Five things you need to know about Bob Vance
Now that the runoff elections are over, voters are turning their attention to the November General Election less than 90 days away. In the race for Chief Justice, Democratic nominee Judge Bob Vance ran without opposition in the June 5 primary. Now he moves to the General Election, facing Republican nominee Associate Justice Tom Parker. With that in mind, here are the five things you need to know about Bob Vance: 1. Worked as a lawyer for 16 years before becoming a judge Vance attended the University of Virginia School of Law, returning to Birmingham in 1986 to join the law firm of Johnston Barton Proctor Swedlaw & Naff. There, he focused his practice on several forms of litigation, including commercial and class action defense and employment cases, according to his campaign website. 2. He’s been a Circuit Judge since 2002 Vance was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Jefferson County Circuit Court in 2002 – and it stuck. 3. He ran for re-election in 2004, 2010 and 2016 — without opposition. Since his appointment in 2002, Vance has sought re-election to the seat three times, running without opposition. As a Circuit Judge, Vance has presided over numerous civil actions cases including: medical malpractice, automobile accident disputes, and workers’ compensation claims. 4. He’s run for this seat before In 2012, Vance entered what he knew was going to be an uphill battle for the Chief Justice seat, running against former Chief Justice Roy Moore. Although he knew the fight to the top would be tough, Vance came within 4 points of beating Moore. “We have gotten our message out effectively. We have competed against a very well-known opponent in a very red state, and we have fought down to the wire, and I am proud of our efforts in that regard,” Vance told AL.com. 5. He’s the son of Robert S. Vance, former chairman for the Alabama Democratic Party Robert S. Vance was the Chairman for the Alabama Democratic Party in the mid 1960’s. “He was very much a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement,” Bob Vance told AL.com. “He got involved in politics and eventually he was elected as chair of the Alabama Democratic Party, I believe in 1966.” In 1989, Robert Vance received a package, he brought it inside, and placed it on the table in front of his wife. As he opened the package a pipe-bomb exploded across the kitchen, killing Vance, and severely injuring his wife. “At first I was angry. I was angry and frustrated,” Vance continued. “And of course for a while I had those questions. Who did this, Why did he do it?” In 1991 Walter Leroy Moody was convicted of killing Vance, Moody himself was executed by the state of Alabama earlier this year.
Walt Maddox has more cash on hand, more individual donors than Kay Ivey
Campaign finance reports filed this week with the Secretary of State’s office show gubernatorial candidates Walt Maddox and Kay Ivey very close to one another in campaign fundraising; with Maddox showing more cash on hand. This week, benefiting from individual donations from across the state, Maddox closed the gap between himself and Ivey garnering almost $246,000 in campaign contributions. Ivey raised just a hair more than Maddox, reporting $248,523 in campaign contributions. The real difference is in the cash on hand totals. Last month Maddox reported $222,442 in cash on hand after receiving numerous donations from a plethora of individuals, while Ivey’s report revealed she had $458,674 in cash on hand. After this week’s filings, Ivey showed $271,477 in cash on hand while Maddox reported $313,249 in cash leftover from the month’s expenditures. “We are very encouraged by the latest fundraising report. Not only are we neck and neck with Kay Ivey in this month’s total, we have more cash on hand. Most exciting is the fact that we had over 40 pages of individual donors and Kay only had 12,” said Maddox’s Communications Director Chip HIll. “This continues to be a great indicator of the popular support that’s out there for Walt Maddox as more and more voters, Republicans and Democrats, respond to Walt’s vision for Alabama. While we certainly feel momentum is in our favor, we know that Kay Ivey is a formidable opponent who after 30 plus years in Montgomery knows how to find money.” Kay Ivey Campaign finance report – July: Kay Ivey Monthly Campaign Finance Report – July 2018 Walt Maddox Campaign finance report – July: Walt Maddox Monthly Campaign Finance Report – July 2018
House District 102 winner to be announced today
Out of the over 20 runoff races statewide only a few resulted in a margin just too close to call, one of those races; Mobile County’s House District 102. The two candidates; Satsuma Police Chief Shane Stringer and The Call News Publisher and owner Willie Gray were neck-and-neck receiving a total of 5,103 votes, with Stringer garnering only 25 more votes than Gray. However, the outcome of the race remains to be seen due to provisional ballots in the county that haven’t been counted. According to a news release from the Probate Court in Mobile county, there were 154 provisional ballots in Mobile County cast last week, with 58 in House District 102. The probate court was still counting the votes Tuesday afternoon. Whichever candidate is claimed the winner Tuesday will automatically win in the November General Election, as there is no Democratic opponent for the House seat. Both candidates expressed their gratitude for voters, volunteers and their continuing wishes on their campaigns Facebook pages. “We are humbled by the overwhelming support from our friends, family, and all of the Stringer supporters,” Stringer wrote. “Words cannot fully express the amount of gratitude that we have for the love that you all have poured into our lives.” “Please be in prayer today as we head to Probate Court and get the provisional vote count. We will send out an update as soon as we can,” Gray posted on Facebook. “Thank you all so much for your support and trust in this campaign. We know whatever happens it’s God’s will! God Bless District 102 and God Bless Alabama!”
