Elise Stefanik endorses Katie Britt for U.S. Senate
On Thursday, GOP House Conference Chair Elise Stefanik’s E-PAC announced the endorsement of Republican nominee Katie Britt for U.S. Senate in Alabama. “I am proud to endorse Katie Britt to be Alabama’s next U.S. Senator,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-New York). “Katie is an America First warrior who will be a crucial voice for Alabama in the Senate, where she will stand up against Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer’s radical policies that have created crisis after crisis. I am proud to add Katie to the ranks of strong, E-PAC-endorsed GOP women on the ballot this November, and I encourage all Alabama families to vote for Katie Britt in the critical mission to take back the Senate and save America.” Britt released a statement thanking Congresswoman Stefanik for her endorsement. “I’m grateful to Congresswoman Stefanik for her support and endorsement,” stated Britt. “The Republican Party is the party of parents and hardworking families, who are getting crushed by the unchecked consequences of one-party Democratic rule in Joe Biden’s Washington, D.C. As November 8 quickly approaches, moms and dads across our nation are stepping up to preserve the American Dream for our children and our children’s children. Together, we will save the country we know and love.” There are 23 E-PAC endorsed GOP women in open and challenger House races in November’s election. Britt is the third E-PAC-endorsed GOP woman running for the U.S. Senate. The others are Leora Levy in Connecticut and Tiffany Smiley in the state of Washington. The majority of 2022’s E-PAC endorsed GOP women won their primaries, and three of 2022’s E-PAC endorsed GOP women have already been sworn into Congress: These are Connie Conway (CA-22), Julia Letlow (LA-05), and Mayra Flores (TX-34). Katie Boyd Britt grew up in Enterprise, where her parents were small business owners. Britt graduated from Enterprise High School. She got a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and a law degree from the University of Alabama Law School. Britt is a practicing attorney. She is the former President and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) and formerly was Chief of Staff for incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Shelby. Britt is married to former University of Alabama, and New England Patriots star football player Wesley Britt from Cullman County. The couple and their two children now reside in Montgomery. Britt has been endorsed by both Shelby and former President Donald Trump. Britt winning the election is essential to Republicans’ hopes of taking control of the U.S. Senate as Britt would be a Republican replacing a Republican. Shelby is retiring after 36 years representing Alabama in the Senate. Voters will decide on Tuesday, November 8, between Katie Boyd Britt, Libertarian nominee John Sophocleus, and Democratic nominee Dr. Will Boyd. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Cannabis Coalition announces endorsements for November 8 election
The Alabama Cannabis Coalition (ACC) announced that they were endorsing Libertarian nominee Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake for Governor. The ACC endorsed most of the Libertarian Party of Alabama slate of candidates as well as a few Democratic candidates in the November 8 general election. “He supports the Citizen’s right to home grow, the expungement of cannabis convictions, decriminalization, and the “Legalization” of cannabis in the State of Alabama,” said ACC President Marty Schelper. “These are all indicators of a candidate who supports smaller government, freedom, liberty, and justice, for the citizens of the State of Alabama.” “We are proud to give him our overwhelming endorsement and support,” Schelper continued. “The ACC will be campaigning for his election.” On Tuesday, the ACC announced that they had endorsed the candidates for the 2022 Midterm Election. “We are pleased to endorse these Anti Prohibition/ProCannabis Candidates in the State of Alabama. We wholeheartedly endorse their campaigns and believe each candidate to be a breath of fresh air for the necessary change that we need in Alabama regarding Cannabis,” the announcement stated. · Jimmy Blake (L), Governor of Alabama · Ruth Page-Nelson (L), Lt. Governor of Alabama · John Sophocleus (L), US Senate · Alexander M. Remrey (L) US Congress, District 1 · Jonathan Realz (L), US Congress District 2 · Johnny C. Cochran (L), US Congress, District 4 · PJ Greer (L), US Congress, District 5 · Gavin Goodman (L), US Congress District 7th · Leigh LaChine (L), AL State Auditor Alabama State Senate · Rick Chandler (L), Alabama State Senate District 3 · Kyle Richard Garrison (L), Alabama State Senate District 6 · Danny Wilson (L), Alabama State Senate District 19 · Portia Shepherd (L), Alabama State Senate District 23 · Richard Benderson (L), Alabama State Senate District 24 · Louie Albert Albright (L), Alabama State Senate, District 25 · David Boatwright (L), Alabama State Senate District 28 · Floyd “Pete” McBroom (L), Alabama State Senate District 29 · Clifton Hudson (L), Alabama State Senate District 35 Alabama House · Rep. Angela Walser (L), Alabama House Rep. District 8 · Gregory Bodine (L), Alabama House Rep. District 9 · Elijah Boyd (L), Alabama House Rep. District 10 · Talia Shimp (L), Alabama House Rep. District 18 · Matthew G. Morris Jr. (L), Alabama House Rep. District 41 · Doug Ward (L), Alabama House Rep. District 42 · Jason Burr (L), Alabama House Rep. District 43 · Kari Mitchell Whitaker (L), Alabama House Rep. District 45 · Neil Rafferty (D), Alabama House Rep. District 54 · Carson Lester (L), Alabama House Rep. District 56 · Manijeh Nancy Jones (L), Alabama House Rep. District 57 · JP French (L), Alabama House Rep. District 60 · Jeff May (L), Alabama House Rep. District 64 · Scott Manges (L), Alabama House Rep. District 76 · Amanda Frison (L), Alabama House Rep. District 79 · Justin Tyler May (L), Alabama House Rep. District 88 · Margaret “Maggie” Helveston (L), Alabama House Rep., District 94 · Richard Brackner (D), Alabama House Rep. District 95 · Mark Lewis (L), Alabama House Rep. District 105 LOCAL CANDIDATES · Devin Cordell (L), Jefferson County Commissioner, District 3 · Frank Dillman Sr. (L), Macon County Commissioner, District 4 · Charles Wyckoff (L), Mobile County Sheriff The general election is on November 8. 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.
