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.
Election 2022: A look at who’s running on the Alabama ballot
Alabama voters will decide races ranging from U.S. Senate and governor to local offices in Tuesday’s election Polling places and registration status can be found on the secretary of state’s website, at https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview. Voter turnout is expected to be moderate, according to a projection by Secretary of State John Merrill. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Here’s a quick look at major statewide races and issues: US SENATE Republican Katie Britt faces Democratic nominee Will Boyd and Libertarian John Sophocleus in the race for the rare open Senate seat in Alabama. Britt is outgoing U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby’s former chief of staff and the former leader of the Business Council of Alabama. Britt was endorsed by former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary and has emphasized border security, concern about the national debt and a need for new voices in Congress. Boyd, a pastor, supports Medicaid expansion and efforts to protect the Voting Rights Act. Sophocleus, a former college economics instructor at Auburn University, supports the abolishment of federal gun laws and the creation of a flat tax. GOVERNOR Republican Gov. Kay Ivey is looking to win a second full term in office as she faces Democrat Yolanda Flowers and Libertarian Jimmy Blake. Ivey avoided a runoff in the spring despite facing eight Republican challengers in the primary. Flowers, an educator, is the first Black woman to win a major party’s gubernatorial nomination in the state. Blake is a physician and a former Birmingham City Council member. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Republican Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth faces Libertarian Ruth Page-Nelson. There is not a Democratic candidate in the race. The lieutenant governor presides over the Alabama Senate. However, the most notable thing about the position is that the lieutenant governor becomes governor if the governor leaves office for any reason. Libertarians believe the race is their strongest hope of hitting the 20% vote threshold needed to maintain ballot access in 2024. SECRETARY OF STATE Alabama will elect a new person to the office that oversees elections. Republican Rep. Wes Allen faces Democrat Pamela Laffitte and Libertarian Matt Shelby. Allen, citing security concerns, opposes alternative means of voting such as curbside voting, mail-in voting, or allowing people to vote absentee for any reason. Laffitte supports expanded methods, such as early voting and no-excuse absentee voting, to make voting more convenient. Shelby supports changing Alabama’s stringent ballot access law that has made it difficult for third-party candidates to run. He also supports alternative systems such as ranked-choice voting. ATTORNEY GENERAL Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall faces Democrat Wendell Major. Marshall is seeking his second full term as Alabama attorney general. His campaign has emphasized his role in lawsuits challenging vaccine mandates and other policies of President Joe Biden’s administration. Major is the police chief of Tarrant. He has emphasized the need to address the state’s opioid crisis and mental health crisis. OTHER RACES — In the state treasurer’s race, Republican incumbent Young Boozer faces Libertarian Scott Hammond. — In the state auditor’s race, Republican Andrew Sorrell faces Libertarian Leigh Lachine. — In the race for commissioner of agriculture and industries, Republican incumbent Rick Pate faces Libertarian Jason Clark — In the races for Public Service Commission, Republican incumbents Jeremy Oden and Chip Beeker face challenges from Libertarians Ron Bishop and Laura Lane. — In the race for Alabama Supreme Court, Place 5, Republican Greg Cook faces Democrat Anita Kelly. NEW CONSTITUTION Alabama voters will decide whether to ratify the Alabama Constitution of 2022 that removes racist language, such as references to segregated schools and an interracial marriage ban. It also reorganizes the document, which has been amended nearly 1,000 times, to remove repealed provisions and make it more user-friendly. However, it makes no changes to how government operates. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS There are 10 proposed statewide constitutional amendments. Those include Amendment 1, which would give judges more discretion to deny bail to people accused of violent crimes. Amendment 10 is a companion amendment to the ratification vote that would allow new amendments to be placed within the document. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
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.
Leigh LaChine is the Libertarian candidate for State Auditor
The Greater Birmingham Libertarians held a candidates forum in Homewood on September 12. Leigh LaChine is running for State Auditor and was one of the three statewide Libertarian candidates who spoke at the forum. “One thing I don’t want is straight-ticket voting,” LaChine said. LaChine said that the important thing is to give the voters a choice on the ballot. Lachine is the Chairman of the Greater Birmingham Libertarians, who hosted the event at Jim’ N Nick’s barbecue restaurant. He is the former Chair and Vice Chair of the Libertarian Party of Alabama. He is also the President of the Eastwood Neighborhood Association, which is part of the Birmingham Citizenship Participation Plan. Current State Auditor Jim Zeigler is term-limited from running for a third term. State Rep. Andrew Sorrell is the Republican nominee for State Auditor after a hard-fought primary runoff battle. “My opponent got a perfect score from the American Conservative Union,” LaChine said. “He spent over $650,000 for a job that pays only $85,000. That does not sound very conservative to me. I hope to run my campaign for less than $1000, so I don’t have to file a campaign finance report.” LaChine was born in Toledo, Ohio. He and his wife, Kathy, are very active in their community, serving as certified barbecue judges and fostering animals for the Human Society. LaChine wrote on his website, “Libertarians believe that education is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality, accountability, and efficiency with more diversity of choice. Recognizing that the education of children is a parental responsibility, we would restore authority to parents to determine the education of their children, without interference from government.” “Governments should not incur debt, which burdens future generations without their consent,” Lachine added. “We believe the federal, state, and local governments simply can not afford to continue borrowing at our current rates. This runaway spending has led to a federal debt of over $30 trillion and climbing. The State of Alabama is $5 billion in debt. LaChine is an Eagle Scout and a graduate of Lake High School in Millbury, Ohio. He has a bachelor’s degree from East Michigan University. Libertarian gubernatorial nominee Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake and Lieutenant Governor nominee Ruth Page Nelson also addressed the forum, as well as several State Legislature candidates. Lachine has worked in and started environmental consulting firms in Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, and Alabama. LaChine and Sorrell will both be on the November 8 general election ballot. There is no Democratic nominee running for State Auditor. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
