2018 statewide election ad roundup: May 11 edition
The June 5 Republican and Democratic primary is only 25 days away and Alabama’s gubernatorial candidates have taken to the internet and the airwaves with campaign ads in hopes of swaying Yellowhammer State voters to their side. With the primary less than a month away, candidates upping the ante, with several candidates releasing new ads for the first time in months. In the Gubernatorial races, Kay Ivey, and evangelist Scott Dawson, both released new ads this week to combat Tommy Battle‘s massive ad rollout last week. Sue Bell Cobb continued her campaign tradition, issuing a new ad for the eighth week in a row, while Walt Maddox released his first new ad in months. Several Lieutenant governor candidates announced new ads this week, including Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, Rusty Glover, and Will Ainsworth. Attorney General candidate Troy King published his first television ad this week, with opponents Steve Marshall, Chess Bedsole releasing new ads as well. Gubernatorial Ads Republicans Kay Ivey: Title: Life Published: May 9, 2018 Tone: Principled Kay Ivey: Title: Tough as Nails Published: May 9, 2018 Tone: Resilient Scott Dawson: Title: “Learning About Faith” Published: May 11, 2018 Tone: Belief Democrats Walt Maddox: Title: Walt Maddox for Governor Published: May 11, 2018 Tone: Leadership Sue Bell Cobb: Title: SBC LotteryDad Video Published: May 8, 2018 Tone: Hopeful Lieutenant governor ads Republicans Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh: Title: “Shoes” Published: May 8, 2018 Tone: Preserving Rusty Glover: Title: “Peoples Choice” – Rusty Glover for Lieutenant Governor Published: May 3, 2018 Tone: Impactful Will Ainsworth: Title: “Leadership” | Ainsworth for Lt. Governor Published: May 7, 2018 Tone: Initiating Will Ainsworth: Title: “Hostage” | Ainsworth for Lt. Governor Published: May 8, 2018 Tone: Confronting Will Ainsworth: Title: Rickey Cornutt on Will’s Fight for Farmers Published: May 11, 2018 Tone: Folksy Attorney General ads Republicans Troy King: Title: Cause (Troy King for Attorney General) Published: May 8, 2018 Tone: Watchful Steve Marshall: Title: Steve Marshall – Fighting for Alabama Published: May 9, 2018 Tone: Protective Chess Bedsole: Title: Chess Bedsole “Rally” Published: May 1, 2018 Tone: Defensive
Sue Bell Cobb campaign aide turns himself in after violating sex offender law
Sue Bell Cobb‘s campaign aide, Paul Littlejohn III turned himself Thursday evening after the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department issued an arrest warrant Wednesday upon finding him in violation of the state’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Littlejohn, is a former inmate at the Draper Correctional Facility in Elmore County where he spent 30 years following his 1984 conviction for three crimes: rape by forcible compulsion, sodomy I and robbery I. Court records indicate Littlejohn was convicted of raping a 20 year old female and sodomizing a 30 year old female. On Wednesday the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department was notified he was in violation of SORNA as he was working as a pastor at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, which also runs a daycare and is near a school. As a registered sex offender, Littlejohn is prohibited from both living and working near an elementary school or daycare. Littlejohn failed to disclose this information to the sex offender registry. Violation of SORNA is considered a felony. Littlejohn turned himself in at 6:41 p.m. CT. The Cobb campaign has failed to respond to requests for comment.
Arrest warrant issued for Sue Bell Cobb campaign aide for violating sex offender law
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed an arrest warrant has been issued Paul Littlejohn III, Deputy Field Director for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sue Bell Cobb, for violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The sheriff’s office has released a statement explaining how they came know he was in violation of SORNA: The Sheriff’s office Sex Offender Unit was made aware Littlejohn was working as a pastor at a Jefferson County church. He had not reported this employment. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Sex Offender Unit went to the church and verified his employment. They also learned that the church operates a daycare and is next door to an elementary school. Littlejohn is prohibited from living or working near an elementary school or daycare. Investigators are attempting to locate him and “make him aware of the issue.” Upon arrest he will be put in jail on an $11,000 bond. Littlejohn III is a former inmate at the Draper Correctional Facility in Elmore County where he spent 30 years following his 1984 conviction for three crimes: rape by forcible compulsion, sodomy I and robbery I. Court records indicate Littlejohn was convicted of raping a 20 year old female and sodomizing a 30 year old female. He served 30 years in prison. Earlier on Thursday, Cobb stood by her decision to hire Littlejohn III saying, “Paul was convicted of a horrendous crime, since then he is literally the picture of redemption.”
