Paul DeMarco: Unpredictable U.S. Senate races in Alabama now the new normal
So the party primaries are over in Alabama and Katie Britt is now the Republican nominee for the United States Senate. We could say this race was one for the history books, but candidly so have the last three U.S. Senate elections in Alabama. It used to be that Senate contest came along rarely in Alabama, but the past five years have proven otherwise. First, there was the 2017 special election with the Republican Primary between then-Attorney General Luther Strange that ended with former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore prevailing. The general election that year had the eyes of the Nation watch Moore then go on to lose to Democrat Doug Jones. The 2020 election then came when former Auburn Football Coach bested former Senator Jeff Sessions for the Republican nomination. Coach Tuberville ousted then-Senator Doug Jones from his seat to return the seat to Republican hands. There have been tens of millions spent on races to represent Alabama in the United States Senate in the past five years, and this current election is still not over. However, count on Republican Katie Britt winning in the fall and being the next United States Senator to represent Alabama. We cannot predict the next Senate race in Alabama, but based on recent history it will be another roller coaster ride for both candidates and state voters. Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be followed on Twitter @Paul_DeMarco.
Steve Flowers: Benefactor or idealogue
Over the years, I have discussed my observations and concepts of the two different roles or routes taken by a U.S. Senator or Congressman during their tenure in Washington. One clearly chooses one of two postures in their representation of you in Washington. Our delegates to D.C. are either benefactors or idealogues. The role of benefactor is much better for any state, especially Alabama. This public figure is not only a benefactor but also a facilitator and a statesman. In other words, this person is interested and diligent in bringing home federal dollars to the Heart of Dixie. The perfect example of a benefactor, facilitator, and statesman senator is our current U.S. Senator, Richard Shelby. No senator in Alabama history has brought home more federal dollars to our state than Richard Shelby. He has helped Alabama more during his 36-years in the senate than any other senator. The second role is idealogue. This politician sees his role as a zealot on issues. The idealogue is more interested in advocating for popular social and non-economic issues with no regard for the state’s financial interests. Beginning in the 1930s and extending for 30 years through the 1960s, we had two of the greatest U.S. Senators in history. Lister Hill and John Sparkman were giants in Washington and were erudite diplomats for our state. They can aptly be described as benefactors, facilitators, and statesmen for Alabama. During the 1970s and 1980s, we had two well-respected and effective senators in Judge Howell Heflin and Richard Shelby. Upon the arrival of Jeff Sessions in 1996, as the state’s first true blue Republican, we witnessed the portrayal of our first true ideologue. Sessions was the most right-wing, reactionary Republican in the U.S. Senate. However, he was not a demagogue; he was a true believer and one of the most honest and gentlemanly men I have ever observed in the public arena. He was also well qualified and prepared to be a U.S. Senator, having been a U.S. Attorney and Attorney General of Alabama. Alabama cannot afford to have the ultimate demagogic idealogue, Mo Brooks, follow Richard Shelby. It would literally be like exchanging the most effective U.S. Senator in Alabama history with the least effective Senator in Alabama history. We would go from having the number one, most powerful senator to the last place, number 100th effectiveness for their state in Washington. It would be worse than not having a senator because the image that Mo Brooks portrays for Alabama is so harmful that we would be better off not to have a second senator, and for a state that depends on federal dollars, that would not be a good position for Alabama. A large portion of Alabama’s federal largesse dollars goes to the Huntsville area. Mo Brooks has been the congressman from this area for ten years. He has done nothing towards federal and economic growth in the Huntsville-Tennessee Valley area. Brooks has been an obstacle. He prefers being a bomb-thrower to being an effective representative. The entire growth and prosperity of the Huntsville area can be attributed to Senator Richard Shelby with local assistance from Mayor Tommy Battle. Brooks’s laissez-faire attitude towards government and his allegiance and loyalty to the right-wing clandestine Club for Growth is toxic for Alabama and our dependence on defense dollars. Brooks is an irrelevant, right-wing gadfly whom people just laugh at like a crazy uncle they keep locked in a closet. He has become a national poster boy for crazy theatrics. The image he gives to Alabama hurts us immensely in Washington. He is a pariah for Alabama’s future. Brooks would be a deterrent for Alabama procuring additional or even keeping our current federal defense dollars in Alabama. If Mo Brooks is elected as our senator to replace Richard Shelby, you can expect Redstone Arsenal’s growth to stop, and you can kiss the space command headquarters coming to Alabama goodbye. Furthermore, those of you who live in the Montgomery River Region area and those of you who live in the Wiregrass and have depended on Maxwell-Gunter and Ft. Rucker as your economic engines for generations better grab hold of your wallet. With Mo Brooks as the Senator from Alabama, you may very well see these mega-military economic meccas moved to California. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.
