Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin endorses local candidates
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has been busy the past few days making endorsements in local races ahead of Tuesday’s election. Woodfin first took to social media on Saturday where he endorsed Danny Carr for Jefferson County District Attorney. On Sunday he endorsed Felicia Stewart for State House District 46 as well as Mark Pettway for Jefferson County Sheriff. He continued his endorsements Monday morning adding Alli Summerford for State House District 48 to his endorsements list. All of the candidates Woodfin has endorsed are Democrats. Woodfin’s local endorsements thus far: Alli Summerford “Alli’s vision for Alabama is one that so many of us share: well-paying jobs, a 21st century education system, affordable healthcare, and an economy and state government that works for all of us, not just some of us. I am proud to endorse Alli for Alabama!,” Woodfin posted on Facebook. Mark Pettway “Mark Pettway’s focus on community policing and criminal justice reform will help to bring fresh ideas, transparency, and accountability to the Jefferson County Sheriff Office. I am proud to support Mark Pettway For Sheriff!” said Woodfin on Facebook Felicia Stewart “Felicia Stewart is a true public servant who expects more for our state and will work to solve real problems in public education, healthcare, clean water and other critical issues facing every day Alabamians. VOTE Felicia Stewart this Tuesday! #ExpectMore,” Woodfin posted on Facebook. Danny Carr Woodfin posted on Facebook, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Danny Carr for many years. You will be hard pressed to find a man that works as hard and cares about the people of our community as much as Danny Carr. His unwavering commitment to the people of Jefferson County over his 17 years of service has been highlighted through his work in the courtroom and his civic participation throughout our community. I am proud to endorse Danny Carr for Jefferson County DA.”
Pro-life Amendment Two gains additional support ahead of Election Day
With less than a week before voters head to the polls, Amendment Two continues to gain public support. Following Governor Kay Ivey’s public endorsement last week the pro-life constitutional measure picked up even more support on Wednesday with endorsements from Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Will Ainsworth who is the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor, as well as top leadership figures within the Alabama Legislature. “One of the biggest honors I have as your Attorney General is fighting for the rights of the unborn. I have aggressively defended Alabama’s pro-life laws and fought alongside other states as they did the same,” said Marshall in a statement. “Now, you have an opportunity to join me in standing for life by voting YES on Amendment Two.” Ainsworth echoed Marshall’s support of the Amendment. “As a candidate for Lt. Governor and, hopefully, once in office, I will continue to champion the pro-life cause and fight the liberal elites who mock conservative Alabamians for our stand,” Ainsworth said. “Each and every life is a gift from God, and I support the passage of Amendment 2 on Nov.6th .” The Alabama Fair Ballot Commission explains the constitutional amendment, which was sponsored and passed by Montevallo-Republican, State Rep. Matt Fridy, with the following description: Amendment 2 provides that it would be the public policy of the state to recognize and support the importance of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life; and to protect the rights of unborn children. Additionally, the amendment would make clear that the state constitution does not include a right to abortion or require the funding of an abortion using public funds. Legislative endorsements Leaders in both chambers of the Alabama State House have come out in support of Amendment Two. Monrovia-Republican, Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Mac McCutcheon: On November 6th, Alabama has the opportunity to show the nation how strong our conservative values are by adding language to our state constitution acknowledging the sanctity of unborn life. I am proud to stand behind Amendment Two and would encourage all Alabamians to vote yes on Tuesday, the 6th. Rainsville-Republican, State House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter: As Planned Parenthood and other liberal groups make their way into Alabama we are seeing our conservative values being attacked daily. It is crucial that Alabamians join together to fight for the rights of the unborn by voting yes for Statewide Amendment Two. Jasper-Republican, State Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed: Amendment Two will protect the sanctity of all life in Alabama by ensuring that our God-given rights extend to the most defenseless among us, unborn children. I urge my fellow Alabamians to stand for a culture of life by voting yes on Amendment Two on November 6th. Rainbow City-Republican, State Senator Phil Williams: Planned Parenthood has pumped nearly a million dollars of out-of-state dark money into Alabama to defeat Amendment Two. Planned Parenthood represents a culture of death, and their celebration of abortion-on-demand is sickening to see. President Trump is remaking the judiciary through the appointment of solid constitutional judges like Brett Kavanaugh, and Amendment Two will help make Alabama a haven for life as our nation returns to a respect for the U.S. Constitution and for the sanctity of all life. Amendment Two is one of four statewide amendment proposals that will be on the ballot on November 6.