Meet your presumed new Agricultural Commissioner Rick Pate
Incumbent Agricultural Commissioner John McMillan announced in January that he would not be seeking reelection, opting for a run for State Treasurer instead. Four candidates stepped up to the plate seeking election in the June 5 primary, with former state Sen. Gerald Dial and Lowndesboro Mayor Rick Pate both garnering enough support to tip the race into a a runoff election. The runoff race took a dark turn when Dial began hurling insults at Pate and lying about him in a campaign ad. But the negative campaign strategy didn’t work, Pate won the runoff election with nearly 57 percent of the vote. Now, facing no Democratic challenger in the November general election, Pate has presumably won has race, and will become Agricultural Commissioner in 2019. With that in mind, here are the five things you need to know about Rick Pate: 1. He’s a cattle breeder and farmer. Pate’s father, Harold Pate was an award winning cattle farmer, and charter member of the National Cattlemen’s Association. “Pate is said to have done more over a longer period of time to promote and advance Charolais cattle in Alabama than any other individual,” said Auburn University. His son, candidate Rick Pate is now one of the owners and operators of the Pate Charolais farm, a Charolais cattle farm and breeder in Lowndesboro, Ala. 2. He’s been the Mayor of Lowndesboro since 1997 First elected in 1997, Pate has been the mayor of Lowndesboro, a town with a population of 107, since 1997. Under Pate’s leadership the town, southwest of Montgomery, has more than $1.2 million in cash reserves. In fact, the town operates a water system, which has twice been named the second-best-tasting water by the non-profit Alabama Rural Water Association. 3. He holds a bachelors degree in Horticulture. Pate attended the University of Auburn’s agricultural school, and earned a bachelors degree in Horticulture. Growing up, and spending nearly all of his life on a farm, has given him an affinity for farmers, and their lifestyle. “When I was approached about running for commissioner of agriculture and industries, I saw it as an opportunity to serve our state and promote the agricultural community that I know from my upbringing,” Pate said announcing his campaign. 4. He owns an award-winning landscaping business. Pate has built Pate Landscape Co., Inc. into an award winning, profitable business over 36 years. It currently employs 23 people. The firm has completed projects such as the Bryant-Denny Stadium Expansion in Tuscaloosa, AU School of Nursing & Pharmacy, Wetumpka WindCreek Casino and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing in Montgomery. 5. He holds several positions in the Alabama Republican Party. Not only a member of the Alabama Republican Party, Pate is vice-chair of the Lowndes County Republican Party and serves as the Lowndes County Place 1 member of the Alabama Republican Executive Committee.