Trial begins in accuser’s defamation case against Roy Moore
A jury was selected Monday in the defamation lawsuit filed by a woman who had accused failed U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore of molesting her when she was 14. Leigh Corfman said Moore defamed her and made false statements as he denied her accusations during the 2017 U.S. Senate race in Alabama. The sexual misconduct allegations helped derail Moore’s hopes of winning the election. Moore, a Republican, lost the 2017 race to Doug Jones, the first Alabama Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in 25 years. Jones was defeated in the next election by Republican Tommy Tuberville. A jury of seven men and five women — plus four alternates -— was seated Monday. Opening arguments are expected Tuesday. Corfman said she was a teen when Moore, then a 32-year-old assistant district attorney, touched her sexually during a 1979 encounter. Corfman was one of several women who said Moore pursued them when they were teens, and he was an adult. Moore has denied the accusations and countersued Corfman and other accusers for defamation. Her attorney, Neil Roman, said Monday that Corfman “is excited that after four years of waiting, she finally gets to make her case to a jury of her peers.” “By this lawsuit, I seek to do what I could not do as a 14-year-old — hold Mr. Moore and those who enable him accountable,” Corfman said in a 2018 statement when the lawsuit was filed. Moore has denied Corfman’s accusations. His lawyers maintain that he only defended himself against the accusations. “We just want the truth to prevail,” Moore told reporters as he left the courtroom. His attorney, Julian McPhillips, called the case an extension of Corfman “hungering for the limelight.” Corfman and Moore sat with their attorneys as their respective lawyers questioned potential jurors about the case, including their views on Moore. Corfman’s attorney asked if any had donated to the legal group that Moore founded. Moore’s attorneys asked potential jurors about their views on gay marriage, the public display of the Ten Commandments. Moore was twice removed as Alabama’s chief justice for defying, or urging defiance, of court orders regarding same-sex marriage and the public display of the Ten Commandments in a state court building. Both lawyers for Corfman and Moore said they were pleased with the selected jury. McPhillips said Corfman’s attorneys used their strikes to remove white panelists, leaving an almost entirely Black jury to hear the case against Moore, who is white. Lawyers said Circuit Judge John E. Rochester on Monday denied Moore’s request to dismiss the lawsuit before it went to trial. Corfman had also sued Moore’s campaign, but a judge dismissed that defamation claim. Corfman and her mother have said that Moore first approached her as she waited outside a custody hearing at the Etowah County courthouse. Corfman said she later arranged to meet Moore, and he took her to his home, where he initiated the encounter. Corfman said he took off her shirt and pants and removed his clothes except for his underwear before touching her over her bra and underpants. Corfman’s accusation was first reported by The Washington Post. Moore’s campaign was roiled by the accusations as he sought the U.S. Senate seat previously held by former President Donald Trump’s one-time attorney general, Jeff Sessions. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Steve Flowers: Annual Legislative Session underway
The 2022 annual regular session of the legislature has begun. It began January 11, and constitutionally can last three and one-half months, which would have it ending at the end of April. This is the last year of the quadrennium and an election year. Therefore, the legislature will not address any controversial or substantive issues. This has always been the case in Alabama politics. This rule will ring true this year as it has in past years. They will come into session, pass the budgets, then go home to campaign. They may even adjourn early this year, probably the first part of April. It will be an easy year, budget-wise. The General Fund and Special Education Trust Fund will again have growth in revenue. The economy is still percolating from the COVID recovery, especially because of the influx of federal dollars. Alabama will have received over four billion dollars from the Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) COVID relief money. Almost half has been earmarked and given to schools, counties, and cities and will not be allocated by the legislature. The state received over $500 million in 2021. Most of that, over $400 million, went to build new prisons, which was the most significant achievement last year. There will be approximately $560 million of ARP money coming into Alabama for this year. The legislature will be able to play Santa Claus in an election year. The General Fund Chairmen, Steve Clouse (R-Ozark) in the House and Greg Albritton (R-Escambia) in the Senate, are being lobbied heavily as might be expected. They will be looking at several ways to disburse these federal dollars. The feds like the states to focus on rural broadband expansion, water and sewage projects, and hospitals and nursing homes. It will be a short and successful and non-controversial session. Governor Ivey will miss her right arm, Jo Bonner. He has served as a quasi-governor for the past three years. Kay Ivey and Jo Bonner have a lifetime bond. They are both from Wilcox County, and like family. This remote rural black belt, southwest