City of Enterprise issues a proclamation honoring Richard Shelby
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby was in Enterprise last Thursday, where the City awarded him a proclamation honoring him for his 36 years of service to the state in the Senate. “Grateful to the City of Enterprise and Mayor [William] Cooper for the proclamation regarding my career in public service,” Shelby said on Twitter. “I’ve had the pleasure of representing the people of Enterprise in the Senate for the last 36 years. Thank you, Enterprise, for allowing me that high honor.” Shelby is retiring at the end of this year after six terms in the Senate. He is the Ranking Republican on the powerful Senate Appropriations committee, which he chaired until Republicans lost control of the Senate in 2021. Despite his pending retirement, Shelby is still very engaged in national affairs. “Since President [Joe] Biden took office in January 2021, inflation has risen 13.5%,” Shelby said on Twitter. “Democrats are clearly in over their heads and unable to bring down costs. The American people are tired of overpaying for gas, groceries, utility bills, etc. It’s unaffordable and unacceptable.” Shelby defeated incumbent Republican Senator Jeremiah Denton in 1986 to win the office as a Democrat. Shelby never really had a close election after that first election, easily besting five general election opponents in the years since. In 1994 Shelby switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. Shelby has been credited with landing federal dollars for projects across the state over the years. “There is not a city or county in Alabama that has not benefitted from Senator Shelby’s seniority and power,” political columnist former State Rep. Steve Flowers wrote recently. “Every major university has received additional federal dollars for development and new buildings. He has literally transformed the University of Alabama. An entire section of the massive campus has a cadre of buildings, mostly science, technology, and engineering that are or should be named for him because he brought the money from Washington to pay for them. Shelby had sixteen years of public service prior to his Senate service. From 1970 to 1978, he represented Tuscaloosa in the Alabama Senate. From 1978 to 1986, he represented Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Shelby has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and a law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. Katie Britt is the presumptive heir apparent to Shelby’s seat in the Senate. The Republican nominee served an internship in Shelby’s office, where she eventually worked her way up to chief of staff after obtaining he law degree. Shelby has endorsed Britt, who won the Republican nomination after a hard-fought primary fight against Congressman Mo Brooks and veteran and millionaire defense contractor Mike Durant. Britt still faces voters in the November 8 general election, where she faces Democratic nominee Dr. Will Boyd and Libertarian nominee John Sophocleus. Even though the Senate is divided 50:50 between Republicans and Democrats (including two independents who caucus with the Democrats) the open Senate seat has not become a national battleground. Both of Britt’s opponents have been unable to raise money, either in Alabama or nationally. Virtually all indications are that Shelby’s seat will remain in Republican hands. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Katie Britt continues to lead Senate rivals in fundraising
The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) recently released the third quarter campaign finance reports. Republican nominee Katie Boyd Britt has raised more than $1,362,302.23 in the third quarter of 2022. This is more than both of her general election opponents combined. The third quarter filing is the last quarterly filing before the November 8 General Election. According to the FEC, Britt entered the month of October with almost $1.9 million in cash on hand. Britt has raised more than $10.26 million since announcing her candidacy in June 2021. In the third quarter, Britt received a total of 13,892 contributions, with an average contribution amount of $98.06. “I am blown away by the generous, enthusiastic support we’re receiving from hardworking families who love our state and our country,” Britt said. “It is clear that the closer November 8 gets, the more our message is resonating. Americans are getting crushed by the unchecked consequences of one-party Democratic rule in Washington, D.C., and Alabamians are eager to make our voices heard at the ballot box. We are going to continue working hard every single day these next three weeks to secure victory and do our part to retake the U.S. Senate. Together with our incredible Team Britt supporters, we will preserve the American Dream for our children and our children’s children.” Alabama’s Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, Dr. Will Boyd, reported having received $45,072.23 and entered October with $8,260.48 in cash on hand. Alabama Democrats have been very reluctant to support any of their Alabama candidates in 2022 after disappointing finishes in 2020 and 2018. Boyd reported only 48 itemized contributions during the three-month period. Boyd is a pastor. He was the Democratic nominee for Alabama Lieutenant Governor in 2018. Libertarian Party of Alabama John Sophocleus has not raised enough money to need to report a third-quarter report. Sophocles is a retired instructor at Auburn University. He was the Libertarian nominee for Alabama Governor in 2002. Incumbent Sen. Richard Shelby is not running for re-election. Shelby was first elected to the Senate in 1986. Britt is an attorney and former Chief of Staff for Sen. Shelby. Shelby has endorsed Britt, and so has Alabama’s other Senator – Tommy Tuberville. Voters who know they will not be able to go to the polls on November 8 can apply for an absentee ballot. Absentee voting has already begun. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Jimmy Blake addresses Libertarians in Homewood
