Business president resigns, could seek U.S. Senate seat
Katie Boyd Britt announced Tuesday that she is stepping down as president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, a decision that comes amid speculation that she will run for U.S. Senate. BCA announced Britt’s decision in a statement and said her resignation is effective Friday. Britt has led the influential business lobby since 2019. She previously served as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, who announced in February at the age of 86 that he would not seek a seventh term. While she has not announced a run, it has been speculated that Britt could run for the Senate seat being vacated by Shelby. The BCA statement said Britt is leaving to pursue other opportunities. “One of my greatest prides at BCA has been bringing the previously forgotten back into the fold – our small businesses on Main Street, and the rural businesses and industry that are the heart beats of local communities in every corner of our great state,” Britt said in a statement about her departure from BCA. “We have relentlessly fought for the things that matter most to hardworking Alabamians trying to earn livelihoods, build lives and raise families. Certainly, some of our toughest, yet most rewarding, battles have come the past year during the pandemic. We helped lead the successful charge to Keep Alabama Open, and spearheaded the push to protect businesses from frivolous COVID lawsuits.” Shelby’s departure will leave a power void — and set the stage for a crowded primary for the GOP nomination in the red-leaning state. Two Republicans have already entered the 2022 race. Congressman Mo Brooks, who is armed with an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, and Lynda Blanchard, a businesswoman who was Trump’s ambassador to Slovenia, are running for the seat. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Donald Trump endorses Mo Brooks among Alabama GOP Senate contenders
Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Rep. Mo Brooks in Alabama’s 2022 Senate race, siding with the conservative firebrand who riled up the crowd before the Capitol riot over other contenders in the state’s all-important Republican primary. Trump announced his support in a statement shared by the Brooks campaign for the seat being vacated by six-term Sen. Richard Shelby. “Few Republicans have as much COURAGE and FIGHT as Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks,” Trump said in the statement, adding that Brooks “will stand up for America First no matter what obstacles the Fake News Media, RINOs, or Socialist Democrats may place in his path.” In a state where Trump won 62% of the vote in 2020, the former president’s backing is an important prize. When Shelby, 86, announced that he won’t seek reelection to the seat he’s held since 1987, he ignited what is expected to be a messy GOP primary at a time when the national Republican Party is trying to chart a direction following Trump’s departure. Brooks already faces Trump ambassador Lynda Blanchard in the primary. Other potential candidates include Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill and Shelby’s former chief of staff, Katie Boyd Britt, who now heads an influential business lobby. “I ask all Alabamians who share our America First vision to heed and honor President Trump’s request by joining our campaign,” Brooks said. Brooks, 66, a five-term congressman and founder of the Conservative Freedom Caucus, has become a staunch Trump ally. He was fiercely criticized for telling a rally preceding the January Capitol riot that it was time to “start taking down names and kicking ass.” Brooks said the phrase was intended to fire up the crowd for the next election cycle and is being misconstrued as advocating the violence that followed. Blanchard, a businesswoman who was Trump’s ambassador to Slovenia, said Wednesday that she’s remaining in the race and is steadfast in her commitment to Trump. “I have been unwavering in my support of President Trump since the day he came down the escalator in June 2015. He is the greatest President of my lifetime, and I intend to go to Washington as the United States Senator from Alabama to represent the America First agenda that President Trump championed every day,” Blanchard said. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Personnel Update: Former Doug Jones staffer Kate Messervy joins Business Council of Alabama
Kate Messervy has been named director of regional affairs – northern region for the Business Council of Alabama (BCA). Her primary focus will be to better serve BCA membership in north Alabama. Along with working closely with the chambers of commerce in North Alabama, Messervy will be responsible for member services, governmental affairs, and working with elected officials to learn about the business community’s needs in the area. BCA President and CEO Katie Boyd Britt stated, “We are thrilled to have Kate Messervy join the team and be boots on the ground in north Alabama. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a deeply-rooted passion for serving the people of Alabama, and we look forward to the many ways she will help serve and grow our membership in this region of the state.” Kate served as a field representative for former Senator Doug Jones, where she assisted in special event production. She worked with government officials to develop business opportunities and managed crisis communications. Messervy stated, “I am thrilled to be joining the BCA team. I feel honored to be able to carry out BCA’s mission by empowering and supporting the business community in North Alabama. I look forward to this opportunity and cannot wait to learn under Katie’s leadership.” Kate earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree from The University of Alabama Huntsville. She currently resides in Huntsville with her husband and two sons. The Business Council of Alabama is Alabama’s foremost voice for business and is a non-partisan business association in Alabama. The BCA is Alabama’s exclusive affiliate to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers. According to the BCA website, Kellie Hope is the organization’s only other regional field staffer. She joined the BCA in November of 2019 and covers the southern part of the state as its Director of Regional Affairs.