Alabama county has spawned Jeff Sessions, Kay Ivey, Judy Bonner, and Jo Bonner. Jeff, Kay, and Judy are all about the same age. Jo is about 15 years younger and like Kay’s little brother. Kay has never not known Jo Bonner. He has been the most influential Chief of Staff to a governor in state history. In November 2021, it was announced that Jo Bonner will become President of the University of South Alabama. He will be the fourth president of the University of South Alabama, which is the third largest university in the state. Jo Bonner is perfect for this position. His decade as a congressman from Mobile and his prowess as an economic developer and civic leader coupled with his winning personality will propel the university in Mobile to a regional educational and medical center for Alabama, Mississippi, and Northwest Florida. He is revered in Washington. His political connections and persona will make the University of South Alabama a politically powerful institution. The governor made a wise and prudent move to fill the void left by Jo Bonner’s departure from the governor’s office. She made her loyal, dedicated, and extremely qualified ally, Liz Filmore, Chief of Staff. Liz had already been functioning as a quasi-Chief of Staff to Ivey and Bonner. A few months ago, Ivey adroitly convinced State Representative Bill Poole of Tuscaloosa to become her finance director. Poole is immensely and uniquely qualified for finance director. He served over a decade in the House of Representatives. Eight of those years he chaired the Education Budget Committee and wrote the State Education budget. He was and still is one of the most universally well-liked and respected legislators in the state. Bill will remain finance director and Liz will be Chief of Staff. They will be part of what Governor Ivey will rely on as her leadership team. The other two members of the four-person team will be Brooks McClendon and Nathan Lindsey, who will be elevated to Deputy Chief of Staff. Governor Ivey along with Jo Bonner has run an exemplary Ship of State administratively. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.
Steve Flowers: We now have a very youthful federal judiciary in Alabama
Our senior senator, Richard Shelby, has left an indelible legacy and imprint on our state. Every corner of the state has been the recipient of his prowess at bringing home the bacon to the Heart of Dixie. Every university has enjoyed a largesse of federal dollars. He has made the Huntsville Redstone Arsenal one of the most renowned high technology regions in the nation, not to mention placing the FBI’s second home in Huntsville. Shelby’s accomplishments for Alabama would take a book to enumerate. However, what is not universally known is that Senator Richard Shelby has transformed the federal judiciary in Alabama for years to come. During the entire eight-year presidency of Barack Obama, by nature, we had some attrition in our federal judiciary in all three regions, Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts. Even though President Obama sought to appoint Democratic judges throughout the state, Senator Shelby and Senator Jeff Sessions thwarted all Democratic appointees and held these cherished and powerful judgeships vacant. Shelby and Sessions were hopeful that one day there would be a Republican president coupled with a Republican Senate majority, and they would be able to appoint Republican jurists to the federal bench in Alabama. That happened when Donald Trump became president. Senator Sessions had parted with his senate seat to become attorney general, so that left Senator Shelby to select and get confirmed a host of new, young federal judges in Alabama. Shelby assigned his loyal and brilliant Chief of Staff, Katie Boyd Britt, the job of vetting potential federal judgeships. She and Shelby chose an outstanding cadre of young, well-educated, extremely qualified, moderately conservative men and women to sit on the federal bench in Alabama. This group is stellar and will be the majority of federal judges for the next 25 to 30 years. This coup of appointing young, conservative, extremely capable judges to the federal bench in Alabama may be one of Senator Richard Shelby’s greatest legacies. Shelby had Andrew Brasher first appointed to the Middle District of Alabama. However, soon thereafter, an opening occurred on the Eleventh Circuit, and so Shelby had President Trump appoint Brasher to the higher appeals court. Prior to Brasher’s appointment to the Middle District, he practiced law with Bradley Arant in Birmingham. He was solicitor general and a law clerk for Judge Bill Pryor. Judge Brasher is a graduate of Samford University and Harvard Law School. Senator Shelby had President Trump appoint Anna Manasco as a federal judge in the Northern District of Alabama. Judge Manasco, like Judge Brasher, practiced law in Birmingham with Bradley Arant prior to her federal appointment. She graduated with honors from Emory University before earning her law degree from Yale Law School. Shelby aligned with President Trump to appoint Corey Maze for a seat on the federal bench in the Northern District. Judge Maze was a prosecutor for the State of Alabama Attorney General’s office. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Auburn University and a graduate of Georgetown Law. Senator Shelby had President Trump appoint Liles Burke to a federal judgeship in the Northern District. Burke was an Associate Judge of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals before his federal appointment. He obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Alabama. Annemarie Axon is another Trump and Shelby anointed appointee for the Northern District of Alabama. Judge Axon practiced law in Birmingham before her appointment. She, like all of the other Northern District appointees, is extremely well qualified. Axon also obtained her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Alabama. Austin Huffaker, Jr. of Montgomery, was chosen by Shelby and Trump for a federal judgeship in the Middle District. He practiced law in Montgomery prior to his appointment. He has an engineering degree from Vanderbilt and earned his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. Also appointed by Shelby and Trump to the Middle District is Emily Marks of Montgomery. Judge Marks practiced law in Montgomery prior to her appointment. She is a graduate of Spring Hill College in Mobile and the University of Alabama School of Law. Jeffrey Beaverstock was appointed to a federal judgeship in the Southern District. He practiced law in Mobile and is a graduate of the Citadel and the University of Alabama School of Law. Terry Moorer was appointed by President Trump and confirmed by the senate for the Southern District. He was previously an assistant U.S. Attorney and is a graduate of Huntington College and the University of Alabama School of Law. This host of federal jurists in Alabama will be one of Senator Richard Shelby’s lasting legacies. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Richard Shelby welcomes new chief of staff
Richard Shelby announced yesterday that Watson Donald will serve as his new chief of staff, effective July 12. Donald previously served on the Senator’s staff as the national security advisor in his D.C. office. He most recently worked as the federal affairs manager for Alabama Power. Shelby commented, “I am pleased to welcome Watson back to my team – this time as my chief of staff. Born in Mobile and most recently residing in Birmingham, he knows Alabama well and has a keen understanding of the issues impacting our state on a daily basis. I am confident in Watson’s leadership abilities and legislative expertise, and I look forward to what we can accomplish together over the next 17 months.” Donald first joined Shelby’s staff in 2007. He most recently served as the federal affairs manager for Alabama Power and held positions as the senior director of external affairs and the director of government affairs for Southern Research. Donald also has legislative experience under former Congressman Jo Bonner and former Senator Jeff Sessions. He was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, and received his Bachelor of Science from Birmingham-Southern College. Donald and his wife and their two sons currently reside in Birmingham.
Donald Trump allies cite Lynda Blanchard as type of misleading candidate ‘full of sh*t’ implying his support
During the 2020 election cycle, Lynda Blanchard donated nearly $1 million to pro-Donald Trump political committees and served as his ambassador to Slovenia, a fact that she frequently touts on social media. However, when she launched her Alabama Senate campaign with a video spotlighting her Trump bumper sticker, the former president became annoyed, reported Politico. Trump even went so far as to announce his endorsement of Mo Brooks early because of it. Brooks, a longtime ally of Trump, posted on Twitter, “PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDORSED MY CAMPAIGN – I am honored and humbled by President Trump’s strong endorsement. I ask all Americans who share our America First vision to heed and honor President Trump’s request by joining our campaign.” https://twitter.com/MoBrooks/status/1379813906768625672 Many candidates are portraying themselves as Trump loyalists and are falsely claiming that they are being endorsed by Trump which is making his team act more aggressively with those who do. Because Trump isn’t in office, it is harder to keep track of campaigns, and his political team has to work harder to stop fake endorsements. According to the Politico report, the Trump campaign sent cease-and-desist letters to the likes of Alabama Senate candidate Jeff Sessions and even contenders for local office. Sessions fought back during his 2020 campaign but eventually lost to Tommy Tuberville after Trump endorsed him over Sessions. “Lots of candidates pretend to have the support of President Trump. Most are full of shit. You will know when President Trump endorses someone,” said former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. In March, Blanchard posted on Twitter, “Honored to have received a surprise visit from President Trump at my event this weekend! I can’t wait to build on the MAGA Agenda and deliver results.” https://twitter.com/Blanchard4Sen/status/1371444444587757575 Later, Blanchard retweeted a Yellowhammer News post. https://twitter.com/yhn/status/1371585778309083144 As the 2022 election cycle draws nearer, Trump will continue to weigh in on candidates. If a candidate fakes an endorsement, it could derail their campaign. “Until a candidate gets an official statement from President Trump, whether in writing, video or audio, they do not have the official endorsement,” stated John McLaughlin, who was a pollster on Trump’s campaigns. “It’s dishonest. If proven, it could totally backfire.” Former Pennsylvania GOP chairman Rob Gleason said, “I would warn people against claiming endorsements from anyone without authorization. When and if President Trump endorses anyone, it will be very unmistakable.”
