civil for the coming weeks. King and Marshall face-off in the runoff election on Tuesday, July 17.
Resuming campaigning Troy King pledges positive issues-based campaign moving forward
Troy King resumed his campaign Saturday after pausing his campaign Sunday in the wake of the death of his opponent Steve Marshall‘s wife, Bridgette Gentry Marshall. “After a week of pausing our campaign, we will, today, begin to air advertisements on television and radio. My commercials will, as they always have, focus on the issues and my qualifications to be the Republican nominee for Alabama Attorney General, as compared to the qualifications of my opponent,” King posted Saturday on Facebook. King also vowed to keep on message of his political record and qualifications going forward — “I commit that I will keep my campaign to a discussion of our political records and our Republican qualifications and allow the voters to decide this race on the merits alone — seemingly a change of course from his previous strategy. In the weeks prior to Bridgette’s death, King and Marshall found themselves exchanging political jabs. King had recently held a press conference where he pointed out Marshall spending time with “fat cat fundraiser.” “My preacher always said, if you know what to know what’s important to a man, if you want to know where his priorities lie, you look at his calendar. You don’t listen to what he is,” King had said standing in front of a blown-up fundraiser invitation for Marshall. Meanwhile Marshall‘s campaign was working overtime pushing details from his campaign finance report to discredit his assertion that he won’t take gaming money. King’s full post resuming his campaign on Facebook: Paige and I continue to pray for the Marshall and Gentry families. Our hearts go out to them in this unbearable time of tragedy. After a week of pausing our campaign, we will, today, begin to air advertisements on television and radio. My commercials will, as they always have, focus on the issues and my qualifications to be the Republican nominee for Alabama Attorney General, as compared to the qualifications of my opponent. I want to be very clear. I will not speak of Mr. Marshall’s family. I believe there is no place in any political campaign for questions of or attacks on anyone’s spouse or children. During my political career, my family has been attacked and I know what a horrible and unfair toll that takes on your family. I would never do that to anyone else. I commit that I will keep my campaign to a discussion of our political records and our Republican qualifications and allow the voters to decide this race on the merits alone.
Let’s talk about mental health not in whispers, but in shouts
Today authorities confirmed what has widely been speculated since the death of Attorney General Steve Marshall‘s wife Bridgette — that she in fact committed suicide. Often times we only talk about suicide in the case of celebrities… Robin Williams, Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain, and others. But the fact is suicide affects so many more of us. More importantly, the underlining cause of suicide, untreated mental illness or mental illness not responsive to medications and treatment, affects nearly all of us in some shape or form. I don’t know a single person not touched by mental illness — either persistent and severe conditions that plague them on and off throughout their lives, or acute in response to major life changes. We have to do better as a society. Although I write quite frequently about mental health and the importance of destigmafying it, and properly funding mental health care and community-based programs, and addressing it in our schools, even I feel like I don’t do enough. I talk openly about my generalized anxiety disorder and the co-occurring depression that can come with it in extreme periods of stress. But I feel like nothing is enough. We have to make this an everyday conversation and rather than whisper about it we should shout. We should say out loud that one can no more control mental illness than they can control asthma, diabetes and other health conditions. What we can control however is how we address it. How we treat it. How we talk about it. Treatment shouldn’t be a dirty secret. Seeking treatment shouldn’t be made to seem like a sign of weakness. Please join me and let’s all talk publicly about mental health. Let’s talk what’s happening in one another’s lives and in the lives of our loved ones, our neighbors, our colleagues. In loving, caring, and supportive ways. My heart breaks for Steve Marshall and his daughter Faith (I find myself in tears writing this now) and all I can ask for is in this time we don’t gloss over the opportunity to do better. I hereby call on state and lawmakers to take on this issue now. It shouldn’t take another mass shooting, or another celebrity suicide or God forbid the tragedy that the Marshall family is enduring right now to bring up the conversation. The time is now. Let’s all go out and do better! Here are some state and national resources below about mental health: NAMI Alabama: The mission statement/purpose of NAMI Alabama is to provide support, education, and advocacy for persons with mental illnesses, their families, and others whose lives are affected by these brain disorders. This is accomplished by: Educating the people of Alabama about mental illness thereby reducing stigma Providing support for individuals with mental illness to grow and contribute to their community Developing, nurturing and coordinating a statewide network of local affiliates Promoting public policies which expand services and improve treatment for all persons living with a mental illness and supporting research leading to the control and management of mental illness Alabama Department of Mental Health: The state agency tasked with, “Promoting the health and well-being of Alabamians with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities and substance use disorders.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): The agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
Steve Marshall discusses wife’s suicide, struggles