5 craziest take-aways from the Roy Johnson piece on Paul Littlejohn III
Earlier this week it was reported that Paul Littlejohn III, a convicted rapist and registered sex offender has become a Democratic operative currently working for Sue Bell Cobb‘s gubernatorial campaign. Prior to that he worked for Sen. Doug Jones and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. Most of us found this out through what Al.com’s Roy Johnson seemingly intended to be a feature profile on redemption in politics. Yet here I am, two days later still scratching my head about what I read. It seems the piece has created far more questions than it gave answers. Assuming you’ve caught up and read it yourself… let me begin my saying, I’m all for rehabilitation and allowing ex-offenders to reintegrate into society. But that looks different for different people, depending on their crimes. Something about reading Johnson’s piece just feels off. There are too many oddities within the story and Cobb’s team’s crafted response to just let it go. Here are my top 5 craziest take-aways from the piece: 1. Throughout the piece Littlejohn essentially says he’s reformed and has learned lesson, but in same article he claims was essentially railroaded by bad attorney and that’s why he ended up in jail to begin with. So which is it? Did he atone for the atrocious crimes he committed, or was he innocent altogether? It can’t be both. It was a plea deal Littlejohn took, he says, because his attorney insisted that if it went to trial, he could get life without the possibility of parole. “I didn’t know any better,” he says. “When he said ‘life’, I thought it meant life. Thirty years sounded better. [My attorney] thought he made a good deal.” 2. In the piece, Johnson points out Unity Group Solution, of which Littlejohn is a partner, was paid in both March and April by Cobb’s campaign. Alabama Today looked over the campaign finance reports ourselves (and noticed Johnson left out a figure when he did the math), and figure the company was paid $19,066 in March and another $21,739 in April ($18,739 on April 4 and $3,000 on April 11). Liltlejohn also said he employs 12 people. Littlejohn says he employs 12 people full-time for canvassing neighborhoods up to six days each week and three others for phone-banking. He pays $10 per hour, higher than the $7.25 minimum wage. “I have 12-to-14 people,” Littlejohn says, “who depend on me to eat.” Yet in his most recent update with the ALEA’s sex offender registry, he’s listed as home. How can he be making so much money to pay others, yet still doesn’t have a place to live himself? Something’s not adding up. 3. Now let’s look at the campaign’s response from campaign chair Landon Nichols. There’s just way too much there to ignore. But perhaps most disturbing is that Nichols queries “Have you ever made a mistake? Once you have atoned for that mistake, do you believe in forgiveness? I do.” That’s such an absurd statement to make, especially from someone who’s handling communications for Cobb as well. Comparing an ordinary person’s transgressions to violent, forcible rape and sexual assault of two women is mind-boggling. If a campaign chair can’t see the difference — they need to be in a new line of work. 4. The campaign attempting to give themselves an attaboy by recognizing the #MeToo movement in hiring a “reformed” sex offender is a mind-scratcher. Attempting to applaud the victim in the same statement they’re applauding the perpetrator seems tone-deaf. It’s a very odd thing to connect. #MeToo is a movement about empowering women. Whereas this is a statement about defending a man who violently attacked them. Shame on the campaign for attempting to bend a national movements narrative to fit their agenda. 5. The reality of a campaign sending a violent ex-felon door-to-door is baffling. I have firsthand experience as a field director. In that position you’re entrusted with sensitive voter file information on individuals from their addresses to phone numbers to age, etc. Handing it over a registered sex offender is questionable judgement at best. Heck, when I campaigned I was routinely invited into the homes of people I visited, it is the South after all. Certainly you wouldn’t want to invite in a registered sex offender. After all, we don’t let those who hurt children work in schools and bank robbers probably shouldn’t be able to get bank jobs, so maybe the person with access to household data shouldn’t have a violent past either. I get it, American correctional facilities are known for high recidivism rates. Nationally, than 76% of all inmates return to prison within five years, and I fully believe it’s our duty to give people who own their crimes and serve their time a second chance to prove they’ve changed. But it’s also the responsibility of those around them, of those giving them said second chance to not set them up for failure. Not not put them in questionable positions that could cause them to make a faulty judgement. But like I said, something about this story if off. There are fare more questions than answers coming from Cobb’s