Steve Marshall earns endorsements from 32 district attorneys statewide
Sitting Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has earned the support of 32 district attorneys from across the state in his bid for re-election, his campaign announced Wednesday. Six Democrats and 26 Republicans offered Marshall their support against his opponent, Democrat Joseph Siegelman. DA endorsements: Bill Adair, Walker County Kirke Adams, Dale & Geneva Counties Scott Anderson, Morgan County Tom Anderson, Coffee & Pike Counties Mike Anderton, Jefferson County Stephen Billy, Escambia County* Wilson Blaylock, Cullman County Robert Broussard, Madison County Pamela Casey, Blount County Christopher Connolly, Lauderdale County Kenneth Davis, Russell County* Greg Griggers, Greene, Marengo & Sumter Counties* Steve Giddens, Talladega County* Randall Houston, Autauga, Chilton & Elmore Counties Brandon Hughes, Lee County Errek Jett, Lawrence County Everette Johnson, Marshall County Brian Jones, Limestone County Patrick Jones, III, Henry & Houston Counties Jill Lee, Shelby County Brian McVeigh, Calhoun & Cleburne Counties Walt Merrell, Covington County Mike O’Dell, Cherokee & Dekalb Counties Jason Pierce, Jackson County Ben Reeves, Barbour & Bullock Counties* Ashley Rich, Mobile County Scott Slatton, Marion & Winston Counties Spencer Walker, Clarke, Choctaw & Washington Counties* Hays Webb, Tuscaloosa County Jeffrey Willis, Clay & Coosa Counties Jody Willoughby, Etowah County Robert Wilters, Baldwin County *denotes Democratic affiliation “Steve Marshall is the experienced prosecutor we need in the Attorney General’s office,” said Democratic District Attorney Ben Reeves, Jr. of Barbour & Bullock counties. “He has proven his commitment to the people of Alabama over the last year and a half and I’m confident he has what it takes to work with both Republicans and Democrats as we continue to fight crime in our communities.” Marshall served as a prosecutor and DA in Marshall County for over 15 years before becoming Attorney General. He is a past president of the Alabama District Attorneys Association and served as the state representative to the National District Attorneys Association.
6 former justices, including 3 Republicans, endorse Democrat Bob Vance for chief justice
Six former Alabama Supreme Court justices, including three Republicans, signed a letter on Monday endorsing Democratic Judge Bob Vance in the race for chief justice. The former justices, including two former chief justices, urged voters to pick Vance over Republican Associate Justice Tom Parker in the Nov. 6 election. Parker is a current member of the court. The former justices called Vance, a circuit judge in Jefferson County for the past 16 years, the most qualified for the position and said he would be a chief justice “of whom we could all be proud.” “He is clearly the most qualified candidate for this high office,” the letter read. “Bob also has judicial temperament and the legal acumen required to decide cases on their merit. He knows that politics has no place in legal decisions.” The three Republicans who signed the letter are former Chief Justice Drayton Nabers, former Associate Justice Tom Woodall and former Acting Chief Justice Gorman Houston. The Democrats signing the letter are former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and former associate justices John England and Mark Kennedy. The Parker campaign did not immediately respond to the endorsement letter. Vance received a similar endorsement in 2012 when he unsuccessfully ran for chief justice against Republican Roy Moore, for whom Parker once worked. Moore was twice stripped of chief justice duties after an ethics panel said he defied, or urged defiance of, federal court orders regarding same-sex marriage and the display of the Ten Commandments. In a campaign ad, Vance has contended Parker will be “another Roy Moore” if elected to head the state court system. Parker was elected to the Supreme Court in 2004. He won the GOP nomination this year after defeating Chief Justice Lyn Stuart with a campaign that appealed to social conservatives and emphasized his hope of one day overturning U.S. Supreme Court decisions such as the one that legalized abortion. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Alabama polling firm tests Taylor Swift’s political influence
