Alabama Republicans dominate statewide races
As expected, Alabama Republicans won every statewide race. Kay Ivey was easily re-elected, and political newcomer Katie Britt will be the next U.S. Senator from Alabama. Republican incumbents Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, Attorney General Steve Marshall, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate, and Treasurer Young Boozer were easily re-elected. Republican State Representatives Wes Allen and Andrew Sorrell won the open Secretary of State and Auditor races. Republicans also held their supermajorities in both Houses of the Legislature and won the open State Supreme Court Justice race. Ivey won by an even larger percentage than in 2018 in 2022. Ivey had 69.9% of the vote as of press time. Yolanda Flowers’ 29.2% performance was the worst performance by a Democratic nominee in memory. Ivey improved her percentage victory by over 10% (69.9% versus 59.5%) of the vote; but actually had fewer votes than four years ago – 944,845 in 2022 versus 1,022,457 in 2018. Ivey’s two landslide victories makes her the most popular Republican governor in state history. Yolanda Flowers only received only 411,269 votes, whereas Walt Maddox received 694,495 votes. Ivey is the first Republican woman to serve as Governor of Alabama. She was already the longest-serving woman governor in state history and the first woman in state history to be re-elected as governor. Ivey won the 2022 election for governor, the 2018 election for governor, the 2014 election for Lieutenant Governor, the 2010 election for Lieutenant Governor, the 2006 election for State Treasurer, and the 2002 election for State Treasurer. This unprecedented run makes Ivey the most successful woman politician in the history of Alabama. Ivey, age 78, is also the oldest governor in the state’s history. Election night was hugely disappointing for Libertarians. While they did get ballot access for the first time since 2022, none of their candidates were able to get close to the 20% threshold needed to give the party ballot access in 2024 – even in statewide races where no Democrat even qualified. Gaining ballot access cost the Libertarian Party over $240,000 to get the necessary number of ballot access signatures to be on the ballot. If the party is going to be on the ballot in 2024, they will have to go through the ballot signature process. Libertarian candidate for Governor – Dr. Jimmy Blake, only received 45,825 votes (3.2%). It is unclear where Blake’s voters came from, disgruntled Republicans or Democrats who did not support Flowers. It was not a good night for write-in gubernatorial candidates. Dean Odle and Jared Budlong, representing the far right and far left respectively, received just 9,401 votes (0.67%). Since those votes will not be individually counted, so there is no way to know how many of those votes were Odle’s, Budlong’s, or someone else entirely. In the Senate race, Britt received 940,048 votes (66.6%). Democrat Dr. Will Boyd received 435,428 votes (30.87%). Libertarian John Sophocleus received 32,790 votes (2.32%). 2,454 Alabamians wrote in someone else. Britt is the first woman to win a U.S. Senate race in Alabama. In the Lieutenant Governor’s race, incumbent Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth won in a landslide. Ainsworth had 955,372 votes (83.69%). Libertarian Ruth Page-Nelson had 178,069 votes (15.60%) – far short of the 20% Libertarians needed to guarantee them ballot access in 2024. 8,066 Alabamians (0.71%) wrote in someone else. Incumbent Attorney General Steve Marshall coasted to re-election, receiving 953,284 votes (67.91%) versus 449,193 votes (32%) for Democrat Wendell Major. Major received more votes than any Democrat running statewide. In the Secretary of State’s race, Republican Wes Allen won 923,206 votes (65.9%). Democrat Pamela Lafitte got 435,558 (31.1%), and Libertarian Matt Shelby received 41,480 votes (3%). In the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries race, incumbent Republican Rick Pate cruised to victory 944,021 (84.3%) over Libertarian Jason Clark 169,869 (15%). In the State Treasurer races, Republican incumbent Young Boozer trounced Libertarian Scott Hammond with 944,792 votes (83.75%) to 174,472 votes (15.47%). For State Auditor, Republican Andrew Sorrell won 947,719 votes (84.4%), while Libertarian Leigh Lachine had 166,243 votes (14.81%). For Alabama Supreme Court Place 5, political newcomer Republican Greg Cook won 941,059 votes (67.42%), while Democrat Anita Kelly received 453,518 votes (32.49%). Incumbent Republican Alabama Supreme Court Place 6 Kelli Wise was unopposed winning re-election 995,688 votes (97.51%). For Public Service Commission Place 1, Republican incumbent Jeremy Oden defeated Libertarian Ron Bishop 934,987 (83.73%) to 172,733 (15.47%). For Public Service Commission Place 2, incumbent Republican Chip Beeker received 929,248 votes (83.18%), while Laura Lane had 179,302 votes. Lane received more votes than any other Libertarian, but her 16.1% was still far below the 20% threshold that the Libertarians needed statewide. The Alabama Republican Party also retained its supermajorities in both Houses of the Legislature. Democrats flipped one Alabama House seat in Montgomery County (Charlotte Meadows), while Republicans flipped one Democratic seat in the Wiregrass (Dexter Grimsley). These numbers are all unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State’s office. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Jimmy Blake hits Kay Ivey on dark money
