Conservatives hold rally and prayer service in front of the Alabama State Capital
On Thursday, a variety of conservative groups held a prayer service and rally for their issues in front of the Alabama Statehouse. The Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) and Alabama Eagle Forum held a prayer service and followed that with a rally by the Campaign for Common Sense. The welcome-back rally urged legislators to advance a socially conservative agenda in the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session that began on Tuesday. ALCAP President and CEO and talk radio host Greg Davis said on Facebook, “We had a blessed time of prayer in Montgomery at the Statehouse steps yesterday with ALCAP – Alabama Citizens Action Program. I encourage all Christians to include those who serve us thru Government on your prayer lists and then truly lift them up to God!” Several speakers urged the Legislators to jettison the unpopular Common Core educational standards – renamed the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards by the state school board. The Rev. John Killian said that the state will not succeed educationally while Common Core remains in place. The Campaign for Common Sense Director Lou Campenosi said, “We have been coming here for 13 years, and still nothing has been done.” Campenosi said that the state of Alabama had gone from 20th in educational performance to 52nd in state educational rankings since switching to the Alabama College and Career Ready Standards. The Director of Alabama Eagle Forum, Becky Gerritson, told Alabama Today that State Sen. Larry Stutts and State Rep. Susan Dubose will introduce legislation in each House to prevent pregnant women from being able to obtain medical marijuana – which will become legal in Alabama by the end of the year. Gerritson said that the group would also support a bill to expand school choice for families across Alabama – the Universal School Choice Act. State Auditor Andrew Sorrell advocated for legislation to give his office powers similar to that of other state auditors. Sorrell said that he had been criticized as being “too conservative,” but in the recent November general election, it was he who won by the largest margin showing that true conservatives can win. Sorrell said that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis governed as a conservative and was rewarded with an easy re-election. State Rep. Ernie Yarbrough vowed to support the school choice bill. Former ALCAP Director Joe Godfrey said on Facebook, “Glad to have been a part of the ALCAP Prayer Rally led by Greg Davis.” Stephanie Durnin with the Healthcare Freedom group advocated for passage of the Healthcare Freedom Act. The controversial legislation would prevent employers from being able to require employees to be vaccinated. Durnin said that some workers who refused to get the vaccine are required to submit frequent COVID-19 tests. Durnin said that this was unfair and unjust. Healthcare Freedom wrote on Facebook, “We expect our legislators to pass the #neveragain legislation called the Alabama Health Freedom Act (AHFA) this session. We need your help to make this happen. Here’s your first CALL TO ACTION to kick off this legislative session right…” Other speakers included: former State Auditor Jim Zeigler, 1819 news podcaster Bryan Dawson, Jarman Leatherwood, Angela Shepard, Jackie Connell, Dr. Rick Lance, and others. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
State incumbents face uphill battle in primary contest
As Alabamians gear up to go to the polls to select their presidential nominee of choice, several other important races will likely get the attention of voters on Tuesday. Sen. Richard Shelby is facing his stiffest competition in years. At the forefront of the onslaught is former-Marine Jonathan McConnell, who has taken Shelby to task over a myriad of issues. But McConnell isn’t the only Republican vying for Shelby’s seat – Shadrack McGill, John Martin and Marcus Bowman are also hoping to unseat the 30-year incumbent. Further, Shelby is facing opposition from the other side of the aisle in political activist Ron Crumpton and West Africa native Charles Nana. But Shelby isn’t the only longtime Alabama politician facing opposition. U.S. Reps. Martha Roby and Bradley Byrne are embroiled in high-caliber primary contests, while Reps. Mike Rogers and Robert Aderholt also face opposition. Though Roby is being contested by two Republican candidates, Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson seems to have the best shot of unseating her. However, Roby’s preliminary polling and fundraising numbers are dwarfing even her toughest competitor. The winner will face Nathan Mathis, whose most recent political experience was a failed bid for state Senate in 2010, in the November General Election. Similarly, Byrne seems to be winning the fundraising and name recognition battle against Dean Young, an Orange Beach developer who failed to unseat Byrne when he first challenged him in 2013. The primary winner will take all in this race, as there is no Democratic opposition. Rogers is going toe-to-toe with former Phenix City school superintendent Larry DiChiara, who is mounting his opposition on the assertion that Rogers has been in Congress for too long. The winner in this race with face Democratic opposition from Army veteran Jesse Smith in November. Aderholt is going up against Republican Navy veteran Phil Norris, whose website seems to hinge on his opposition to the policies of President Barack Obama. Reps. Mo Brooks and Gary Palmer are facing no Republican opposition in the primary election but will face Democrats Will Boyd Jr. and David Putman in the general. Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell is running unopposed.
Martha Roby thanks Jeff Sessions for his support in her re-election
On March 1, Republican voters in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District will head to the polls to cast their ballots between incumbent U.S. Rep. Martha Roby and challenger Wetumpka Tea Party leader Becky Gerritson — and if Alabama’s conservative Sen. Jeff Sessions has anything to say about it, Roby will emerge the victor. “I’ve been impressed with Martha Roby since she first came to Congress,” Sessions said in a release Wednesday. “Martha took the VA head on to make sure veterans in our state get the quality care they deserve. It’s rare to see someone stand up to a federal agency and get results the way she did. Martha works hard every day for our military, especially at our key Maxwell and Ft. Rucker bases, and she is known as one of the strongest pro-life advocates in Congress. Martha fights for constituents, and she’s an important part of our state’s delegation.” Roby has since said she was deeply honored by such words of support from a man she so greatly admires. “Senator Sessions is a bold, dynamic leader Alabamians are proud of, and I’m grateful to have his support,” Roby said in response to Sessions’ endorsement. “His breadth of knowledge on issues is unrivaled, which is why I have sought his counsel since even before I got to Congress. I admire Senator Sessions greatly, and I am grateful for his leadership within our delegation and our state.” Sessions isn’t the only throwing his support behind the Republican incumbent. Roby’s re-election has been bolstered in recent months by a strong showing of support from influential figures, well-known organizations and grassroots conservatives. She has also been endorsed by: 36 mayors representing every county in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, who cited Roby’s strong support for local military bases and involvement in community initiatives; The Alabama Farmers Federation, who said Roby has been “extremely responsive” to farmers’ concerns on federal issues. Agriculture is Alabama’s largest industry, supporting more than 93,000 jobs in AL-2; and The Alabama Patriots, the state’s oldest Tea Party organization, whose leader, Danny Joyner touted Roby’s work fighting to protect the unborn and defend Second Amendment rights.