Oooh, look what she made you do. According to Vote.org, 28-year-old country-to-pop superstar Taylor Swift swayed more than 65,000 nationwide to sign-up to vote in the 24 hours following her surprise Instagram endorsement of Democrat Phil Bredesen in the Tennessee U.S. Senate race last week. But according to new a new poll released Tuesday by Alabama-based Cygnal, a Republican polling and research firm, Swift’s “big reputation” did little to actually move the needle in the race against Republican Marsha Blackburn. With only 23 days left until the November 6 midterm elections, Cygnal found more than 86 percent of those polled say their vote hasn’t changed, despite 82 percent of respondents indicating they were aware of the endorsement altogether. “Millennial and Gen Z voters are highly aware of the endorsement of the Democrat, but it did little to move their vote preference,” said Matt Hubbard, VP of Research & Analytics at Cygnal. “Swift’s endorsement is providing a boost to get-out-the-vote efforts, but we’re seeing minimal impact on the race.” The statewide survey, conducted October 13-14, of 414 likely general election voters under the age of 35 in Tennessee, shows Democrat Phil Bredesen (50 percent) with a 14-point lead over Republican Marsha Blackburn (36 percent) in this age segment. 10 percent of young voters remain undecided. “Anytime a celebrity endorses a candidate or speaks publicly about their political views, there’s always a risk of alienating fans on the other side of the aisle,” said Brent Buchanan, Cygnal’s President and Founder. “In this case, Swift’s endorsement may lead to ‘Bad Blood’ with her conservative fans.” Respondents that were swayed by Swift’s choice to ‘Speak Now’ were split between the candidates, with 5 percent saying that they would now support Bredesen, and 6 percent indicating they would now vote for Blackburn. The Swiftie Effect “Swifties” or Swift superfans, respondents who attended 4-5 of her concerts, heavily favor Bredesen: 48 percent-26 percent. His lead swells to +52 among concert-goers who’ve attended at least six of Swift’s shows, but the race is tighter among less passionate fans. Respondents who have attended only one of her concerts are evenly split between the two U.S. Senate candidates, with Bredesen polling +1. Swift’s endorsement This was Swift’s first political endorsement. The star has stayed silent on her political views for years. “In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now,” Swift wrote in her Instagram post. “I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country.” It remains to be seen whether this will be the first and last of Swift’s endorsements, or if she’ll do it over and over and over again. Read Swift’s full Instagram endorsement below: View this post on Instagram I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway. So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting! 🗳😃🌈 A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Oct 7, 2018 at 4:33pm PDT
Here’s everyone the Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed for the 2018 midterm elections
Alabama farmers are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to elections. Contributing $5 billion to the state’s agricultural industry, and operating on nearly nine million acres of land within the state; an endorsement from the political arm of the Alabama Farmers Federation, the Farm PAC, can carry major weight in an election cycle. Founded in 1921, the federation has grown to more than 360,000 members; the group focuses its attention on sending a powerful message, to the Statehouse in Montgomery and Capitol Hill in Washington. Here are the candidates who Farm PAC (the political arm of the ALFA) has endorsed who they believe have the best pro-farm record and attitude: U.S. Congress District 1: Bradley Byrne District 2: Martha Roby District 3: Mike Rogers District 4: Robert Aderholt District 5: Mo Brooks District 6: Gary Palmer District 7: Terry Sewell Statewide races Governor: Kay Ivey Lt. Governor: Will Ainsworth Secretary of State: John Merrill State Treasurer: John McMillan Attorney General: Steve Marshall* State Auditor: Jim Zeigler Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries: Rick Pate Public Service Commission Place 1: Jeremy Oden Place 2: Chris “Chip” Beeker Jr. Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice: Tom Parker* Place 2: Tommy Bryan Place 3: Will Sellers* Place 4: Jay Mitchell Court of Civil Appeals Place 1: Christy Edwards Place 2: Chad Hanson* Place 3: Terry A. Moore* Court of Criminal Appeals Place 1: Richard Minor Place 2: Chris McCool Place 3: Bill Cole * = denotes change from the primary endorsements The updated list of State House and Senate endorsements can be found here. The group has also thrown their support behind State Constitutional Amendments 1, 2 and 4.