In the closing days of the gubernatorial campaign, the Libertarian nominee for governor – Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake has attacked incumbent Governor Kay Ivey for accepting large donations from a dark money group in Virginia. Blake spoke with Alabama Today about this issue on Wednesday. “It avoids being honest with the people of Alabama,” Blake said when asked if taking the money was an attempt to violate the spirit of Alabama’s ban on Pac to Pac transfers law. By donating to the nonprofit corporation in Virginia, the group is able to donate to Ivey’s campaign without disclosing the true source of the money. “It could be the companies building the Governor’s new prisons. we just don’t know,” Blake stated. “Kay Ivey has received 1.7 million in Dark Money,” Blake’s campaign wrote on Facebook. “We don’t know who donated this dark money. But the mailing address for it is the same building as the Republican Governors Association in Northern Virginia. Don’t let dark money buy this election. Vote Dr. Jimmy Blake for Governor of Alabama!!!” Blake referenced a report from WBRC Fox 6 during the primary season that the Ivey campaign received two extremely large “dark money” contributions from a non-profit corporation in northern Virginia. This corporation does not have to report where the money came from. Then Republican gubernatorial primary candidate Stacy George made an issue of the dark money during the primary, but voters still preferred Ivey over him and the other seven Republicans in the May 24 primary field. George, who recently quit his position with the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC), is again making headlines again for his criticism of conditions within the prison system. Blake has also criticized Ivey for her handling of the prisons and the “inhumane” conditions there that are drawing national headlines. In 1986, the Alabama Democratic Party had commanding supermajorities in the Alabama Legislature, and Democrats dominated the courts and controlled how the constitutional statewide positions, including the governor’s office. Today, the Alabama Republican Party has commanding supermajorities in the Alabama Legislature, and Republicans dominate the courts and control how the constitutional statewide positions, including the governor’s office. “The power players have stayed the same they just changed from blue Democratic jerseys to red Republican jerseys,” Blake maintains. “Our state has been highjacked by big government Republican insiders who in the primary nudges out the honest small government conservatives,” Blake said in a video on his Rumble account. In addition to attacking Ivey, Blake has turned his attention to the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Katie Britt whom Blake called a “lobbyist for big government Washington special interests.” Blake has endorsed his friend, the Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate, John Sophocleus, in the Senate race. Blake is a medical doctor, former Birmingham City Councilman, former owner of American Family Healthcare – Birmingham’s first urgent care clinic, and former chairman of the Libertarian Party of Alabama. He has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a medical degree from UAB. The are 65 Libertarian candidates running on the ballot this November. “We believe that the ship of state must be turned back into the direction of more freedom and less government control,” Blake said. Democratic nominee for Governor Yolanda Flowers will also appear on the ballot along with Blake and Ivey in Tuesday’s election. Pastor Dean Odle and independent Jared Budlong are running as write-in candidates. Voters will go to the polls and vote on their leaders for numerous offices on Tuesday. They will also vote on ten constitutional amendments as well as whether or not to ratify a proposed recompiled version of Alabama’s 1901 Constitution. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey, Yolanda Flowers facing off this fall in gubernatorial race
Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey is seeking reelection in three weeks against a newcomer to the political arena in Democrat Yolanda Flowers. Ivey, who has a lengthy political resume, is completing her first full term as governor. She initially assumed the role in April 2017, after former Gov. Robert Bentley resigned in response to an ethics investigation and won the seat in the fall 2018 general election. Her previous stints in state politics have included multiple terms as lieutenant governor, stretching back to 2010, and two terms as state treasurer, beginning in 2002. This campaign season, Ivey has been pushing on several hot-button national topics in her reelection bid. “I believe every life is precious,” Ivey wrote on her campaign website. “As a pro-life governor, I will always fight to protect the unborn. I believe the Second Amendment is clear, and it ought to be protected. I will always defend our right as law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.” Flowers is challenging Ivey and is a newcomer to the political arena. She advanced as the party candidate after a primary runoff in June. Flowers’ background includes professional work as a rehabilitation specialist, assistant speech pathologist, and reading instructor. She has earned degrees in speech therapy, audiology, and rehabilitation counseling. This fall, Flowers has been using the word “reconstruction” to describe her platform for education, health care, criminal justice, and the economy. In the area of education, Flowers has stated her belief that the state lottery system should be used as a lever to infuse funds into Alabama’s public education system. “Education reconstruction means more funding for public schools, better-trained teachers, and desegregation,” Flowers wrote on her campaign website. Two other candidates are on the ballot. James Blake is running on the Libertarian ticket. He has a lengthy background in Alabama politics, running at times as a Republican or a Libertarian. In an example of his jostling between the parties, Blake, in May, was named to the Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee. In this fall’s campaign, Blake, through social media, explained why he is running as a Libertarian. “I think it’s time for integrity,” he wrote. “I’m tired of the special interests defeating honest small government conservatives.” Additionally, Jared Budlong is running as an independent, write-in candidate. The Florida native moved to Alabama in 1994 and has a professional background in furniture making and construction. “Many may fight for the working class,” a statement on Budlong’s campaign website reads. “Jared is fighting for everyone, including those typically left out of the political discourse.” The governor’s race is one of multiple on the upcoming Nov. 8 ballot. Other high-profile races include: The lieutenant governor’s race. Incumbent Will Ainsworth is seeking reelection as a Republican against challenger Ruth Page-Nelson. There is a three-way race in the Alabama secretary of state race, with Wes Allen running as a Republican, Pamela Laffitte running as a Democrat, and Matt Shelby as a Libertarian. One of Alabama’s U.S. Senate races also is up for grabs. Vying for the post are Democrat Will Boyd, Republican Katie Britt, and Libertarian John Sophocleus. Additionally, all seven of Alabama’s U.S. House of Representatives seats are contested. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Kay Ivey outpaces other gubernatorial candidates in September fundraising
The September campaign finance reports are in, and incumbent Governor Kay Ivey, the Republican nominee, is lapping her opponents in fundraising. According to the campaign finance reports filed by the Secretary of State’s office, the governor entered the month of September with $75,583.16 in her re-election account. During September, the governor raised another $316,011 in contributions. Ivey outspent everyone else in the race: combined with expenditures of $189,915.81 in September alone. Ivey enters the month with $201,678.35 in cash on hand. Ivey is only the second woman to be elected as Governor of Alabama. She is the longest serving woman governor in state history as Gov. Lurleen Wallace died of breast cancer in office during her one and only term. Ivey was twice elected as State Treasurer and twice elected as Lieutenant Governor; before being elevated to governor in 2017 when then Gov. Robert Bentley resigned. Ivey was elected to her own term of office in 2018. Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake is the Libertarian candidate for governor. Blake, as a challenger, enters the race with less name recognition than the incumbent governor. The way a campaign builds name recognition is through commercials: radio, TV, internet, print, direct mail, signs, and billboards, and all of that costs money in a state with over five million people and multiple media markets. The Libertarians did not even get ballot access until late May, so building a fundraising apparatus to challenge an incumbent Governor has been challenging. The Blake campaign began in September with just $834. Over the course of the month, Blake raised $9,325, spent $5,389.90, and entered October with $4,769.10 in cash on hand. The situation is even bleaker for the Democratic nominee for Governor. Yolanda Rochelle Flowers reported contributions for the month of just $2,150. The Democratic nominee only had $673.32 in funds coming into September. After spending just $2777.09, the Flowers campaign was left with only $46.23 entering October. The last three Democratic nominees for governor Walt Maddox, Parker Griffith, and Ron Sparks, were running campaigns that were at distinct disadvantages to their Republican counterparts. Still, ideological liberals, Democratic Party loyalists, and allied special interests