Steve Flowers: Congressional lines and Congressmen will remain the same
For several years leading up to the 2010 Census count, the national projections were that Alabama would lose one of our seven congressional districts and drop to six. When the count was taken, we surprised ourselves and the nation and kept our seven seats in the United States Congress. Therefore, the legislature’s task in drawing our seven congressional districts was relatively easy. Except for some tweaking here and there due to growth in Madison, Limestone, Lee, Shelby, and especially Baldwin counties, and the loss of population in the Black Belt, our congressional district lines were kept basically the same as they have been for the past few decades. We essentially have six of our seven districts that are safe Republican seats. We have one dedicated majority minority African American Democratic Congressional District. That Democratic seat is held by Congresswoman Terri Sewell. She has been in that seat for over a decade and has become a respected leader in the Democratic House leadership. The Democrats are in the majority, which makes her a powerful member of the House. However, most political experts and polling indicate that this year’s election will bring a swing of 30 or more Republican seat pickups or takeovers, thus making the Republicans the majority party. This will be beneficial for Alabama since six of our seven seats are held by Republicans. It will be particularly beneficial to folks in the fourth district, who have Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) as their Congressman. Aderholt is the most senior member of our delegation and is the ranking Republican on the House Appropriation Committee. Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Anniston) is also gaining ground in seniority. He is a ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Jefferson) represents the suburban areas of metro-Jefferson, Hoover, and Shelby. It is considered one of the most Republican House districts in America. We have two freshmen Republican Congressmen who are finishing their first two years in the House. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) represents the coastal first district of basically Mobile and Baldwin Counties. He has taken to Congress like a duck to water. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) represents the second district made up of the Wiregrass and the fast-growing Pike Road area of Montgomery, as well as the populous counties of Autauga and Elmore. All six of the aforementioned incumbents will be reelected without opposition. The only excitement in Congressional politics in the Heart of Dixie will play out in the fifth district. This Huntsville-Tennessee Valley seat is currently held by Mo Brooks, who has opted to run for the U.S. Senate, thus leaving a seldom seen open congressional seat contest. There are six Republicans vying for this open fifth district seat. The contestants are Dale Strong, Paul Sanford, Casey Wardynski, Harrison Wright, Andy Blalock, and John Roberts. Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong appears to be the strongest candidate. He is far outdistancing the field in polling and fundraising. Some say that he could eclipse the field without a runoff. The most ardent challengers will be former State Senator Paul Sanford and former Huntsville City School Superintendent Casey Wardynski. Dr. Wardynski has done a good job fundraising. There will be a large turnout in this congressional race. In fact, this Huntsville-Madison-Limestone Tennessee Valley area of the state will more than likely have the largest percentage turnout in the state. Not only is there an open congressional seat, but Mo Brooks is the local candidate for the open U.S. Senate Seat, and popular, incumbent Republican state school board member, Wayne Reynolds, will also be on the ballot with token opposition. In addition, the only hotly contested Republican State Senate race between Tom Butler and Bill Holtzclaw is in the Madison-Limestone area. There are also three open hotly contested State House races, including filling the seats of Speaker Mac McCutcheon and veteran House member Howard Sanderford. There is also a hotly contested open sheriff’s race in Limestone County. Furthermore, the phantom candidate for the U.S. Senate, Mike Durant, claims Huntsville as his home. All of these ingredients are a recipe for a larger turnout in the Tennessee Valley than the rest of the state on May 24. The Congressional lines and six of seven congressmen will remain the same for this 2022 election cycle. However, hold the phone. The federal courts could change that for 2024. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.
Former lawmaker Paul Sanford announces candidacy to replace Mo Brooks
Former state lawmaker Paul Sanford announce he will seek the Republican nomination for Alabama’s congressional 5th District. The Huntsville native and former restaurant owner served two terms in the State Senate and left because he firmly believes in term limits. “Almost thirteen years ago, I stood inside my family’s fourth-generation business, Gibson’s Bar-B-Q, and announced my intention to run for the Alabama Senate. I firmly believe that our Constitution did not intend for elected officials to stay in office forever, and after serving in the Senate for nine and a half years, I recognized that it was time to honor my stance on term limits,” Sanford stated. He added, “After four years of watching idly by on the sidelines, my family and I have decided it is the right time for me to re-enter the fight for our Freedoms. Today, I am asking the people of North Alabama for their support and to grant me the honor of representing the citizens and businesses of the 5th District as your next Representative in Congress.” The Republican Primary is on May 24 and there are already several candidates vying to replace Congressman Mo Brooks. Madison County Commission President Dale Strong, former Huntsville School Superintendent Casey Wardynski, educator Andy Blalock and former Chamber of Commerce official John Roberts are already in the race. Sanford said to Yellowhammer News, “In a crowded Republican Primary it is always hard to separate yourself as a candidate. People need to know I have nine and a half years of legislative experience in the Alabama Senate fighting for conservative principles and the people of Alabama,” Sanford told Yellowhammer News. “So that makes me the only candidate that has sponsored, drafted, amended, passed, or stopped legislation that impacts their lives. Which means I have a proven and tested conservative record that they may depend upon.” “It is time that we send hard-working individuals like you and me to Washington D.C. in order to make the right decisions and get our country back on track,” Sanford told supporters at an announcement in Huntsville.