Bradley partner Ryan Robichaux elected Alabama State Bar Commissioner
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announced today that Ryan P. Robichaux, a partner in the firm’s Birmingham office, has been elected as an Alabama State Bar (ASB) commissioner for the 10th Judicial Circuit, Place 8. He begins his three-year term on July 1. Prior to law school, Mr. Robichaux served as a legislative aide for Jeff Sessions in the U.S. Senate, specializing in agriculture, judiciary, trade, and manufacturing policy. He also was a research assistant for a member of the British Parliament. “We congratulate Ryan on his election as a commissioner for the Alabama State Bar,” stated Bradley Birmingham Office Managing Partner Dawn Helms Sharff. “Ryan’s many years of service to the state bar, combined with his practice in political law and advocacy, will greatly benefit him in his new role as a leader in representing our legal community.” As the governing and policy-making body of the ASB, the Board of Bar Commissioners has “the authority to promulgate and enforce rules relating to admissions, rules of ethics, and discipline of its membership. Other responsibilities of the board include determining the qualifications and requirements for admission to the practice of law, investigating and acting on complaints concerning the conduct of members and applicants for admission, overseeing the bar examination, and assisting local bar associations.” A member of Bradley’s Government Affairs Practice Group, Robichaux will focus on political advocacy and compliance, representing clients before the executive and legislative branches of government in Washington, D.C., Alabama, and other states.
Mobile Chamber reorganizes its governmental affairs and communications efforts
Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bill Sisson announced two new positions for the Chamber of Commerce. Nancy Hewston has been named vice president of communications and advocacy, and Maggie Oliver was named senior director of government affairs. The Mobile Chamber is combining the community and governmental affairs and the communications and marketing departments to form the Communications and Advocacy Department. Sisson commented, “Having Nancy in this key leadership position will mean great things for the Mobile Chamber and its members. She is a seasoned communicator with extensive experience in both politics and communications. Nancy’s network of connections both across the state and in Washington D.C. as well as her ability to build coalitions and drive consensus position her to continue to be a valuable asset to Mobile’s business community and the Mobile Chamber.” “Maggie’s range of skills is perfectly suited for this expanded new role,” Sisson added. “She has a proven track record of success in the governmental affairs arena and will continue to be an advocate for Mobile business owners, employees and their families.” Hewston joined the Chamber in January as the vice president of community and governmental affairs. She was senior vice president of communications, strategic information and federal affairs for the Business Council of Alabama. She also spent time on Capitol Hill, working for both chambers of Congress as press secretary to Rep. Jo Bonner and deputy press secretary for Sen. Jeff Sessions. Oliver joined the Chamber in 2018 as director of community and governmental affairs. Oliver holds a master’s degree in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown and a bachelor’s degree in public policy leadership from the University of Mississippi’s Trent Lott Leadership Institute. Following graduation from the University of Mississippi, Oliver moved to Washington D.C. where she worked both on and off Capitol Hill in public policy and political communications.