campaign. In fact, we reached out to Nichols on Tuesday asking Cobb to clarify a few things, to which they’ve yet to respond. Here’s some of what we’d like to know: When did Mrs. Cobb find out about Littlejohn’s past? Does she have confidence in the work he is doing for her now? What message is she sending to women by hiring a sex offender who was found guilty of rape by forcible compulsion and sodomy? In the AL.com piece, is looks as though Littlejohn is not taking responsibility for his actions, in saying It was a plea deal Littlejohn took, he says, because his attorney insisted that if it went to trial, he could get life without the possibility of parole. “I didn’t know any better,” he says. “When he said ‘life’, I thought it meant life. Thirty years sounded better. [My attorney] thought he made a good deal.” What does Mrs. Cobb feel
Sue Bell Cobb stands by Deputy Field Director, registered sex offender
Former Alabama Chief Justice and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sue Bell Cobb is standing beside a campaign worker — Paul Littlejohn III of Birmingham, Ala. — despite his violent criminal history. Littlejohn, is a former inmate at the Draper Correctional Facility in Elmore County where he spent 30 years following his 1984 conviction for three crimes: rape by forcible compulsion, sodomy I and robbery I. Court records indicate Littlejohn was convicted of raping a 20 year old female and sodomizing a 30 year old female. Both victims were strangers. Now he’s working in politics — currently helping deliver votes for Cobb as her Deputy Field Director where she’s sending him door-to-door to solicit votes in the hotly contested gubernatorial race. In a letter released on campaign stationary to Al.Com’s Roy Johnson, Cobb’s campaign manager Landon Nichols Jr. defends Littlejohn saying he should be forgiven for his crimes. Nichols asks, “Have you ever made a mistake? Once you have atoned for that mistake, do you believe in forgiveness?” He goes on to say, “I do.” According to campaign finance reports, Cobb has paid his company — Unity Group Solution, of which AL.com says he is a partner — $19,066 in March and another $21,739 in April ($18,739 on April 4 and $3,000 on April 11). As a former sex offender, Littlejohn is required to register with the state’s sex offender registry. In his most recent update, April 30, he was listed as homeless despite his income from Cobb’s campaign. Prior to working for Sure Bell Cobb’s campaign Littlejohn told Al.Com that he worked on campaigns for Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and U.S. Senator Doug Jones. Alabama Today has reached out to Cobb’s campaign for comment. We will update this piece accordingly should they respond.
Only 30 days until the primary election: get voting information here
With the Alabama primary elections only 30 days away voters in the yellowhammer state need to know where to vote, and who’s on their ballot. According to the Secretary of State’s office, the last day to register to vote or update your voter registration is the 15th day prior to the election, making the last day to register before the June 5 primary May 21. Absentee ballots are available for those who cannot be physically present to vote, but you must complete an application before May 31. Here are the links to the statewide candidate’s website: Governor’s race: Republicans: Tommy Battle Scott Dawson Bill Hightower Kay Ivey Democrats: Sue Bell Cobb James Fields Walt Maddox Attorney General’s Race: Republicans: Steve Marshall Chess Bedsole Troy King Alice Martin Democrats: Chris Christie Joseph Siegelman Sample Ballots: Jefferson County: Montgomery County: Madison County: Mobile County:
2018 gubernatorial ad roundup: May 4 edition
The June 5 Republican and Democratic primary is only 32 days away and Alabama’s gubernatorial candidates have taken to the internet and the airwaves with campaign ads in hopes of swaying Yellowhammer State voters to their side. Tommy Battle rolled out the big guns just in time to get voters prepared for the primaries; deploying eight new video ads this week. Sue Bell Cobb continued her campaign tradition, releasing a new ad for the seventh week in a row. Republicans Tommy Battle: Title: Free2Teach – Amanda Published: April 26, 2018 Tone: Philanthropic Title: Free2Teach – Lauren Published: April 26, 2018 Tone: Altruistic Title: Free2Teach – Kyleen Published: April 26, 2018 Tone: Benevolent Title: Free2Teach – Maria Published: April 26, 2018 Tone: Generous Title: Free2Teach – Meet Eula Published: April 26, 2018 Tone: Familial Title: Battle Debate – Economy Published: April 26, 2018 Tone: Timeous Title: The Real Story Behind Recruiting Toyota-Mazda Published: April 26, 2018 Tone: Bolstering Title: Tommy Battle Stands With Our Veterans Published: April 26, 2018 Tone: Patriotic Democrats Sue Bell Cobb: Title: Stay focused on that WAG… Published: April 30, 2018 Tone: Playful
Get to know: Sue Bell Cobb, Democratic candidate for Governor