Donald Trump flexing his political muscles with GOP endorsements
Competing in a contested runoff campaign for Georgia’s governor, Brian Kemp didn’t see it coming: the single-most prized endorsement in Republican politics. When President Donald Trump tweeted his support last week of Kemp over his Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, the Georgia secretary of state was holding a news conference announcing another endorsement from a former primary rival. It was only later that Kemp found out the president had unexpectedly delivered his “full and total endorsement” without any advance warning. The endorsement ahead of Tuesday’s runoff was the latest example of how Trump has become more emboldened in offering his imprimatur on a number of Republican contests — despite being burned in a bitter Alabama Senate campaign last year. Three Trump administration officials said Trump endorsed Kemp after conferring with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, a former Georgia governor who officials said circumvented the internal process on endorsements to advocate on Kemp’s behalf. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. A representative for Perdue didn’t respond to a request for comment. Trump has also been inclined to endorse Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach for governor ahead of the state’s August 7 primary, two of the administration officials said. But aides have warned the president that it would alienate Republicans loyal to Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer, who succeeded Sam Brownback when Trump selected him for a diplomatic post. Last spring, Trump was on the verge of tweeting out an endorsement of Kobach but his staff intervened, warning of the repercussions, the officials said. But they said Trump may still endorse Kobach anyway. The political maneuvering puts the president at risk of being on the losing side of a Republican race, as he was in Alabama last year when he initially supported Sen. Luther Strange, who lost a Republican primary to Roy Moore. Trump then urged voters to support Moore in the general election, even after the former judge was stung by multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Moore lost the race to Democrat Doug Jones. “When he creates bad blood is when he splits with the establishment and makes the job holding the seat more difficult. Alabama is the best example of that,” said Alex Conant, a Republican strategist. However, he said, “for the most part, when Trump has endorsed a candidate it’s strategic and it helps the likelihood that we’ll keep the seat.” Despite the potential downside, Trump has stitched together a winning streak in Republican races that could benefit him in the months ahead. Trump’s willingness to serve as a kingmaker in Republican contests has allowed him to demand more loyalty within a party that once openly considered abandoning him during the final weeks of the 2016 campaign. And it has also been another tool to strengthen his base of supporters, who have followed his lead when he decides to make clear his preferences. The results of late have been to his liking. During a contentious West Virginia Senate primary, Trump heeded the call of Republicans by using his Twitter feed to urge Republican voters not to support Don Blankenship, the ex-coal executive who spent a year in federal prison for violating safety regulations in a deadly 2010 mine explosion. West Virginia’s attorney general, Patrick Morrisey, won the primary, giving Republicans a shot at defeating Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin in one of the top Senate battlegrounds. In South Carolina, Trump used a last-minute endorsement of state Rep. Katie Arrington to help oust Mark Sanford, a Republican congressman who had criticized the president. Trump also staged a rally on behalf of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who was among the first elected officials to publicly embrace Trump during his 2016 campaign. McMaster fended off his Republican opponent. And last week in Alabama, Trump tweeted out an endorsement of Rep. Martha Roby, a Republican who was facing a runoff against Bobby Bright, a one-time Democratic congressman. Roby easily dispatched Bright, who had tried to capitalize on Roby’s decision to distance herself from Trump after the “Access Hollywood” tape during the 2016 fall campaign. Roby has since sought to make amends with Trump, who triumphantly tweeted that his endorsement opened the “flood gates,” adding, “and you had the kind of landslide victory that you deserve.” In Florida, Trump is expected to rally Republicans next week on behalf of Gov. Rick Scott, who is running for Senate, and Rep. Ron DeSantis, a candidate for governor who faces Adam Putnam, the state’s agriculture commissioner, in the party primary. “Die-hard Putnam supporters would wish the president wouldn’t endorse. But at the end of the day whoever wins that primary will unite Florida Republicans,” said Tom Reynolds, former New York congressman and head of the GOP’s congressional fundraising arm. In Georgia, Trump’s endorsement of Kemp came on the heels of Cagle’s endorsement by Republican Gov. Nathan Deal and the National Rifle Association, a key Trump constituency. But a White House official said officials raised concerns about Cagle’s viability in the general election when they reviewed polling after the emergence of an audio recording in which Cagle is heard explaining he engaged in political maneuvering for a “bad public policy” bill for a tax credit scholarships program. Vice President Mike Pence, who led a rally on Kemp’s behalf Saturday, was among the White House officials who spoke to Trump about the Kemp endorsement, the White House official said. Pence’s chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is a former Georgia political consultant who served as a top strategist to Perdue. The official said Ayers was among a group of aides who raised concerns about Cagle’s viability but was not a deciding factor in Trump’s endorsement. “As you know, we had the momentum going into the final stretch,” Kemp said during Saturday’s rally with Pence. “But their support has created what we are now calling the ‘Kemp surge.’” Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Vice President Mike Pence endorses Martha Roby ahead of primary runoff election
Vice President Mike Pence threw his support on Friday behind Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby’s reelection campaign. “President Trump and I support Martha Roby – a strong supporter of tax cuts & President Trump’s pro-growth, America First agenda! Get out Tuesday and support Team Roby,” the Veep tweeted. Roby expressed gratitude to the Vice President for his endorsement and reaffirmed her commitment to their shared conservative agenda: “I am very grateful to Vice President Pence for his support in my campaign for reelection in Alabama’s Second District. I was fortunate to serve with the Vice President in the House, and I am proud to call him a friend. I deeply appreciate his endorsement, and I am eager to continue working with the Administration in the fight for our shared conservative priorities.” Pence’s endorsement comes three weeks after President Donald Trump endorsed the four-term Congressman, and just four days ahead of the primary runoff election on July 17. On Tuesday, Roby faces-off with former U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright as neither garnered enough voters to avoid a runoff. It’s a familiar place for Roby, who unseated Bright in 2010, who was a then-Democrat. He has since turned a Trump-supporting-Republican who once held that very seat. The winner will go on to face Democrat Tabitha Isner in the November 6 general election.
My runoff picks are easy: I’m voting for decency and truth
Here we are again — it’s crazy time in the runoff elections. We are seeing a lot of shenanigans on the Republican side of the ticket from each of the major races and candidates. I have yet, in the three years that I’ve run this website, to do public personal endorsements. I have debated whether or not I was going to post my thoughts this time around, but given the mean spiritedness of the cycle I have decided I would share with you my perspective and point of view on some of the hottest races. Without further adieu, in the race for Agriculture Commissioner, I’m absolutely infuriated by the fact any candidate would make light of domestic violence and use it try and get ahead in a race. No matter how close a race gets there’s no excuse for that… Gerald Dial there’s no way you’re getting my vote after the stunt you’ve just pulled. Divorces have