did at least fund their campaigns. Flowers can’t raise money, and Democrats appear to have thrown in the towel on this and every other statewide race. Democrats aren’t giving to Flowers, who already has a mountain to climb to establish name recognition, much less win votes on election day. Flowers is the first Black woman to be nominated for Governor of Alabama by one of the two major political parties. Ivey, Blake, and Flowers are the only three candidates that will appear on the ballot on November 8, but there are also at least two write-in candidates who do not have the advantages of a statewide political party working for their cause. Write-in candidate Jared Budlong began the month of September with just $105.23 in his campaign account. Over the course of the month, he raised $918.40 in contributions for his campaign and borrowed another $370.07. Budlong spent $659.72 on the campaign and entered October with $733.98 in cash on hand. Lee county pastor and former Republican primary candidate Dean Odle is running as a write-in candidate. Odle entered the month of September with $12,081.61 in cash on hand. Odle reported cash contributions of $5,735.02, in-kind contributions of $666.40, expenditures of $11,550.16, and an ending cash balance of $6,266.47. To vote for Budlong or Odle, voters must check the write-in candidate as their choice for governor and then write in their name on the paper ballot. Republican candidates have dominated fundraising in this election cycle. Republican candidates have raised $46,753,741.68. Political Action Committees have raised $19,798,304.29 in contributions. The Democratic candidates have contributions of $7,282,846.27 combined. All other candidates, including the 65 Libertarian candidates on the ballot, have only raised $178,572.12 combined in this cycle. By comparison, Ivey by herself raised $316,011 just in the month of September. Ivey has raised $9,898,554.35 in this election – more than every Democrat, Libertarian, and independent candidate combined. The election will be on November 8. If, for some reason you are unable to vote on November 8, you can apply for and obtain an absentee ballot. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Court dismisses vote counting machine lawsuit
Friday, Montgomery Judge Greg Griffin issued an order dismissing a lawsuit seeking to block the use of vote counting machines in the November 8 general election. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall sought to dismiss the lawsuit against the state. The plaintiffs asked for a preliminary injunction to block the use of the vote counting machine. Judge Griffin allowed both sides to prevent evidence supporting their motions but ultimately found in favor of the State of Alabama. On Friday, Judge Griffin granted the State’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit and rejected the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction to halt the use of the voting machines. “Plaintiffs’ suit is due to be DISMISSED, and the Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction is due to be DENIED,” Judge Griffin wrote in his decision. “As to the Motion to Dismiss, this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction because Plaintiffs have alleged only a speculative injury that does not support standing. The Court additionally lacks subject matter jurisdiction because Plaintiffs’ alleged injuries are neither traceable to nor redressable by Defendants, because sovereign immunity pursuant to § 14 of the Alabama Constitution bars this suit, and because the jurisdiction-stripping statute bars this suit. This Court holds that even if it were to reach the merits, it would find that Plaintiffs fail to state a claim. Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preliminary Injunction is denied as moot. This Court finds that if it reached the Motion for Preliminary Injunction, it would be denied because Plaintiffs failed to meet the four required elements of a party seeking a preliminary injunction to which no preliminary injunction can issue. Plaintiffs have a higher burden than usual because they seek a mandatory preliminary injunction that would change the status quo.” “Plaintiffs fail to establish irreparable harm because their alleged injury is speculative,” Griffin wrote in his final judgment. “Further, the named Plaintiffs have failed to offer any testimony—whether by declaration or live at the hearing—to substantiate any allegations regarding their own circumstances. And without such evidence, Plaintiff has not met their burden to show that they themselves would suffer immediate and irreparable injury. Additionally, Plaintiffs have not shown that they are likely to prevail on the merits, and they have not shown that the balance of equities weighs in their favor given the significant financial and administrative burdens that their requested relief would impose and given that the 2022 General Election is only 59 days away.” Judge Griffin dismissed the case with prejudice. The case was brought by former Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynda Blanchard, State Rep. Tommy Hanes, Focus on