Former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb is a frontrunner in a sea of seven Democrats candidates vying for their Party’s nomination for governor this year. 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. Now she’s running for governor because, “it is time that someone was honest about the real challenges we face as a state and about what we need to do to move Alabama in the right direction. We deserve the facts. We deserve the truth. We deserve progress. This requires honest leadership.” Here Cobb is in her own words: Significant other? How long married? Kids? I have been married to my husband Bill since 1990. Between us, Bill and I have three children, Bill, Andy, and Caitlin Education background? Professional background? I began my college career at a small Methodist school in Kentucky, Asbury College. I transferred to The University of Alabama to complete my undergraduate degree, then attended The University of Alabama School of Law. I was appointed District Judge in my home Conecuh County at the age of 25, served two elected terms as District Judge, two terms on the Court of Criminal Appeals, and as the first female Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. What was your first job before college/adulthood and after? Before college, I worked as an x-ray lab technician at the Evergreen Hospital. Three weeks after passing the Bar, I was appointed District Judge. In 25 words or less, why are you running for office? I am running to save community hospitals, rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, ensure clean drinking water, and secure passage of the Lifelong Learner Lottery. Did you speak with anybody in your political party before deciding on running? Receive any encouragement? From whom? I spoke with a number of leaders, public officials, and community organizers inside and outside the party who encouraged me to run. One of my strongest early advocates was John Baker, former Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party. Who do you count on for advice besides significant other or clergy? It depends on the subject matter of the issue. I seek advice from a wide array of people I respect and admire in so many fields from healthcare (like Dr. Edward Partridge) to economic development (like Dr. David Bronner). I often seek advice from my brother, close friends from law school (such as Bill Garrett, head of the Civil Division of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office), Judge James Anderson, Judge John Graham, and numerous other legal minds throughout the state. Who is your political consultant? Campaign manager? My political consultant is David Browne, a Georgia native who was the creative genius behind “Let Her Shine.” This nationally-acclaimed ad contributed greatly to my success in my campaign to be the first female Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. My Campaign Manager is Landon Nichols, a native of Perry County, Alabama. He is a two- time graduate of The University of Alabama and boasts a Masters of Public Administration. He most recently worked in economic development and tourism at the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce. Who was the first person to contribute to your campaign? Why did they donate? My very first contributor was a dear friend, mentor, and neighbor named Janie Gilliland. Janie’s husband was a professor at Auburn University and later served as a lawyer with Holtzford & Gilliland. Janie also recently retired from a successful legal career. Sadly, we lost Floyd in 2016, but he and Janie have always believed in me and encouraged me, and it was my honor for Janie to be the first contributor to this bid for governor. Who, if anyone, inspires you in state government? I am inspired by the bravery of a number of correctional officers who enter our overcrowded, underfunded prisons each day. Additionally, I find hope for this state in the legions of dedicated career civil servants from teachers to social workers to first responders who move our state forward. Why do people mistrust elected officials and what are you going to do about it? Far too many elected officials in Alabama care only about their next election NOT the next generation. Their actions do not match their words or their promises. I have spent my entire career holding individuals accountable. My pledge is to hold myself accountable, the cabinet and executive branch accountable, and most importantly hold the legislature accountable. When they fail to pass the Lifelong Learner Lottery or the fuel tax, I will go back to their respective counties to ensure that their constituents are aware that their representatives care more about themselves than the people of Alabama. What are 3 specific policy positions that you’re running on? (Please don’t simply say “education” or “improving the schools”) I am running to secure the passage of the Lifelong Learner lottery to fund Pre-K education, 0-3 childcare, career technical education in Alabama high schools, and the gap between Pell Grants and the cost of college tuition. This will result in fully meeting our workforce development needs and it will show the world that Alabama is open for business. Additionally, I am advocating a modest but adequate increase to the fuel tax to repair our crumbling roads and bridges and to deepen and widen the channel to the Port of Mobile. Finally, I am proposing to save our community hospitals by expanding Medicaid eligibility and by securing funding for quality, long-term substance abuse treatment centers that can better utilize existing facilities. What is a “disruptive” issue (i.e. ride-sharing) you are interested in? I am focused on ensuring that current Alabamians and future generations have access to clean water for drinking, bathing, and recreation. Right now, Alabama has 31 counties with higher levels of childhood lead toxicity