a way of bringing out the worst in some people and according to Rick Pate’s ex-wife her allegations against her husband were not true. Everyone who knows Rick Pate has decried the decades old claims against him. I understand the value of opposition research as much as anyone in this process and I know that getting the truth out would be important should these allegations have any truth to them but they don’t and it’s just wrong to use them as a weapon. I’ve never given as much consideration to under-voting as I have in the race for Attorney General. I felt strongly going into the runoff that I would be voting for Troy King based on his record and experience. Steve Marshall is a Democrat he can deny it all he wants but King’s right to point out that Marshall changed parties because he knows a Democrat can’t get elected statewide in Alabama (*under normal circumstances). My biggest gripe with Marshall is that I don’t feel like he has used the opportunity he’s been given by Governor Robert Bentley to step up and step into the role to the best of his abilities. If he claims he has then surely he doesn’t deserve to be elected for a full-term. He’s wielded the power and authority of the office to punt on Ethics Reform, to kow-tow to the people he thought could help him get reelected and while that’s helped him raise money I don’t think it’s impressing voters like me much. On the other hand, Troy could have run a more positive race based on his credentials without beating up on Marshall and his fundraising all the time. Let’s be clear, the majority of voters aren’t going to be swayed by the argument that Marshall’s campaign has gone crazy in terms of campaign finance. I’m tired of hearing about it from King and his campaign. Enough already. I’ve knocked on thousands of doors over the last 15 years or so and I can count on one hand the number of people who would put campaign finance issues at the top of their list of issues. For our attorney general I’m looking for consistent conservative views. I’m looking for proactive consumer protection. I’m looking for justice and fairness. I’m looking for someone who respects the constitution and the second amendment in particular. Troy King’s experience won me over this race and his campaign nearly lost my vote. Then, in the race for the Lt. Governor boy do voters have a tough pick. I think highly of and respect Twinkle Cavanaugh. As a woman, as a conservative, for what she’s done in the PSC (“Right Sizing” the office) and the heat she’s taken in her work there. I think she’s not given enough credit for her efforts. She’s really an all-around great person in my opinion. And yet, I can’t vote for her this election. It was tough with her and Will Ainsworth, going into this knowing both of their records, but at the same time I believe that Will will do better leading the state senate to the right. We need someone with backbone at Lt. Governor, someone who has shown they can and will stand up for what’s right. Will is the reason Bentley didn’t get his tax increases. He’s shown he can lead without alienating and he’s running a positive campaign. Every time I hear Twinkle’s radio ads hitting Will it makes my skin crawl. I know negative ads work in general but they don’t work on voters who know them to be untrue and these ads are just untrue. There’s probably a lot one could say about Will from his time in the House; you don’t hold strong on your principles and not make enemy’s from those who want the status quo to continue. Negative untrue ads and attacks suck. Twinkle knows that, she’s experienced it firsthand. But to say Will’s not conservative because like everyone else, like me even, he questioned President Donald’s Trump’s sincerity and conservatism during the presidential primary that’s absurd! I’m more worried about those who didn’t at some point question Trump’s candidacy. As for his record, it speaks for itself and it’s clear he’s a conservative. Heck, some would say he’s too conservative. So with that in mind, his record, the insanity of the ads Twinkle’s campaign is running against him and the fact she’ll stay in the PSC if she’s not elected I’m voting for Will. We’ve only got a few more days left until the election. Let’s get it over and move on. I’m hoping there’s no more mean crazy underhanded things to come but I won’t hold my breath.