America, and Dr. David Calderwood. Blanchard dropped out of the case and was replaced by former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman. The case was supported by lawyers for Mike Lindell. The My Pillow founder and CEO has claimed that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from then President Donald J. Trump. Blanchard said that she supported “the whole Republican ticket” and that the case was being used to promote write-in campaigns. Both Dean Odle and Jared Budlong are running write-in campaigns. Alabama Today spoke with Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill, the lead defendant in the case, following the Judge’s ruling. “28 and 0,” Merrill said, referring to the number of court challenges that the Secretary of State’s office has defeated in his tenure as Secretary of State. “This proves once again that we have the most dependable, the most reliable, and the most accountable election system in the country, and that has been verified by three different independent groups as well as by the courts. The only people who have not accepted that are those groups who have agendas to promote.” The state will use vote counting machines in the November 8 general election. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Jared Budlong running as a write-in for governor
Jared Budlong is seeking to be Alabama’s next governor. Budlong is running a write-in campaign for the office in the November 8 general election. On Thursday, Budlong spoke in a phone interview with Alabama Today. Budlong was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, into a working-class family; his father worked as a custom furniture maker but now works in the construction industry. Budlong has lived in Alabama since 1994. When asked why he did not qualify to run as an independent on the ballot, Budlong stated, “The biggest hurdle is the number of petitions.” He said that it would take approximately 52,000 signatures, roughly 3% of the registered voters in the state, for him to get access to the ballot as an independent or minor party candidate. “Attempting to get 52,000 signatures without a very large budget is next to impossible,” Budlong said. Alabama Today asked how difficult it has been for him to raise money as a write-in candidate. “As difficult as I would have expected,” Budlong said. “However, as of August, I have raised a comparative amount to the Democratic nominee.” Budlong said that he is in favor of Medicaid expansion. “Healthcare in our society is a medical necessity,” Budlong commented. “We should not let people die because they lack the ability to pay.” The state is expected to have a $2.5 billion surplus rollover into fiscal year 2023, which begins on October 1. When asked how he would spend that money if elected governor, Budlong said, “We would have to do an audit of the rest of our spending first. I would love to put it toward getting people out of prison as quickly as possible.” Alabama Today asked if doing that would make Alabama less safe by letting out thousands of violent and dangerous criminals suddenly into the population. “That is not the case,” Budlong responded. “I am not for releasing dangerous, violent criminals out of prison. 66% of them are in for poverty-related crimes.” “The end goal is to let as many people out of prison as possible,” Budlong said. Budlong said that the state should get them the training and the skills that they need to succeed before releasing them from prison and that “Reviewing the current cases” would be one of his first priorities as governor. “They may be worse off after they spent ten years in ADOC,” Budlong said of the presently incarcerated. Alabama Today asked if this exceeded the authority of the Governor as the legislature tasks the Alabama Pardons and Paroles Board with making decisions on when to release inmates, not the governor. “There are other mechanisms to get people out of prison,” Budlong said. “I am fervently opposed to the death penalty.” Alabama Today asked Budlong if he favored building a toll bridge over Mobile Bay. “I am not a fan of the toll aspect of that,” Budlong said. “I am directly impacted by that decision.” Budlong and his family live in Daphne, in Baldwin County, where any trip to their west in Mobile County would mean either paying to use the toll bridge or driving around. He has also lived in Birmingham. “I am in favor of the idea of legalizing medical marijuana,” Budlong said. “I would like to go beyond that and decriminalize marijuana as a whole.” However, Budlong did say that he had some problems with how the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission is awarding the licenses to participate in that. Budlong cited the “Large barriers” to getting a license. “It seems that it has set predetermined people to get those licenses,” Budlong said. Budlong said that he favors raising people out of poverty. “A part of that would be pushing for a living wage so people can live and stay in the state,” Budlong said. Another part of that is “universal income.” Budlong suggested that he would pursue federal dollars so that there is a basic income “keeping everybody above