Steve Flowers: 2022 big election year as Alabama chooses Shelby’s successor
Last week we alerted you to the fact that next year will be a banner year in Alabama politics. The governor, lieutenant governor, and all other statewide constitutional offices are up for election. All 140 members of the legislature are up for election and will be running under new lines. Our entire congressional delegation is up for reelection and they too will be running under new lines drawn by the legislature. All 67 sheriffs in the state are also on the ballot. This slate in and of itself would make this a marquee year. However, what will render this upcoming 2022 election year momentous is that we will have a very important U.S. Senate Seat to fill. Richard Shelby will retire after 36 years in the United States Senate. It will be impossible to replace Senator Shelby. The amount of federal dollars he has secured for the Heart of Dixie is incomprehensible and irreplaceable. He will be remembered as the greatest senator in Alabama history. Seniority is paramount in Washington. It is everything. It took Senator Shelby awaiting 20 years before he became one of the major players in Washington. Therefore, Senator Shelby would be the first to tell you that it is imperative for Alabama’s future that we elect someone young to be his successor. If you send someone over 60 to the U.S. Senate, they will never have any real power. The political hierarchy of the senate will recognize that and place our senator on obscure committees. The best thing for us to do is to send a younger person to the Senate, and also one that is not an ideologue demagogue who is more interested in being on Fox News than bringing home the bacon. First on most lists is Katie Boyd Britt. She served as Senator Shelby’s Chief of Staff and is now the CEO of the Business Council of Alabama. She is only 39 years old and she would have the potential to be a power in Washington. Shelby likes her. Someone who will probably be in the race and will be one of the early frontrunners is Secretary of State John Merrill. He has served his two four-year terms as Secretary of State and is precluded from running for another term in that office. Therefore, he has to go somewhere. He is the best retail politician in the state and is the only statewide official with a real grassroots organization. Merrill will be a player and has the acumen and diligence to be an effective senator. Congressman Robert Aderholt would be the logical favorite to take Senator Shelby’s seat. However, with 24 years of seniority in the House, Congressman Aderholt is making the right decision for himself and our state by remaining in his House seat. PSC President, Twinkle Cavanaugh, would be an excellent person to succeed Shelby. She is popular and still young, but she will probably not be in the race. Former Trump Ambassador to Slovenia, Lynda Blanchard, has already announced that she will enter the race for Shelby’s U.S. Senate seat in 2022. She is from Montgomery and has come to the table with $5 million. The person who might run but would not be an effective senator is Huntsville Congressman Mo Brooks. He would be an albatross for our state. During his 10 years in Congress, Brooks has been an obstacle for Senator Shelby and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle as they have worked to build Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal into the Science and Technology Capitol of Alabama and probably the nation. Brooks’ only mission is to be thought of as a right-wing extremist, who cares more about being a demagogue than representing and helping his district. If Brooks were to replace Shelby, it could be devastating to Alabama’s efforts to attract federal dollars or future economic prospects. It will be hard enough for Shelby’s predecessor to simply maintain everything Shelby has brought to Alabama. However, with Brooks in Shelby’s seat, Alabama might actually lose ground – not only the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, but also UAB in Birmingham, Maxwell-Gunter in Montgomery, and Fort Rucker in the Wiregrass. 2022 is going to be a big year in Alabama politics. 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.