Steve Flowers: Birmingham’s political inside man
Historically, political power in the state has rested in the rural counties. Birmingham has been the home of the “Big Mules,” where the money that fueled the gubernatorial campaigns came from, but very few Birmingham politicians have ascended to governor or U.S. Senator. Counties like Barbour and Cullman have been where governors are bred, not imperial Jefferson. Indeed, the small-town boys that ran for governor would demagogue and make fun of and run against the “Big Mules” of the Magic City, especially the village of Mountain Brook. Therefore, the legendary kingmakers in the state were the probate judges in the rural counties throughout the Heart of Dixie. The giants of Alabama political lore, Big Jim Folsom and George Wallace, won their races in the rural counties. They would run against the “got rocks,” Big Mules and silk-stocking Mountain Brook and Over the Mountain elite, so it was not surprising that Wallace nor Big Jim ever carried Jefferson County. Business, not politics, prevailed in Jefferson County. Therefore, Birmingham did not yield as many inside political men as might be expected of the major city of the state. However, there has been one go-to political kingmaker in Birmingham in my generation. Joe Fuller has been the go-to man to see in the Magic City, especially in Republican primaries. Joe was proudly born and raised in Birmingham and knows the city like the back of his hand. Fuller has been a successful, independent insurance agent his entire career and has led the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association for decades. He began his civic political involvement in his 20’s through the legendary Birmingham Jaycees. He, like a good many of Birmingham’s civic and political leaders, cut their teeth in the Birmingham Jaycees. This group were the original founders of Birmingham’s Legion Field. The Birmingham Jaycees were the training ground for the leaders of the city. Some of Fuller’s contemporaries in the 1960s and early 70s were Fox DeFuniak, J. Mason Davis, David Wheeler, Julian Smith, George McMillan, and George Siebels. The Birmingham Jaycees became the springboard for George Siebels to be elected Mayor of Birmingham in 1965. Joe Fuller was instrumental in helping to orchestrate Siebel’s victory. Thus, began Joe Fuller’s reign as the kingmaker of Birmingham politics. Fuller would start candidates off in his stately home on top of a hill in the historic Redmont neighborhood in Birmingham. He would have a gathering of 20 to 30 at an elegant meal, which he primarily prepared. His first major horse he bet on was George McMillan. He helped George get elected to the legislature and then helped mastermind McMillan’s historical upset of state senator George Lewis Bailes. He then helped manage his successful run for Lt. Governor and then saw him almost beat George Wallace for Governor in 1974. It has been my honor and privilege to have known Joe for almost 40 years and have had the opportunity to be invited to his great political gatherings over those years. I have watched him as he helped launch the careers of Birmingham Congressman Spencer Bachus, who served in the legislature before serving in Congress 20 years. Joe was extremely close to legendary state representative John Hawkins. He has been a loyal supporter of iconic State Senator Jabo Waggoner over all of his almost five decades in the state legislature. Joe Fuller has been and was one of the early supporters of my great friend and legislative colleague, Mike Hill. Mike served three decades in the House from Shelby County and is now the State Banking Commissioner. Fuller has been close-to another longtime veteran state legislator, Jim Carnes. Jim has been at almost all of Joe’s political dinner parties as he helped launch the political careers of legislators Paul DeMarco, David Wheeler, and Dan Roberts. Joe was instrumental in the election of state senator Steve Windom as Lt. Governor. Joe’s house was Windom’s first stop. Joe was one of the founders of the renowned Mid-Alabama Republican Club, which meets monthly in Vestavia. It is a sought-after invitation to speak for all aspiring statewide Republican candidates, as are his dinner parties. The first place that Jeff Sessions came to when he first began his political career as Attorney General of Alabama was Joe Fuller’s home. Joe supported Jeff Sessions during his entire 20-year career in the United States Senate. Jeff will never forget it. A good many of Alabama’s political leaders have found their way to the home of “ole” Joe Fuller atop Red Mountain over the last 40 to 50 years. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
What they’re saying: Response to Rush Limbaugh’s death
