Anti-gambling coalition urges Kay Ivey to reject gambling legislation for any 2022 special sessions
This year, the Alabama legislature considered but did not pass any bills to expand gambling in the state. This year Gov. Kay Ivey told 1819 News that her greatest regret of the 2022 Alabama Regular Session was that gambling legislation did not pass. “I was disappointed that they did not get the gambling bill passed,” Ivey said. “Not that I am so much for gambling, but I do think the people of Alabama ought to have the right to make that decision. I wish that had passed the legislature so that people could vote it up or down in November.” That statement prompted an anti-gambling coalition to urge Gov. Ivey to avoid bringing the gambling issue up during any special sessions in 2022. According to a press release from the group, it has been reported that $1.5M “dark money” has recently been contributed to Governor Ivey’s re-campaign for governor. The group says it’s been rumored that at least half of that money was donated by pro-gambling organizations. In April, WBRC reported that Ivey’s largest donor, Get Families Back to Work, contributed two $750,000 contributions to her campaign. It’s the largest single donation Ivey’s received since 2013. Additionally, the group pointed out that PCI (Poarch Creek Indians) never stopped advocating or advertising for gambling expansion, even though the regular legislative session ended April 8th. The Alabama Legislature and Alabama voters have rejected gambling at the ballot box. Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Glenn Murdock stated, “Our founders understood how destructive gambling is for families and communities and included a blanket prohibition against it in Alabama’s constitution. As a legal and practical matter, if that clause is removed from our constitution to allow a lottery, it will open the door to all forms of Las Vegas-style gambling throughout Alabama.” The group is calling on Ivey to resist pressure from big-money donors and gambling operators who are currently breaking state law and enforce the gambling laws that prohibit state-sponsored games of chance. The anti-gambling group includes: Eagle Forum of Alabama AL Conservative Coalition AL Christian Education Association SE Law Institute Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) Christian Citizen Task Force Thatcher Coalition Citizens for a Better Alabama Alabama Policy Institute
Five things you need to know about Brad Mendheim
The primary elections are over, but some highly sought spots still remain open due to the primary races resulting in runoffs. One of those races is for the Supreme Court, Place 1. Incumbent Brad Mendheim and Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Sarah Stewart both garnered enough support to tip the race into a a runoff election set for July 17. With that in mind, here are five things you need to know about Brad Mendheim: 1. He was appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to replace Justice Glenn Murdock. In January 2018, Mendheim was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey after Alabama Supreme Court Justice Glenn Murdock announced his resignation. “In appointing someone to serve on the Alabama Supreme Court, it is imperative to appoint someone with impeccable legal credentials and with unquestioned character and integrity; Judge Brad Mendheim exceeds those requirements,” Ivey said in a news release. “With more than 17 years of judicial experience, Judge Mendheim will bring the valuable knowledge of a trial judge to the highest court in our state. As an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, I know Judge Mendheim will follow the law and serve with honor.” 2. He has served as a judge for over 15 years. In 2001 Mendheim was elected to serve as district judge in Houston County, a position he held until 2008 when he was elected to serve as a circuit judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit covering the Henry and Houston Counties near the Georgia and Alabama state lines. He was then reelected in 2014 for another six year term before Ivey appointed him as a Supreme Court judge in 2018. 3. He’s presided over 300 jury trials. According to Mendheim’s campaign page, he’s presided over 300 jury trials and has twice been called upon to has been called upon to sentence men to death for their convictions for capital murder. He’s also presided over numerous cases of crimes against children, violent felonies, criminal cases, and small claims cases over the course of his career. “I’ve been a trial court judge for most of my career, and I look forward to bringing that experience to the Supreme Court, while working with my new colleagues to ensure justice is achieved in every case we hear,” Mendheim said when he was appointed to the Supreme Court. 4. He served six and a half years as an Assistant District Attorney Before he became a judge, Mendheim worked at a law firm in Dothan for several years. He was then given an opportunity to serve as an assistant district attorney for the 20th Judicial Circuit where he served for just over six years. “As a local prosecutor, he handled every type of criminal case, from the most minor traffic ticket to death penalty cases. Brad personally tried over 120 criminal jury trials, most of which were serious felonies and crimes of violence,” said Mendheim’s campaign page. 5. He was born in Dothan and still lives there. Born to the late Brady and Nancy Mendheim in Dothan, Ala. Medheim attended Auburn University to obtain his bachelors degree and Samford’s Cumberland School of Law for his J.D. But Mendheim had a love for his hometown, and returned after school to begin his career in law, and has spent 17 years serving the area as a judge.