Libertarian nominee for Governor of Alabama Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake addressed the Libertarians of Greater Birmingham at a dinner event at Jim’ N Nick’s barbecue restaurant in the greater Homewood area on Tuesday night. “I am a former chairman of the (Libertarian) Party,” Blake said. “I have been involved with the Libertarians really since the 1970s. I was chairman of the Libertarian Party when I was elected to the city council. I am very proud of some of the things we accomplished back then.” Blake is a career doctor, an Air Force veteran, and a former Birmingham City Councilman. “Our party has not been on the ballot since 2002,” Blake said. “Then John Sophocleus got more votes than the Republican margin of victory over Don Siegelman, and the Republicans and Democrats agreed that they did not want competition.” Sophocleus finished third in the 2002 gubernatorial election behind then-Congressman Bob Riley and then Governor Siegelman. Sophocleus is the 2022 Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate. “We have, I think, 65 candidates on the November ballot, and 50 of them are only running against a Democrat or a Republican,” Blake said. “Without them, the voters would not have any choice in those races.” Blake attacked both of the major political parties. “I call them the blue ticks and the red ticks because they are both sucking us dry,” Blake said of the Democrats and the Republicans. “One thing that they agree on is that they don’t want competition.” Alabama law requires a political party that did not have a candidate get 20 percent of the vote in the latest gubernatorial general election ballot to get signatures from registered Alabama voters to gain ballot access. “It cost us a quarter of a million dollars to get ballot access,” Blake explained. “Ballot access petitions – it sounds fine but go out there and get ten of them, and it’s harder than it sounds. We had to have 85,000. We need 20% of the vote in one of these statewide races to keep ballot access.” “Getting name ID is probably the biggest challenge that we face,” Blake said. “There may be 50,000 people in the state that even know that I am running. We need somewhere between 300,000 and 350,000 votes to get ballot access.” Blake said that inflation is another way that government takes money away from the people. “I have a 1962 dime that I keep in my pocket,” Blake stated. “A pre-1964 dime is 90% silver. It is worth two dollars and ninety cents today, while a Biden dime is worth ten cents. Since 1964 our money has lost over 95% of its value.” Blake argued that both political parties are responsible for the current situation. “Both of them are spending more money than we can justify,” Blake said. Blake said that he and other Libertarian candidates are circulating a petition for the Alabama Legislature to pass the Firearms Protection Act, which would prohibit state or local officials from participating in any federal gun seizure efforts. “The blue ticks are trying to take away our firearms away, and there is a reason for that. You can’t impose tyranny with an armed population,” Blake stated. Blake said that the Libertarians are getting pushback from the Republicans, which control the state. “The Republicans now are threatened by us,” Blake said. “They are threatening their own people that they can’t run as a Republican for six years if they support one of us. Now they are trying to close their primaries even though they are supported by the taxpayers. If they are funded by tax dollars, I ought to be able to vote in all the primaries. It did not cost one tax dollar to get our 65 candidates on the ballot.” Blake said that he supports substantive tax reform and not tax rebates. “My first priority is to get rid of the Alabama income tax,” Blake said. “Our income tax makes us noncompetitive with other states. Florida does not have one. Neither does Tennessee, and Mississippi is phasing theirs out. Georgia passed over $2 billion in tax cuts, while we increased the gas tax and some piddling tax cuts.” Blake urged people to volunteer for his campaign. “We need bodies. We need manpower at every level,” Blake said. “We could sure use some help. We have gotten great support from some of our technical people. I used to know how to run a campaign, but it is all different now.” Blake is running against incumbent Republican Governor Kay Ivey and Democratic nominee Yolanda Rochelle Flowers in the November 8 general election. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