In an emotional appearance, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall opened up to reporters Wednesday about his wife’s weekend suicide, saying she was a beautiful and gentle person who had a long struggle with depression, anxiety and chronic pain. With his adult daughter and other family members standing behind him during a press conference at a northern Alabama church, Marshall sobbed at times as he described Bridgette Marshall’s life and deeply personal struggles. “It’s tough. It’s tough,” Marshall said as he began, thanking people for an outpouring of support and criticizing what he called an instance of reckless reporting that he said exposed details of her death Sunday. He spoke in his hometown, Albertville, about 165 miles (266 kilometers) north of Montgomery, the state capital. Marshall said he felt compelled to come forward to stop “half-truths” about her death. Family members also hoped sharing her story would help other families and individuals, who have been touched by mental health issues and suicide, to know that they are not alone, he said. “It is our hope today to share our story to also give strength to those families who have endured what we have endured. And maybe for that person who felt like Bridgette did on Sunday morning to know that there is hope and there are people who love them.” Marshall said his wife suffered major depressive disorder and anxiety. “Being married to me probably didn’t help because it caused someone who was anxious to also sometimes be in the public eye and that is not where she wanted to be,” Marshall said. He also said mental illness is “not a sign of weakness, let’s make that clear. Nobody wants to be mentally ill.” He described someone at times uncomfortable with the limelight and the pressure of politics. She feared that her past personal struggles would be exposed. She also had illnesses that caused physical pain, including a digestive disorder that required a feeding tube, and had been plagued with painful migraines since childhood. The migraines led to bouts of opioid dependence after she was prescribed powerful painkillers as a treatment. Despite all that, Marshall said his wife urged him to seek the position of attorney general ahead of his appointment last year and to run in this year’s election. She recently had moved to Tennessee instead of living in Montgomery. Marshall said he believed things were looking up when she came home for the June 5 primary election and her birthday celebration the next day. “We saw happiness in her that we hadn’t seen in a while, and it was good. It was good. And then for whatever reason something changed and we don’t know what,” Marshall said. Marshall described their final phone call. “She said, ‘I’m tired of being tired and I just want to go.’” “I told her how she was loved. As a guy who professionally is supposed to convince people with words to do something, I couldn’t reach her,” Marshall said sobbing. He said he remains haunted by that final conservation and whether she would still be alive if he hadn’t become attorney general. Marshall asked for his daughter’s privacy, saying they needed time to mourn and to remember Bridgette Marshall’s life. He said his wife, who volunteered at a hospice, had touched the lives of countless members of their community, and he read a loving note she had written for him two weeks before her death. “That is the woman I will celebrate … Please allow us to celebrate that life and to no longer have to discuss her death,” Marshall said. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Funeral services set for AG Steve Marshall’s wife, Bridgette
Funeral services have been set for Attorney General Steve Marshall‘s wife Bridgette Gentry Marshall who passed away Sunday morning. The service will be held Friday, June 29 at the McRae Funeral Home Chapel in Boaz, Ala. at 10 a.m. Her visitation is scheduled for Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location. According to Marshall’s office, Bridgette passed after a long-time struggle with mental illness. Mrs. Marshall was born in Boaz, Alabama on June 6, 1973 to Billy Wayne and Linda Walls Gentry. She was a homemaker and active hospice volunteer. Mrs. Marshall is survived by her husband: Steve Marshall of Albertville, Daughter: Faith Marshall (Bailey Simmons) of Albertville, Parents: Wayne and Linda Walls Gentry of Asbury, Brothers: Brian and April Gentry and Brandon and Christie Gentry all of Albertville. Nieces and Nephews: Katheryn Lipscomb, Brooke Gentry, Caleb Gentry and Anslei Gentry. She was preceded in death by her nephew: Austin Gentry. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Shepherd’s Cove Hospice, 408 Martling Road, Albertville, Ala. 35951.
Steve Marshall’s wife Bridgette passes away
According to a release sent by Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office, Marshall’s wife Bridgette Marshall passed on Sunday morning after a long-time struggle with mental illness. “Bridgette was a devoted and much beloved daughter, wife and mother,” the release continued. “We ask that the people of Alabama keep the Marshall family in their prayers during this most difficult time.” Opponent Troy King issued a statement following the news of her passing saying, “Paige and I just learned of the tragic death of Brigette Marshall. Today is a sad and difficult day. Today we are not in different political campaigns or camps. We are husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. We cannot imagine the deep sense of loss and grief the Marshall family must face.” “We offer our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers for Attorney General Steve Marshall and his family and pray that God’s grace and peace and hope will enfold and sustain them.” “Out of respect for the Marshall family, I have paused my campaign during this time of mourning. I have directed that all of our advertising be stopped.” “May God hold them in the palm of His hand.” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey responded to the tragic news as well; “this morning, I was incredibly saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Bridgette Marshall,” Ivey said. “Bridgette was the loving wife of Attorney General Steve Marshall and the caring mother of their daughter Faith. A mother is the backbone to a family and especially important to her daughter. I pray that Steve and Faith are comforted in this extremely difficult time.” “It is never easy to lose a loved one and certainly not as suddenly as this. I have spoken with Attorney General Marshall and offered my support. I know the people of Alabama will show the Marshall family great love and sympathy during this time.” After the news broke Sunday morning, condolences from Alabama’s legislative officials came pouring in. Alabama 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt sent out a statement of his own, saying “My heart breaks for the family of Steve Marshall upon hearing of the passing of his wife Bridgette. I ask you to join me in lifting him, their daughter, family and friends in prayer at this tremendously difficult time.” Lieutenant Governor candidate Will Ainsworth express his sympathies via Facebook: My wife, Kendall, our children, and I send our prayers of comfort and solace to Attorney General Steve Marshall and his family. As fellow residents of Marshall County, Steve and his family are our neighbors, our friends, and our partners in Christ, so we share their hurt. I ask all Alabamians to join us in raising the Marshalls up in prayers of supplication as they seek the strength to move beyond this deeply personal tragedy. Alabama Public Service Commission President, Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh also expressed condolences via Facebook, saying: Jeff and I are heartbroken after hearing of Bridgette Marshall’s passing today. Please join us in praying for Attorney General Steve Marshall, their daughter Faith, and the entire Marshall family. May God hold Steve and Faith in His arms and bring them peace and comfort in the days ahead. John 14:1-4