In Senate race, Mo Brooks leans into Trump ties
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, who helped lead GOP objections to President Donald Trump’s loss and come under fire for remarks he made preceding the attack on the U.S. Capitol, said Wednesday that he is better known to voters this time as he runs for U.S. Senate. The north Alabama firebrand is seeking the seat that will be vacated when Sen. Richard Shelby retires. He ran for Alabama’s other Senate seat in 2017 but came in third in the primary when he faced attack ads accusing him of being disloyal to Trump. Brooks said he is now better known to voters. “This time I have an established reputation that people can discern that, ‘Yep, Mo Brooks has been beside Donald Trump’s side through thick and thin over the last four years trying to advance the Make America Great agenda,’ ” Brooks said in an interview with The Associated Press. Brooks, 66, doubled down in support of Trump’s unproven claim of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election and maintained there is no evidence so far of a link between the Trump rally and the riot that followed at the U.S. Capitol. The outspoken congressman has come under fire for telling the pro-Trump rally that preceded the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that it was time to “start taking down names and kicking ass.” Brooks said Wednesday that the phrase, said as he was wearing a hat reading “Fire Pelosi,” was intended to fire up the crowd for the next election cycle and is being misconstrued as advocating the violence that followed. “Anyone with a brain larger than a pea knew that I was not advocating violence,” Brooks said Wednesday. He also disagreed with Sen, Mitch McConnell’s assessment that Trump was morally responsible for the violence at the Capitol. Brooks declined to say if he would support Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as Senate leader, saying his vote would go to the most conservative senator seeking the leadership spot and he does not know who will be running. Shelby announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection in 2022, igniting what is expected to be a messy GOP primary at a time when the national Republican Party is trying to chart a direction following Trump’s departure. Brooks joins former Trump ambassador Lynda Blanchard in a Republican primary field that is expected to attract several other hopefuls. Others sometimes mentioned as potential candidates are Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill and Shelby’s former chief of staff, Katie Boyd Britt, who now heads an influential business lobby. Brooks, a former prosecutor, has served five terms in the House, where the former prosecutor joined the conservative Freedom Caucus. He serves on the Armed Services Committee and Science, Space, and Technology, two important committees for his north Alabama district. Brooks told The AP that he had spoken to Trump many times about the Senate race, but declined to say if he had asked Trump for an endorsement or if he expects the former president to weigh in on the race. “Let’s wait and see what President Trump does when he decides to do whatever he is going to do,” Brooks said. Former Trump adviser Stephen Miller threw his support to Brooks at the Monday rally. Miller was widely viewed as the driving force behind the Trump administration’s hardest-line immigration policies. “Nobody has had President Trump’s back more over the last four years than Mo Brooks,” Miller said. The blunt congressman has a history of controversial remarks. In 2014 he accused Democrats of engaging in a “war on whites.” In what could be a war of a GOP primary, Brooks is leaning hard into his combative image, “America can simply not afford senators who cower in their foxholes when the political battles are being fought.” “I am seeking the position of the United States Senate because I believe our country is at risk. I fear for our country’s future more so than any time in my life,” Brooks said. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Will Ainsworth, Alabama lieutenant governor will not run for Senate in 2022
Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said Friday he will not run for the U.S. Senate seat being given up by longtime incumbent Richard Shelby next year. Ainsworth, a first-term Republican from Guntersville, announced on social media that he had considered a bid but decided against running because his three children need a father who’s present and involved in their lives. “I feel strongly that God’s plan currently calls for me to continue leading on the state, not federal, level of government,” he said in a tweet. Elected lieutenant governor in 2018, Ainsworth served a term in the Alabama House before that. Shelby, 86, announced earlier this month that he won’t seek a seventh term. Several other people are considering campaigns, but only former Trump administration ambassador and businesswoman Lynda Blanchard has announced a run. Rep. Mo Brooks of Huntsville has said he is considering a campaign, as is Secretary of State John Merrill. Another possible candidate is Shelby’s former chief of staff, Katie Boyd Britt, who now heads the Business Council of Alabama and likely would have the senator’s backing if she decided to run. Blanchard, 61, said she never considered running for office until former President Donald Trump appointed her to serve as ambassador to Slovenia, the home country of former first lady Melania Trump. Blanchard and her husband began a commercial real estate company that has apartment complexes throughout the South. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama senator Richard Shelby has indicated he won’t run again
