Republican Robert Aderholt wins 12th term in Congress, defeats Democrat Lee Auman
Alabama 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt won a 12th term Congress Tuesday as he defeated Democrat and political newcomer Lee Auman. With 45 percent of the precincts reporting, the Associated Press called the race for Aderholt who leads Auman 82 to 17 percent. The 4th Congressional District includes Franklin, Colbert, Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Walker, Winston, Cullman, Lawrence, Marshall, Etowah and DeKalb counties. It also includes portions of Jackson, Tuscaloosa, and Cherokee counties. This article will be updated will full results.
Two Alabama Congressional Districts rank among highest opioid prescription rates in U.S.
According to a recent study conducted by Harvard University, two Alabama Congressional Districts rank among the top five districts with the highest opioid prescription rates in the U.S. Alabama’s 4th Congressional District has the highest prescription rate in the country. Whereas Alabama’s 1st Congressional District has the 5th highest rate. In the 4th District, an astounding 166 prescriptions were written per 100 people. According to the study, that’s more than two times the national average. Meanwhile in the 1st District, 131 were written per 100 residents. “It is deeply saddening to learn that the 4th Congressional District has such a high opioid prescription rate. I think this crisis, particularly in rural America, corresponds directly to President Trump’s popularity in my district,” said U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt who represents the 4th Congressional District. “People here have felt left behind and have seen their jobs and opportunities disappear. Due to the epidemic of depression, some people have turned to prescription drugs to dull the pain. However, I believe that President Trump’s renewed focus on these areas and increasing jobs has resonated here strongly.” “My colleagues in Congress and I have been working toward that end,” added Aderholt. “In the FY18 funding bill signed into law in March, Congress included $4 billion to directly combat the opioid crisis. This is the largest amount of money ever to address prevention, treatment, and enforcement issues. $130 million was set aside for the Rural Communities Opioid Response program, to reach rural communities that have been hit especially hard by the opioid crisis. And another billion in grants to states and Indian tribes to be used at the local level to target this epidemic. We are currently working on the funding for FY19 and I am confident that we will continue strong funding for these programs. Congressional Districts with highest opioid prescription rates, 2016:
Robert Aderholt urges constituents to plan ahead for international travel in 2017
As cooler winter weather moves into the Yellowhammer State, Alabamians will soon be dreaming about warm spring getaways and summer vacations. Which is why, on Wednesday, Alabama 4th District U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt released a Public Service Announcement regarding international travel in 2017 to ensure constituents prepare well ahead of their trips in order to avoid complications. “While winter has just begun, it won’t be long before Alabamians will start making plans for their spring break and summer travel,” said Aderholt. “If your plans involve international travel, you will want to find your passport now to make sure it won’t expire within six months of your travel dates. Aderholt went on to explain passport complications he’s seen many constituents face when trying to take international trips. “Not only can you not enter a foreign country if your passport has expired, many will not let you enter if your passport is set to expire within six months,” Aderholt continued. “Too often, we get calls from frantic travelers who, after getting to the airport, realize they can’t depart on their trip because their passport is set to expire. Fortunately, in some cases, we have been able to help the traveler, but in others their entire vacation was ruined with no refunds from airlines. “So, as you are putting away your Christmas decorations and dreaming of a vacation on a sunny beach overseas, take time to check your passport. You do not want to spend your vacation in a passport office or worse, losing hundreds of dollars.” For more information on applying for a passport and renewing a passport, please visit the following websites: Applying for the first time Renewing a passport
Robert Aderholt wins 4th District primary, looks on to eleventh congressional term
Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) defeated opponent Phil Norris Tuesday night securing the Republican nomination for representative of Alabama’s 4th Congressional District, moving one step closer to his eleventh term in office. According to his spokesperson Carson Clark, Aderholt celebrated his victory with Tuscaloosa County Republicans at Chuck’s Fish in Tuscaloosa. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, Aderholt received 102,348 votes, 81 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. His challenger Norris received 23,343 votes, 18 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. The 4th District includes most of Tuscaloosa, as well as the far northern suburbs of Birmingham and the southern suburbs of Huntsville and Decatur.
In Alabama congressional races, incumbents stay safe
Despite incessant worrying over what Donald Trump-anti-incumbent-fueled voter turnout would mean at the polls, all members of the Alabama congressional delegation managed to hold on to their seats in Tuesday’s primary election. U.S. Senate Republican Richard Shelby, who was first elected to the Senate in 1986, faced challenges from four Republican opponents. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Shelby won by over 35 points. His closest opponent former Marine Capt. Jonathan McConnell garnered only 28 percent of the vote to Shelby’s 65 percent, with all other challengers taking only about 8 percent of the vote. On the Democratic side, business owner Shadrack McGill, who served in the state Senate from 2010 and 2014, and challengers John Martin, Marcus Bowman and Ron Crumpton faced off also in hopes of unseating Shelby, with Crumpton taking home the Democratic nomination, winning 56 percent of the vote. U.S. House of Representatives AL-01 Former state senator U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne secured his first full term in office after defeating challenger Dean Young. Byrne, first elected to Congress in a special election in 2013, took home 60 percent of the vote, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. AL-02 Former Montgomery City Council member and three-term Congresswoman, U.S. Rep. Martha Roby defeated Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson to represent the 2nd District, which includes much of Montgomery and southeast Alabama. Roby won slightly more than 66 percent of the vote, meanwhile Gerritson took home only 27 percent of the vote, and Bob Rogers just over 5 percent. AL-03 First elected to the House in 2003, former Calhoun County commissioner U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers defeated longtime Auburn public school administrator Larry DiChiara to represent the 3rd District, which covers east-central Alabama. Rogers won 76 percent of the vote to DiChiara 24 percent. Standing between Rogers and his eighth term in Congress is Jesse Smith. Smith, a Phenix City native, was was unchallenged for the Democratic nomination. AL-04 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) defeated opponent Phil Norris the Republican nomination for representative of Alabama’s 4th Congressional District, moving one step closer to his eleventh term in office. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, Aderholt received 102,348 votes, 81 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. AL-05 Third term Congressman Rep. Mo Brooks, who represents Alabama’s 5th District — encompassing the counties of Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Morgan and most of Jackson — was un-opposed. AL-06 Co-founder and former longtime president of the Alabama Policy Institute, U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer, was un-opposed. Palmer is Alabama’s newest Congressman and first elected in 2014 to represent portions of Birmingham, nearly all of Jefferson County outside of Birmingham, and the entirety of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Colbert, Coosa and Shelby counties. AL-07 Alabama’s lone Democratic representative, Terri Sewell, who assumed office in 2011 was un-opposed. Her district encompasses portions of Birmingham,Tuscaloosa and Montgomery.