Walt Maddox receives endorsement from Ron Sparks, other Alabama influencers
Walt Maddox‘s campaign announced on the backing of former Alabama Agricultural Commissioner Ron Sparks on Monday. “Walt has compassion and he has leadership. He stood in the streets of Tuscaloosa in its darkest hours and darkest days. He showed compassion, leadership, and strength to rebuild the city,” said Sparks. “He will never put party over the people of Alabama.” Maddox hinted that should he be elected, Sparks might be asked to join his administration. “I am honored to receive the endorsement of Ron Sparks,” said Maddox. “Ron has been a political force in Alabama for years and he shares our vision for a better Alabama. He will be an invaluable asset to this campaign and to my administration should I be elected governor.” This is just one of many endorsements Maddox has received recently; last week he revived an endorsement from Mobile-Democrat Sen. Vivian Figures, and in March received and endorsement from Russellville-Democrat, former state Sen. Roger Bedford. “I am honored and proud to endorse Mayor Walt Maddox to be our next governor,” said Figures. “I know he is ready to serve all of the people of AL, because he’s not filled with empty rhetoric, but has a plan that will move AL to the next level.” Bedford said, “I know first-hand that Walt Maddox has what it takes. He has a proven record in Tuscaloosa and is a new fresh face we need in Montgomery. He has the knowledge, demeanor, and work ethic to make a difference and will make us proud to call him our governor.” Maddox will face former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, along with Christopher Countryman, James Fields, Doug Smith and Anthony White in the June 5 Democratic primary. The winner will go on to face the Republican nominee in the general election, to be selected among: Gov. Kay Ivey, Tommy Battle, Bill Hightower, or Scott Dawson.
2018 gubernatorial ad roundup: April 27 edition
The June 5 Republican and Democratic primary is only 39 days away and Alabama’s gubernatorial candidates have taken to the internet and the airwaves with campaign ads in hopes of swaying Yellowhammer State voters to their side. Yet again this week, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb were the only two candidates to release new television ads. In her new ad, Ivey mentions “mountain oysters” for the second time this campaign season, saying “don’t give me a mountain oyster and tell me it’s seafood.” Cobb’s new ad takes a stab at the minimum wage reading, “anyone who works for a living; deserves a wage she can live on.” She has released new campaign ads for six weeks in a row, so while viewers might be tired of seeing the other gubernatorial candidates ads on repeat, hers ads are likely to be a breath of fresh air for voters across the state. Republicans Kay Ivey: Title: Seafood Published: April 25, 2018 Tone: Playful Democrats Sue Bell Cobb: Title: Minimum Wage Increase Published: April 25, 2018 Tone: Promising
2018 gubernatorial ad roundup: April 20 edition
The June 5 Republican and Democratic primary is only 46 days away and Alabama’s gubernatorial candidates have taken to the internet and the airwaves with campaign ads in hopes of swaying Yellowhammer State voters to their side. This week only former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and Governor Kay Ivey released new ads. Ivey’s “Monuments” ad in which she praises her own signing of a controversial law prohibiting the removal of Confederate monuments in Alabama made waves within the state. Cobb released yet another ad for the fifth week in a row, so while viewers might be tired of seeing the other gubernatorial candidates ads on repeat, hers ads are likely to be a breath of fresh air for voters across the state. Republicans Kay Ivey: Title: Monuments Published: April 17, 2018 Tone: Reveling Democrats Sue Bell Cobb: Title: Unafraid of Being the Lone Voice Published: April 18, 2018 Tone: Peerless
Top five take aways from the gubernatorial debates