U.S. Sen. Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, the Senate’s fourth most senior member, has told confidants that he does not intend to run for reelection next year_— prompting some Republicans to urge the powerful, establishment politician to reconsider, even as potential replacements prepare to run for his seat. The senator in recent weeks told one close Alabama ally that he was not planning on running in 2022 for what would be his seventh term, according to the ally, who was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The person said some in the state were still trying to get Shelby to change his mind out of concern about losing clout and worries that the senator might be replaced by a fringe candidate who would not be as effective. Shelby spokeswoman Blair Taylor said Friday that the senator has not made a decision, “but there will likely be an announcement forthcoming in the next few weeks.” “As I previously stated, the Senator has not made a decision or an announcement regarding whether or not he plans to run in 2022. Any speculation is just that, speculation,” Taylor wrote in an email Friday. A titan of Alabama politics, the 86-year-old politician has spent 42 years in Washington, serving first in the House before the Senate. His stepping down would leave a power void for the region. It would also set off a free-for-all primary in a national party deeply divided between traditional Republicans like Shelby and those who model themselves on former President Donald Trump. Shelby was elected to the Senate in 1986 as a conservative Democrat during the party’s waning days of power in the Deep South, but he switched to the GOP in 1994. He’s spent the past two years as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee before Democrats gained control of the chamber. All along, he has used his influence to benefit the state’s interests, particularly ports and military manufacturers. He played a key role in bringing an FBI campus and the newly announced Space Command to Huntsville. “I don’t know anybody who knows how to wield power like Shelby does,” said David Mowery, an Alabama-based political consultant. “I would say that is his greatest accomplishment, to get money allocated to the state for many different projects,” former Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead said. Alabama’s political circles have long braced for a Shelby retirement. Armistead said the senator told him during his 2016 bid for reelection that it was his last campaign, but Armistead added the caveat that, “Things change.” Several months ago, Shelby told a group of business leaders at a private meeting that he would retire rather than run again, according to a person in attendance who was not authorized to discuss the event and also spoke on condition of anonymity. A list of potential GOP replacements is waiting in the wings. Possible candidates include Shelby’s former chief of staff, Katie Boyd Britt, who now heads an influential business lobby and who would likely have the senator’s backing if she decided to enter the race. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, who suspended his 2020 Senate campaign when former Attorney General Jeff Sessions jumped in the race, said he would consider a run. Rep. Mo Brooks is also expected to eye the seat. Brooks has faced criticism for his role in the Jan. 6 siege at the U.S. Capitol. At a rally before the deadly riot, he told the crowd it was time for “taking down names and kicking ass,” but has maintained since that he was talking about fighting at the ballot box. Brooks declined to comment. Britt did not immediately respond to a text message and a message on social media. Shelby could use his power to give his preferred successor a boost. The senator has gone much of his career without serious opposition and has nearly $10 million in campaign money that he could throw toward his candidate of choice. Still, the GOP primary could serve as a microcosm of the larger national tug of war over the direction of the Republican Party. While Shelby has amassed a conservative voting record, the measured Republican senator has not embraced the bombastic populist style of Trump and Trump-like candidates. “I think it would be a total free-for-all,” said Mowery. Shelby was one of the last of the “old style-Southern politicians who saw as their main job as to steer as much of the federal budget to the state, instead of jumping on the hot-button issue of the day,” Mowery said. In 2017, Shelby bucked his party when he announced that he could not support Republican Roy Moore, who faced sexual misconduct allegations, in the special election for Alabama’s other Senate seat. “You’ll have a lot of candidates that will try to be as loud or as dumb as possible because they think that is what plays to 50% or more of the Republican electorate — not realizing that’s not how you get things done in Washington,” Mowery said. Some prominent state figures are still hoping that Shelby will reconsider. “I hope he will run again. I don’t think there is anyone who has meant more to the state of Alabama in that position in my lifetime,” former Gov. Bob Riley said. ___ This story has been edited to correct that Bill Armistead is the former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Katie Britt promotes three talented leaders at BCA
Three employees with The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) have recently been promoted. Helena Duncan has been promoted to senior vice president of operations and investor relations. Susan Carothers will serve as the vice president of investor relations, and Drew Harrell has been promoted to vice president of governmental affairs. President and CEO of BCA Katie Boyd Britt commented, “Helena, Susan, and Drew have played an instrumental role in the success of BCA, bringing a wealth of knowledge in their respective areas of expertise. I am thrilled to promote each of them into a new leadership role, and I look forward to watching them lead and grow their departments, along with our organization. These talented individuals are a part of a highly skilled team who will continue to work each day to ensure that Alabama is a great place to live, work and do business.” Helena Duncan started working with BCA in January 2020 as the director of strategic operations and growth. With her 30 years of experience in the financial industry, she has worked hard to strengthen partnerships within the business community. In her new role with BCA, Helena will oversee membership, finance, and human resources but will also assume leadership of investor relations, communications, marketing, and events. “Working for BCA has been the most rewarding experience,” stated Helena. “We are consistently laser-focused on serving the businesses of Alabama at the highest level. Although we faced unprecedented times in 2020, our commitment never wavered, and our focus never changed. I’m extremely proud to work for this organization and serve the businesses of Alabama.” Susan Carothers has been a part of BCA as the manager of events and special projects since 2005 and quickly became an expert in many areas. She has managed projects, planned and executed major BCA events, and in 2012 even launched her own