Iconic radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has died. The 70-year-old had been battling lung cancer and revealed in 2020 that it was terminal. His wife, Kathryn, confirmed his death at the beginning of Limbaugh’s radio show. He had been absent from the show for almost two weeks reported USA Today. Alabama politicians are responding to Limbaugh’s death. Governor Kay Ivey posted on Twitter, stating, “Very saddened to hear legendary talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh has succumbed to his battle with lung cancer. His profound decades long career as a national voice for conservatives will be sincerely missed on the airwaves.” Very saddened to hear legendary talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh has succumbed to his battle with lung cancer. His profound decades long career as a national voice for conservatives will be sincerely missed on the airwaves. #alpolitics #megadittos https://t.co/xDkCdN9g7T — Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) February 17, 2021 Jeff Sessions released a statement about Limbaugh, stating, “Mary and I are terribly saddened by the loss of the Great Rush Limbaugh. He has truly been a magnificent voice for America. Over the last four decades he has been one of this country’s most valuable citizens. He loved America, understood America, and told her glorious story to millions of Americans every day. He demolished left wing extremism with logic, facts, truth and wonderful humor. His importance to the health of this nation and her people cannot be overstated. His fans are legion. His trusted voice and analysis of the challenges we face, as a nation and as individuals, is no more. We will surely grieve for this great loss, give thanks for his contributions and renew our determination to preserve, defend and extend the greatness that is America.” Robert Aderholt, Rep for Alabama’s 4th congressional district stated on Twitter, “I’m very sad to hear of the news of Rush Limbaugh’s passing. For more than three decades Rush has been a voice for conservatism. When he began his nationally syndicated program, he singlehandedly changed the political landscape of America.” I’m very sad to hear of the news of Rush Limbaugh’s passing. For more than three decades Rush has been a voice for conservatism. When he began his nationally syndicated program, he singlehandedly changed the political landscape of America. — Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) February 17, 2021 Rep. Barry Moore stated, “I’m terribly saddened to hear about Rush Limbaugh’s passing. Rush was a radio legend who educated generations of Americans and was a champion of conservative values. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.” I’m terribly saddened to hear about Rush Limbaugh’s passing. Rush was a radio legend who educated generations of Americans and was a champion of conservative values. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. — Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) February 17, 2021 Third Congressional District Rep. Mike Rogers commented, “Rest in peace. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30.” Rest In Peace.Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 https://t.co/6ccuZzqYdK — Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) February 17, 2021
Former AG Jimmy Evans, best known for Gov. Guy Hunt case, dies
Former Alabama Attorney General Jimmy Evans, who successfully prosecuted the state’s governor in an ethics case in the 1990s, died Monday. He was 81. His death was confirmed by Brian T. Gallion, the operator of Southern Memorial Funeral Home which is handling the funeral arrangements for the family. Gallion said he was not authorized to give a cause of death. Services will be held Monday. Evans was Alabama’s attorney general from 1991 to 1995. He is best known for the 1993 prosecution and conviction of then-Gov. Guy Hunt on charges of stealing $ 200,000 from an inaugural fund. Evans also pushed for passage of legislation to give crime victims a greater voice in the criminal justice system and was a mentor to many young attorneys, said friends and former colleagues. “He was one of the fairest people I have ever known,” former Montgomery County District attorney Ellen Brooks recalled. Brooks, who worked with Evans for many years, said he “could be tough as nails when the situation required,” such as prosecuting a horrific murder case. But he could also be gracious and kind in dealing with victims or giving a second chance to a first-time nonviolent offender, she recalled. “People would come into the courtroom to listen and watch him. He was that good,” Brooks said of Evans’s closing arguments. He previously served as the district attorney of Montgomery. “He was a victims’ rights champion through and through and through,” said Miriam Shehane, who founded the advocacy Victims of Crime and Leniency, after the murder of her daughter, 21-year-old Birmingham college coed Quenette Shehane. Evans is the person who suggested they organize, she said. Shehane and Brooks said Evans helped push for changes in the law, including: allowing victims to remain in the courtroom during trials; giving both defense and prosecution the same number of juror strikes, and requiring victim notification of plea deals. “He had a remarkable impact on many lawyers’ careers including mine,” said attorney Steve Feaga, who led the Hunt prosecution for Evans. Evans’s name would become forever linked with the Hunt prosecution that led to the ouster of the state’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction. Hunt was automatically removed from office after being convicted of the felony. Hunt and others had complained that Evans, a Democrat, brought the case against him for political reasons — an allegation Evans denied. “That bothered Jimmy because it wasn’t politically motivated,” Feaga said, adding that Evans knew the case would likely mean the end of his career in public office. Evans was defeated by Republican Jeff Sessions in the 1994 race for attorney general. Sessions went on to become U.S. senator and U.S. attorney general. Hunt later secured a pardon and made an unsuccessful bid to return to politics. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