With the June 5 Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries only 52 days away, candidates have begun to participate in debates across the state, trying to persuade voters to their side. On Wednesday, and Thursday night WVTM hosted two gubernatorial debates, one for each party. On Wednesday, former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and former state legislator James Fields participated in the Democratic debate. And on Thursday, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, state Sen. Bill Hightower and evangelist Scott Dawson participated in the Republican debate. Here are 5 takeaways from the debates: 5. Candidates are open to Medical Marijuana, but not recreational Marijuana. The legalization of Marijuana was a question that debate panelists asked both the Republican and Democratic candidates. And although all three candidates referred to the plant as a “gateway” drug, Dawson and Hightower said they were not opposed to allowing medical marijuana within the state, as long as it was highly regulated and available only to those who really need it. Battle however, was opposed, saying “Medical marijuana opens up the same gateway, the gateway that goes to the opioids, which goes to heroin, which also becomes a national crisis, and it has become a national crisis.” During the Democratic debate candidates were asked specifically about the decriminalization of marijuana and medical marijuana. All three Democratic candidates support the legalization of medical marijuana. Maddox said there are three necessary steps to take within the state; decriminalization, institute full use of medical marijuana, and to continue to look at states who have recreational use, collect data from them, and use that data to move forward. 4. Most candidates are in support of an Education Lottery The question of an Education Lottery was also posed in both debates, Maddox and Cobb are known for their support of an education lottery, and Fields said that he would introduce a “clean piece of legislation” for Alabamians to vote on, if they want an education lottery. In the Republican debate; Hightower and Dawson were both opposed, with Hightower saying he really dislikes that lotteries are marketed to minorities and that the financial burden they carry rests on minority groups. Battle said we would allow citizens to vote on a lottery, and that he supports it, although he believes it’s not a cure-all for the state’s problems. 3. Candidates took party stances on increasing the Minimum wage In the republican debate candidates were asked about increasing the state’s minimum wage; no candidates were in support of raising the minimum wage. Battle and Dawson cited their experiences, and how low their starting pay was when they were young. “Raising the minimum wage hurts the poor, it’s cuts them out of jobs. And there’s something worse than not having a minimum wage, and that’s not having a job,” said Hightower. Democratic candidates Cobb and Maddox discussed the minimum wage when Cobb asked Maddox, “How would you convince the voters of Alabama that you truly are for increasing the minimum wage since you used all of your power and influence to defeat the minimum wage when it came before the city council in Tuscaloosa.” To which Maddox replied, “Lets be clear, I support the minimum wage increase, in fact the City of Tuscaloosa is the only entity I know on the record supporting not only a statewide minimum wage, but tying it to the CPI…The legislation she’s talking about would have allowed cities to raise minimum wage, which would have violated Alabama law…It would have been wrong of me to promise something to the citizens of Tuscaloosa that I couldn’t deliver.” Fields did not get the opportunity to comment on a minimum wage increase. 2. Roy Moore is still a hot-button issue Although not mentioned in the Democratic debates, Roy Moore was mentioned several times during the Republican debates. The debate panel asked candidates wether or not they voted for Moore, and was mentioned when the panelists asked about Ten Commandments legislation. Battle said he supported the Republican candidate, but that if the allegations were true, Moore did not need to serve in the Senate. “You have to give the benefit of doubt, you have to look at [the fact that] this was 40 years ago; [and these are] serious accusations. But I will answer the question; Yes. I did vote for Roy Moore,” said Dawson. 1. Kay Ivey declined the invitation to participate. d The most talked about issue covered in the Republican debates was the fact that incumbent Governor Kay Ivey declined the invitation to participate in the debates. She was, instead, throwing the first pitch at the Baron’s baseball game just down the hill from the debate. All candidates criticized Ivey’s choice and agreed that by skipping the debate, saying Ivey did a disservice to all Alabama voters. Candidates were asked why they thought they would be better candidates than Ivey. “Well I’m here, answering your questions for one,” said Hightower. “People lose the value of public service, and thats a shame…being at a baseball game, throwing the first ball out versus coming to talk about the issues and what really affects our communities, that’s a shame,” said Battle. Dawson said he took it personally because he flew back from a pastor’s meeting in Kansas city to be at the debate. “Alabama deserves; we deserve; as a voter I deserve; to hear her vision her dream, and her passion for the future of Alabama,” said Dawson.