company. However, she has remained on contract as the main event planner for BCA. In her new role, she will continue to oversee events and also take over communications and marketing. Drew Harrell is taking the vice president of governmental affairs position Molly Cagle recently vacated. He came to BCA in 2011 as executive assistant to the president and later took on the roles of executive assistant and strategic operations coordinator. His most recent role has been the director of governmental and regulatory affairs, where he also serves as executive director of the Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure. “Being a part of this BCA team and seeing firsthand the value this organization brings to its members, as well as to our state, has been a true blessing,” Drew stated. “I am extremely honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve this great organization in this capacity, and I look forward to building on its successes through collective efforts with our BCA members.” Drew has always played a role in implementing BCA’s legislative agenda, and he will continue this role as vice president of governmental affairs. The Business Council of Alabama is Alabama’s foremost voice for business and is a non-partisan business association in Alabama. The BCA is Alabama’s exclusive affiliate to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers
Personnel update: Molly Cagle leaving BCA for new challenges at Shipt
Molly Cagle is moving on from the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) and joining Shipt’s corporate team as the Senior Director of Government and Public Affairs. Cagle was BCA’s Vice-President of Government affairs. Katie Boyd Britt, BCA President and CEO, hired Cagle for the position in Feb. 2019. Before working for BCA, the Troy University graduate worked as Director of External Affairs at Manufacture Alabama (MA). Molly stated on her Facebook page, “I’m truly thrilled to be joining Shipt’s corporate team as the Senior Director of Government and Public Affairs. I look forward to continuing to work in Alabama, while adding just a few more states to the list.” http:// Britt commented on Katie’s post, “Congratulations again! We are so proud of you (and for Shipt)! You are going to do an incredible job! We miss you already!” Britt hired Cagle for the position in 2019. David Cole, Senior Vice-President of Government Affairs at BCA also commented, “So proud of you!!! Well deserved and you’re going to do wonderful things for Shipt!” In 2020 Cagle was named a Woman of Impact for Yellowhammer News. Shipt headquarters is located in Birmingham and employs hundreds of people in the area. In 2018, the Birmingham City Council unanimously approved a new incentives package which helped encourage the company to stay in Alabama and to add more jobs.
BCA announces new board member and chairman
The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) has announced its 2021 board of directors, including a new chairman. The BCA is a non-partisan, statewide business association representing the interests and concerns of nearly 1 million working Alabamians through its member companies and its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. The BCA board of directors includes leaders from across the state. BCA President and CEO Katie Boyd Britt stated, “We again have gathered an incredible group of professionals to serve as our 2021 board of directors. Every member serves an important role and brings together diverse professional experience on issues important to Alabama business,” commented Britt. “The board plays an instrumental part in BCA’s ability to achieve the goals of growing the state’s economy, creating jobs, and encouraging investment in Alabama. I am excited to work with and learn from them as we all navigate through the new year.” Stephanie A. Bryan, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Chairwoman & CEO, has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors. In her role as CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Bryan oversees all Tribal operations including Tribal Government, Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority (CIEDA), and PCI Gaming Authority (PCIGA). Bryan has been a lifelong member of the tribe and advocates for her tribe on a local and national level. Gary Smith, who currently serves as President and CEO of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative was elected to serve as chairman of the board, succeeding John Mazyck. Smith has had other leadership roles with BCA including chairman of ProgressPAC. He graduated from the University of North Alabama and Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. Smith also serves on the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Board, Alabama Rural Electric Association Cooperatives Board, University of North Alabama Board, and the Southern Independent Bank Board, and others. Britt stated, “Gary Smith has been a valuable partner of BCA for years and has contributed so much already through his involvement. His strong leadership has positively impacted BCA and ProgressPAC in innumerable ways, and I look forward to working alongside him as he continues to work on behalf of the Alabama business community.” “I am honored to serve as BCA’s next chairman. It’s a privilege to be a part of this organization and the board serving the businesses of Alabama,” stated Gary Smith. “I am grateful to John for the countless contributions he made throughout his time as chairman. BCA has continued to succeed in part because of his leadership. I anticipate great things for the future of this organization.” Upon the nomination, Stephanie Bryan stated, “I am honored to serve on BCA’s Board. The Tribe shares BCA’s priority of creating jobs for hardworking Alabamians, and I’m excited for this opportunity. I want to thank Katie Boyd Britt, Gary Smith, and all who were involved in this decision.” Gary Smith praised Bryan, stating, “We are deeply appreciative of Stephanie’s leadership and willingness to serve in this important role. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians have a great track record of creating jobs and giving back to communities across our state, and BCA looks forward to having Stephanie’s valuable voice at the table.” For a full list of the BCA board of directors, visit bcatoday.org.
Inside the Statehouse: Alabama leaders under 45 who affect the political arena
Steve Flowers lists several young rising stars in Alabama politics.