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
Alabama Retail Association endorses over 50 candidates
With less than two months until the June 5 primaries, the Alabama Retail Association’s state political action committee, Alabama RetailPAC made a large number of endorsements on Friday. “The Alabama Retail Association believes these candidates understand the issues retailers face and that, if elected, these individuals will give retailers’ interests a fair hearing,” said Alabama Retail Chairman Jacob Shevin. The association evaluated each candidate’s record and discussed the ramifications of each race before providing their endorsement; “We are confident these candidates are the best choices for these positions,” said Rick Brown, Alabama Retail President. The Alabama Retail Association is an organization for retailers by retailers who represent retail businesses in Alabama Legislature and U.S. Congress. The association currently represents 4,200 members and 6,000 locations statewide, ranging from small, family owned retail stores to large national chains. Read the full list of candidate endorsements below: For the state’s constitutional offices, RetailPAC endorses: Governor Kay Ivey Lieutenant Governor: Twinkle Cavanaugh Attorney General Steve Marshall Secretary of State John Merrill State Treasurer: John McMillan For the appellate court races, RetailPAC endorses: Supreme Court Chief Justice Lyn Stuart Place 1 Associate Supreme Court Justice Brad Mendheim Place 4 Associate Supreme Court Justice: Jay Mitchell Place 1 Court of Civil Appeals Judge: Christy Edwards Place 2 Court of Civil Appeals Judge Terri Thomas Place 1 Court of Criminal Appeals Judge: Richard Minor Place 2 Court of Criminal Appeals Judge: Chris McCool Place 3 Court of Criminal Appeals Judge: Bill Cole For the Alabama Senate, RetailPAC endorses: District 2: Tom Butler, R-Huntsville District 4: Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman District 6: Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia District 8: Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro District 10: Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City District 12: Del Marsh, R-Anniston District 13: Randy Price, R-Opelika District 21: Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa District 25: Ronda Walker, R-Montgomery District 26: John Knight, D-Montgomery District 33: Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile District 34: Jack Williams, R-Wilmer For the Alabama House of Representatives, RetailPAC endorses: District 4: Parker Moore, R-Decatur District 9: Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle District 10: Mike Ball, R-Madison District 12: Corey Harbison, R-Cullman District 14: Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley District 16: Kyle South, R-Fayette District 19: Laura Hall, D-Huntsville District 22: Ritchie Whorton, R-Owens Cross Roads District 27: Wes Kitchens, R-Arab District 30: Robert McKay, R-Ashville District 31: Mike Holmes, R-Wetumpka District 32: Barbara Boyd, D-Anniston District 33: Ron Johnson, R-Sylacauga District 39: Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg District 42: Jimmy Martin, R-Clanton District 45: Dickie Drake, R-Leeds District 48: Jim Carns, R-Birmingham District 49: April Weaver, R-Alabaster District 55: Rod Scott, D-Fairfield District 56: Louise Alexander, D-Bessemer District 58: Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham District 60: Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham District 64: Harry Shiver, R-Bay Minette District 65: Elaine Beech, D-Chatom District 67: Prince Chestnut, D-Selma District 69: Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville* District 73: Matt Fridy, R-Montevallo District 76: Thad McClammy, D-Montgomery District 82: Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee District 85: Dexter Grimsley, D-Newville District 97: Adline Clarke, D-Mobile* District 102: Willie Gray, R-Citronelle District 105: Chip Brown, R-Mobile Alabama Retail Association PAC endorses these federal candidates: 2nd District: U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery 4th District: U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh candidate for Lieutenant Governor released a statement on Monday regarding her endorsement. “I am honored to receive the endorsements of job creators across Alabama,” said Cavanaugh. “Through the sale of food, clothing, furniture, medicine and much more, the Alabama Retail Association’s thousands of members touch almost every aspect of daily life in our great state. Having owned several small businesses, I have signed both sides of a paycheck and am committed to sound conservative policies that allow job creators to do what they do best. With education, infrastructure, and workforce development as priorities, our brightest days are ahead of us.” Alabama Attorney General candidate Steve Marshall said he was honored to receive the endorsement. “The backing of the Alabama Retail Association signals significant momentum for our campaign and I’m truly honored to receive their support.”