Here’s everyone the Alabama Republican Assembly has endorsed in the 2018 primary runoff election
The Alabama Republican Assembly — a grassroots organization tasked with reforming the Republican Party for the vast and disenfranchised majority of its members: Reagan conservatives, who believe in small government, lower taxes, free market capitalism, a strong defense, the right to life, and a decent America — has made its endorsements for the 2018 primary runoff election. The group recently met in Northport, Ala., where they voted on their recommendations for statewide and federal offices ahead of the primary runoffs on July 17. Below are the candidates the group believes are most committed to conservative values, the rule of law, and changing the corrupt culture in politics: Statewide Races Attorney General: Troy King Commissioner of Agriculture: Rick Pate Associate Justice Place 1: Sarah Stewart Court of Civil Appeals Place 1: Michelle Manley Thomason Court of Criminal Appeals Place 2: Chris McCool United States Congress U.S. Congress District 2: Martha Roby
Here’s a look at all of the major endorsements in statewide races
Here’s an overview of each the major statewide races by party, then candidate (in alphabetical order). Below we highlight all of candidate’s major endorsements from top well-known groups across Alabama/the country. Names in red link to our “Get to Know” candidate survey, which we believe offers an interesting, albeit, thumbnail sketch of who the candidate is and why they are running. Governor’s race REPUBLICANS Tommy Battle Scott Dawson Endorsed by: Alabama Republican Assembly; BamaCarry Bill Hightower Endorsed by: Alabama Citizens for Life Kay Ivey Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Citizens for Life; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Retail PAC; Alabama Trucking Association; Manufacture Alabama; Business Council of Alabama; NRA DEMOCRATS Sue Bell Cobb Christopher Countryman James Fields Walt Maddox Endorsed by: Alabama Democratic Conference; Alabama New South Alliance; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; Central Alabama Labor Council; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Professional Firefighters of Alabama; United Mine Workers of America; West Alabama Labor Council; more. Doug Smith Anthony White Lt. Governor’s race REPUBLICANS Will Ainsworth Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; BamaCarry Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh Endorsed by: Alabama Associated General Contractors; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Associated General ContractorsAlabama Retail PAC; Manufacture Alabama; Alabama Veterinary Medical Association; Business Council of Alabama; Susan B. Anthony List Rusty Glover Endorsed by: Alabama Citizens for Life; Conservative Christians of Alabama; Alabama Republican Assembly DEMOCRATS Will Boyd Secretary of State REPUBLICANS Michael Johnson John Merrill Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Citizens for Life; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Republican Assembly; Alabama Retail PAC; Alabama Trucking Association; Business Council of Alabama; Conservative Christians of Alabama DEMOCRATS Lula Albert Heather Milam Endorsed by: Alabama Democratic Conference Treasurer REPUBLICANS David L. Black Stephen D Evans John McMillan Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Retail PAC; Business Council of Alabama; Conservative Christians of Alabama; Alabama Trucking Association; DEMOCRATS N/A Attorney General REPUBLICANS Chess Bedsole Endorsed by: Conservative Christians of Alabama Troy King Steve Marshall Endorsed by: Alabama Citizens for Life; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Retail PAC; Alabama Trucking Association; Business Council of Alabama; Manufacture Alabama; NRA Alice Martin Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Republican Assembly; BamaCarry DEMOCRATS Chris Christie Endorsed by: Alabama Democratic Conference Joseph Siegelman Endorsed by: Alabama New South Alliance Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries REPUBLICANS Tracy “T.O.” Crane Gerald Dial Endorsed by: Alabama Citizens for Life; Manufacture Alabama; NRA Cecil Murphy Rick Pate Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Republican Assembly; Business Council of Alabama; Conservative Christians of Alabama DEMOCRATS N/A Alabama Supreme Court REPUBLICANS Chief Justice Tom Parker Endorsed by: Alabama Citizens for Life; Alabama Republican Assembly; Conservative Christians of Alabama Lyn Stuart Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Retail PAC; Business Council of Alabama; Manufacture Alabama Associate Justice, Place 1 Debra Jones Endorsed by: Alabama Republican Assembly; Conservative Christians of Alabama Brad Mendheim Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Retail PAC; Business Council of Alabama; Manufacture Alabama Sarah Hicks Stewart Endorsed by: Business Council of Alabama Associate Justice, Place 2 Tommy Bryan Endorsed by: Alabama Forestry Association; Business