Kay Ivey running for re-election in 2022
Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has qualified to run for re-election to the state’s highest office in 2022. Making the announcement via the official governor’s Facebook page, Ivey said she “enjoyed visiting with supporters” at the state Republican Party headquarters where she “qualified to run in the 2022 Republican Primary for Governor” Tuesday morning. “I look forward to asking Alabamians for their support so we can continue to deliver results to the people of our state,” Ivey said in the post. “I am proud to be your Governor and would be honored to serve Alabamians for a second term. We have accomplished a lot, but there is more that needs to be done. The primary election is scheduled for May 24. Ivey completed the paperwork and also paid the qualifying fee of $2,491.28 to run for the office. Before being elected governor, Ivey served as lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2018 and served as Alabama treasurer from 2003 to 2011. Ivy is a graduate of Auburn University, Duke University’s Governor’s Center for Public Policy, Alabama Banking School, and the University of Colorado School of Banking. She has worked as a high school teacher, a bank officer, and was Assistant Director of the Alabama Development Office. According to BallotPedia, Ivey could potentially have five other party members to beat out to win the party’s nomination. Potential opponents in the primary include Lynda Blanchard, Stacy George, Tim James, Dean Odle, and Jim Zeigler. The website names Christopher Countryman and Chad Chig Martin as candidates in the Democratic primary. William Califf, who runs Ivey’s campaign, told Yellowhammer News, that the governor has “been a fighter for Alabamians” and “has consistently delivered strong results to the people of this state. “Governor Ivey has achieved the lowest unemployment rate in Alabama history, created over 44,000 new jobs, secured record funding for our schools with record pay for our teachers, and banned transgender athletes from competing in school sports,” Califf told the news outlet. “She made substantial improvements to our state’s infrastructure, signed the strongest pro-life bill in the country, strengthened the integrity of our elections, banned vaccine passports, and the list goes on.” By Brent Addleman | The Center Square Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Activist Christopher Countryman running for Alabama governor
A licensed minister, motivational speaker and civil and human rights activist has set his eye on the Alabama Governor’s mansion. Christopher Countryman of Dothan announced he is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, al.com reported. Countryman will kick off his campaign with a statewide listening tour to hear concerns of voters, his campaign said in a press release. He also will talk with voters about his positions on renewable energy, infrastructure development, economic recovery, education and health care reform and other issues, the campaign said. It’s not Countryman’s first shot at the office. He ran for governor in 2018. Countryman and his husband, Bruce Countryman, founded Equality Wiregrass in 2015 while advocating for marriage equality in Alabama. He also founded The Rethink Alabama Movement, which works to educate voters on issues and to mobilize and train grassroots volunteers, according to his campaign. Countryman is the only announced Democrat in the race to replace Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, who is seeking a second full term. Dean Odle, a pastor from Opelika, and Stacy Lee George, a correctional officer and former county commissioner from Morgan County, are challenging Ivey for the Republican nomination. Chad Chig Martin of Enterprise is running as an independent. The primary is May 24, 2022. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
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.
Walt Maddox releases School Safety Plan
With school safety on the forefront of everyone’s minds; Walt Maddox released his school safety plan that he would implement if elected Governor on Wednesday. “Our children deserve a bright and safe future,” Maddox said on his campaign website. “There is no higher priority for government, for society, than ensuring that our children are protected.” Legislative officials are under pressure to make a decision regarding school safety given last week’s national school walkout meant to honor the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting Parkland, Fla. In his release, Maddox listed five school safety strategies that he will instill if elected Governor of Alabama: School hardening Training school security officers and staff Restrictions on guns Early identification of potential attacker Support gun control 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, Scott Dawson, or Michael McAllister. Read Maddox’s full school safety plan below: 1. School Hardening Our schools were built with open doors and were never constructed with the level of security in mind that we now must demand. Our schools have become soft targets for those who want to harm our children and our way of life. All future schools must be designed and built with security as a central focus. In addition to the physical improvements, every Alabama school must be protected by a trained and certified law enforcement professional (School Security Officers). 2. Training school security officers and staff School Security officers will be highly trained to work with in a school environment. There will also be required active shooter and other school safety training for local law enforcement, staff and administrators. Planning and integration of responses are vital in preventing these incidences or saving lives. 3. Restrictions on guns No gun will ever be allowed on a school premise at any time except for the trained school security officers. 4. Early identification of potential attacker Protocols will be in place to identify people who are prone to violence in an effort to prevent any harm. This includes the integration of the Department of Mental Health, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and local law enforcement and school systems. 5. Support gun control We will fully support rational gun control efforts to ensure those that are mentally unstable do not get guns. Together, we can secure our schools, make our children safe, and protect the future by allowing our students to focus on their reason for being there – to improve their minds, expand their knowledge, and prepare them to be the leaders of tomorrow.