the poverty line.” The State Legislature passed constitutional carry allowing every Alabama citizen with gun rights to carry their weapons with them without having to purchase a permit from their sheriff. “I am not in favor of that specifically,” Budlong commented. “My concern about gun violence is not limited to the tools themselves. There is a much larger problem at hand.” Budlong said that he is not in favor of gun seizures. “We should not be stripping them from our citizens,” Budlong said. Budlong is not an advocate for a state lottery. Budlong said that he would not oppose a lottery if the legislature passed one, but he would not advocate for it either as a program that raises money for education, and the general welfare should not be funded on the backs of the poorest citizens. He also said that he would not spend state resources to close down casinos currently operating illegally in the state. “My opposition is not opposed to gambling, but what that program would do to poor citizens and residents,” Budlong said. Alabama Today asked if the state of Alabama has enough revenue coming in. “No, we are not unless there is an unknown black hole somewhere,” Budlong answered. “I need everyone to understand that I feel connected to the registered but inactive voters,” Budlong said. “1.4 million people did not vote at all (in the 2020 presidential election)…If you feel unheard, that is why I am running.” Budlong has an associate degree from Faulkner State Community College. He and his wife have three children. He earned his Eagle Scout in 2001 and is an active volunteer with his local scouting organization. His career experience includes working as a project manager for a marketing agency that has worked internationally with businesses, both large and small. Incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey, Democrat Yolanda Flowers, and Libertarian James Blake will be the names on the November 8 general election ballot. To vote for Budlong, voters must check the write-in box as their selection for Governor and then write Jared Budlong next to it. Pastor Dean Odle
Kay Ivey leads August gubernatorial fundraising
Republican incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey has continued to cruise towards re-election during the month of August. According to filings with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office, Ivey lapped her general election opponents in both funds raised and money spent during the month despite having the Governor making very few public appearances during the month of August. The Governor’s re-election campaign entered August with $219,918.69 – that was several times more than what her general election opponents had available. The Ivey campaign reported having raised another $132,314.30 over the course of the month. The Ivey campaign, however spent more money than she took in. The campaign reported expenditures during the month of August of $301,649.83. This left the governor’s campaign with just $50,583.16 in cash on hand. The Ivey for governor campaign also reported in-kind contributions of $1,200 during the month of August. In-kind contributions are when people donate services such as printing, postage, vehicle use, etc. to a campaign or purchase advertising such as signs rather than making an actual cash contribution. Since in-kind contributions are not cash, they do not count toward the total funds raised or show in the cash balance of a campaign. Kay Ivey chairs her own campaign, and Ashley Newman is her treasurer. Ivey is a former two-term Alabama Lieutenant Governor. She was elevated to the governor’s mansion in 2017 and then elected to her own term in 2018. Ivey also served two terms as state Treasurer. She has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and is a former teacher who has held a number of positions in Alabama government, including service in Gov. Fob James’ cabinet. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Yolanda Flowers began the month of August with just $939.77 in cash on hard. During the month, the Flowers campaign reported raising total cash contributions of just $150. Her campaign had net expenditures of just $38. This left Flowers with a September cash balance of $1,051.77. Flowers also reported in-kind contributions of $1,300. The Chair of the Flowers campaign is Jada Nichole Flowers, and Clementine Essex is the treasurer. Flowers lives in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Birmingham. She is a former teacher and is a retired rehabilitation services professional for the state of Tennessee. She has multiple degrees. from the University of Tennessee. Flowers and other Democratic candidates have struggled to raise funds as Alabama’s Democratic donors have been noticeably absent thus far from participating in the 2022 campaign cycle. Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake had $0 in campaign contributions, but has personally loaned his campaign $13,035. Blake also reported expenditures of $12,200 for a balance coming into September of $834. Blake chairs his own committee, and Justin Smith is the treasurer. Blake is a former two-term Birmingham City Councilman. He is a doctor and an Air Force veteran. He has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a medical degree from UAB. Write-in gubernatorial candidate Jared Budlong reported entering the month of August with just $708.49 in cash on hand. During the month, the Budlong campaign reported raising $356 in itemized cash contributions plus another $143.18 in non-itemized cash contributions for a total of $499.18. The Budlong campaign reported $1,102.44 of expenses during the month of August, leaving the campaign with just $105.23 entering the month of September. Budlong also reported in-kind contributions of just $605. Budlong is the sole member of his campaign committee. Budlong lives in Daphne and is a former project manager for a marketing company. He has an associate degree from Faulkner University. Write-in gubernatorial candidate Rev. Dean Odle reported a beginning balance of $10,637.48. Odle reported August contributions of $2,165 and expenses of $720.87 for an ending balance of $12,081.61. The Odle campaign also reported in-kind contributions of $148.48. Odle’s campaign is chaired by Nancy Odle, and Kelsey Hines is the treasurer. Odle is a pastor, evangelist, and private schoolmaster who resides in Lee County. Odle ran in the May 24 Republican primary, where he ultimately lost to Ivey. $26,887,024.83 has already been raised by all campaigns in the 2022 gubernatorial race, and $26,855,007.61 has been spent. Most of it was spent in the Republican primary battle, where Ivey emerged as the victor. The general election is on November 8. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey visits elementary school robotic and engineering labs
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey visited Dalraida Elementary School in Montgomery on Monday to inspect the new robotics and building/engineering labs there. Ivey was accompanied by education leaders and members of the capital press corps. “When I was in Fourth Grade, we didn’t do robotics,” Gov. Ivey said. “We just were memorizing our multiplication tables.” The third and fourth-grade students in the robotics lab demonstrated their proficiency at building and operating the little robots that lift and manipulate objects in tasks analogous to construction equipment. Like robots at a factory, they were being operated by the children who assembled them from kits. Dr. Bryan Cutter is the principal at Dalriada Elementary School. Principal Cutter said that there are robotics labs at the high school and middle school levels, but their school was the first in the region to have a dedicated robotics lab in the elementary school lab. The students in the engineering/building lab demonstrated their ability to stack blocks and sticks in order to build a bridge over a construction paper river. The students were working in groups of three. “You did a great job,” Ivey told one group of students after they completed their bridge and were able to roll a toy car over it without the structure collapsing. “You did an amazing job building that.” “This is an exciting visit,” Ivey told reporters. Ivey said that she would like to see more labs such as these across the state to get children interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields). “We have a long way to get there,” Ivey acknowledged. “They view it as a game,” Principal Cutter said. Cutter explained that the school is bringing scientists and engineers to interact with the students. “The students have met athletes and musicians, but they are not used to seeing scientists and engineers,” he stated. Cutter said that the children work in groups. “We want them to learn collaboration. We are looking at teaching them to be good citizens of the world.” “We are excited to be here,” said State Superintendent Eric Mackey. “We have several labs like this around the state. This is a fairly new program.” Mackey said that it is important to get students learning how to manipulate the robots and do early coding in elementary and middle school. “These are not cheap labs,” Mackey said. “The robotics kits have to be purchased, and they wear out.” “Finding teachers to do it and getting them trained,” is the major limiting factor, Mackey said. “We anticipate that we are going to ask for more money next year,” Mackey said. This was the first time that the Governor has addressed reporters in three weeks. During that time, there were unsubstantiated rumors about her health. Ivey was peppered with questions about her health and possible medical treatments. One reporter asked the Governor if she had had a medical treatment requiring her to stay overnight in a hospital. “It seems like some of you want to will these rumors into being, and that is just not going to happen,” Ivey responded. Ivey said that she thanked “God every day for giving me a clean bill of health.” Ivey is the oldest governor in the country. She will turn 78 on December 21. Ivey is running for re-election in the November 8 general election where she faces Democratic nominee Yolanda Flowers, Libertarian Dr. James Blake, and independent Jared Budlong. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