Council of Alabama Associate Justice, Place 3 Will Sellers Endorsed by: Alabama Forestry Association; Business Council of Alabama Associate Justice, Place 4 John Bahakel Endorsed by: Alabama Republican Assembly; Conservative Christians of Alabama Jay Mitchell Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Retail PAC; Business Council of Alabama; Manufacture Alabama DEMOCRATS Chief Justice Bob Vance, Jr. Endorsed by: Alabama New South Alliance Associate Justice, Place 4 Donna Wesson Smalley Endorsed by: Alabama New South Alliance Court of Civil Appeals REPUBLICANS Place 1 Christy Olinger Edwards Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Retail PAC; Manufacture Alabama Pat Thetford Michelle Manley Thomason Endorsed by: Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Republican Assembly; Conservative Christians of Alabama Place 2 Chad Hanson Terri Willingham Thomas Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Republican Assembly; Alabama Retail PAC; Business Council of Alabama; Conservative Christians of Alabama; Manufacture Alabama Place 3 Terry A. Moore Endorsed by: Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Business Council of Alabama DEMOCRATS N/A Court of Criminal Appeals REPUBLICANS Place 1 Richard Minor Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Republican Assembly; Alabama Retail PAC; Business Council of Alabama; Conservative Christians of Alabama; Manufacture Alabama Riggs Walker Place 2 Rich Anderson Chris McCool Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Republican Assembly; BamaCarry; Alabama Retail PAC; Business Council of Alabama; Conservative Christians of Alabama; Manufacture Alabama Dennis O’Dell Place 3 Donna Beaulieu Bill Cole Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Forestry Association; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Alabama Republican Assembly; Alabama Retail PAC; Business Council of Alabama; Conservative Christians of Alabama; Manufacture Alabama DEMOCRATS N/A Public Service Commission REPUBLICANS Place 1 Jim Bonner Jeremy H. Oden Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Manufacture Alabama Place 2 Chris “Chip” Beeker Jr. Endorsed by: Alabama Farmer’s Federation; Alabama Grocer’s Association; Manufacture Alabama Robin Litaker Endorsed by: Conservative Christians of Alabama DEMOCRATS Place 1 Cara Y. McClure Place 2 Kari Powell *If you are a candidate who wins the primary would like to complete the questionnaire, ahead of the November general election, email Elizabeth@ALToday.com.
Here’s everyone the Alabama New South Alliance has endorsed in the 2018 election cycle
Hundreds of members from Alabama New South Alliance (ANSA), the political arm of the Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC), has announced its endorsements of races across the state ahead of the June 5 primary. According to their website, the purpose of the Alabama New South Coalition is to promote the general welfare of all people through independent focused organizations dedicated to progressive ideals of freedom, justice and democracy. Our specific objectives are to effect solutions to social, economic and community problems by constructively promoting: Community focused organization Voter registration and education Economic development Cultural awareness Leadership development Youth development Progressive legislation and; to coalesce and assist organizations with similar objectives. ANSA members gathered Saturday, April 21 at the Maggie Street Dream Center in Montgomery, Ala. for their Spring Endorsement Convention. After hearing from statewide, congressional, legislative, and multi-county candidates, ANSA made their endorsements for the June 5 primary election. Here are the candidates who the Alabama New South Alliance has endorsed, who they believe will best promote “progressive” ideals and legislation while in office: U.S. Congress District 1: Robert Kennedy, Jr. District 2: Tabitha Isner and Audri Scott Williams (dual endorsement) District 4: Lee Auman Statewide races Governor: Walt Maddox Attorney General: Joseph Siegelman Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice: Bob Vance Associate Justice Place 3: Will Sellers Associate Justice Place 4: Donna Wesson Smalley State Senate District 23: Malika Sanders-Fortier State House District 69: Kevin Lawrence State Board of Education District 8: Jessica Fortune Barker State Democratic Executive Committee 70: Eva Prewitt 71: John Zippert Additionally, the Third District of Alabama New South Alliance met on Saturday, May 5 at the Ebenezer CME Church in Loachapoka, Ala. as a continuation of the Third District meeting at the ANSA convention held on Saturday, April 21 in Montgomery, Ala. There, they made the following endorsements. U.S. Congress District 3: Mallory Hagan State Senate District 13: Darrell Turner State House District 32: Barbara Boyd District 38: Brian McGee District 82: Johnny Ford District 83: John Andrew Harris Board of Education District 2: Adam Jortner State Democratic Executive Committee Patsy-Boyd Parker