Challengers criticize absent Kay Ivey as governor skips debate
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s Republican primary challengers took aim Thursday night at her decision to skip a televised debate. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, state Sen. Bill Hightower and evangelist Scott Dawson criticized Ivey’s decision to not attend the Thursday debate hosted by WVTM-13 in Birmingham. Ivey was also in Birmingham Thursday night but was throwing out the first pitch at the Birmingham Barons’ minor league baseball game. Dawson said while Ivey is the incumbent, she was never elected or vetted for that post. Ivey, who was lieutenant governor, became governor automatically a year ago when then-Gov. Robert Bentley resigned in the midst of a sex-tinged scandal. “Our current governor was not elected to this position. She was appointed to this position and we deserve to know what she is going to do in the future,” Dawson said. “I have to start asking myself…Are we hiding something?” Dawson said. Asked why he was a better choice than Ivey to be the GOP nominee for governor, Hightower began with, “Well, I’m here. I’m answering your questions. That’s one.” Battle said it was “a shame” that someone would attend a baseball game instead of discussing the issues of the state. Ivey will also not attend a debate next week hosted by al.com. When asked about her debate absences, Ivey told The Decatur Daily Thursday morning that she was focused on governing. “This race is about our individual records and mine is an open book,” Ivey told the newspaper. The three candidates, who had a chance to put questions to each other, used the opportunity to take aim at the absent governor instead. Hightower said Ivey was “taking credit for a lot of things going on in Huntsville” such as low unemployment and the decision for Toyota and Mazda to build an auto plant in that city that will eventually employ 4,000 people. “I want to know how that makes you feel,” Hightower asked Battle. Battle responded chuckling that certain campaign ads make it look like “no one else was there” but said the effort was under way long before Ivey was governor. “It was a huge team effort. It was a local team effort We got the site ready for 10 years. I visited Japan for the past four years.” Battle said. Dawson asked Hightower if Ivey was “engaged” in dealings with the Alabama Legislature. Hightower, in what appeared to be a jab at Ivey’s age, replied that the state needed someone with “the vision, the vigor and the health to carry the state forward.” Ivey is 73. The three GOP candidates agreed on a number of other issues. All three opposed raising the state minimum wage. They also expressed support for Ivey’s proposal to put a work requirement on the state’s few able-bodied Medicaid recipients. Hightower and Dawson expressed opposition to a state lottery. Battle said a lottery could be a “financial tool” to help fund education programs but was not a “cure-all.” The primary election is June 5. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate in Birmingham, mostly agree on issues
The leading Democratic contenders for governor spent much — but not all — of a Wednesday night debate agreeing with each other. Former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and former state legislator James Fields appeared in the debate hosted by WVTM in Birmingham. All three expressed support for a state lottery. They also agreed Alabama should expand its Medicaid program, saying doing so would boost the entire health care system and curtail the closure of rural hospitals. They also took aim at a string of scandals that have engulfed GOP politicians in the state, and said they believed the right Democrat could win back the governor’s office for the first time in two decades. The only verbal fireworks came in an exchange between Cobb and Maddox who are largely considered the two front runners in the primary. Cobb questioned Maddox’s commitment to a statewide minimum wage increase since a local wage increase push faltered in Tuscaloosa while Maddox was mayor. “You had an opportunity to raise the minimum wage in the city of Tuscaloosa to $10.10,” Cobb said, noting that was before the passage of a statewide bill blocking cities from raising the local minimum wage. Maddox interrupted Cobb and asked if she would promise something she couldn’t legally deliver. He argued even before the statewide legislation, city attorneys across the state did not think that local governments had that authority to set a local minimum wage. “Would you be taking this position if you weren’t running for governor?” Maddox responded. In an effort to distinguish themselves both Maddox and Cobb emphasized their experience: Maddox as mayor of a city that had to rebuild after being ravaged by tornadoes and Cobb who spent decades on the judicial bench. “This election is about who is best capable to deliver us from crisis,” Maddox said. Cobb said she is the only candidate in the race who has written and helped pass bipartisan legislation. “It’s time to have a governor who cares more about the next generation than the next election,” Cobb said. Fields, a pastor, served in the Alabama Legislature for two years after becoming the first African-American elected in predominantly white Cullman County. Fields said it’s time for the state to elect someone different. “We can do the same thing and we’ll get the same results ….or we can make a change,” Fields said. The Republican contenders debate Thursday night. Gov. Kay Ivey is not participating. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
