Nathaniel Ledbetter announces planned committee chair appointments
Rainsville Republican Nathaniel Ledbetter is expected to be elected as the next Speaker of the House in the Republican-dominated Alabama House of Representatives. On Wednesday, Ledbetter announced his first picks for Committee chairs. The Alabama House Republican Caucus has already chosen Ledbetter as their Speaker-designate but can’t formally elect a Speaker until the full House gavels in for an organizational session in January. Since Republicans occupy 77 of the 105 seats in the Alabama House of Representatives, it is a foregone conclusion that the party’s pick will be the next Speaker. Under the rules of the Alabama House of Representatives, the Speaker picks the committee chairs – normally from his or her own party. “I am confident that each of these members will serve our state well and invite new ideas and fresh perspectives to the committees they chair,” Ledbetter said in a statement. “All of them possess unique skills, talents, experiences, and abilities that make them uniquely qualified to chair the committees they will be assigned to lead.” The powerful House Rules Committee sets the proposed special order calendar for legislation that the body is to consider. Chairman Mike Jones did not return to the legislature. Ledbetter has chosen Rep. Joe Lovvorn to chair the Rules Committee. He is a retired firefighter and currently works as a realtor and small business owner. Lovvorn previously served as chair of the House Technology and Research Committee, which means that Ledbetter will be appointing a new chair for that committee as well. State Rep. Rex Reynolds will be the new Chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee. Former Chairman Steve Clouse has returned to the House, but he challenged Ledbetter for the open Speaker position when outgoing Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon announced his retirement. Reynolds is retired law enforcement. He is the former Police Chief of Huntsville. State Rep. Danny Garrett will be returning as the House Ways and Means Education Budget Committee Chairman. Garret is a former CFO of two different publicly traded manufacturing companies and is a former Trussville Board of Education member. State Rep. Jim Hill will be returning as Chairman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee. Hill is a retired St. Clair County Judge. He works for the Moody-based law firm Hill, Gossett, Kemp & Hufford. Committee Chairs are very powerful because they set the agendas for what bills will and will not be considered in their committees and when. In the case of the Education and General Fund budget committees, the chairs have enormous influence over the budgets that pass out of their committees. Rep. Chris Pringle has been chosen by the House Republican Caucus as their designee to fill the role of Speaker Pro Tem, replacing Rep. Victor Gaston, who also did not seek re-election. Scott Stadthagen is replacing Ledbetter as House Majority Leader. The House Democratic Caucus has already elected Rep. Anthony Daniels to return as House Minority Leader. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Nathaniel Ledbetter to retain Mark Tuggle as Chief of Staff
Last Wednesday, State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter announced that he will retain Mark Tuggle as his chief of staff when he is elected as the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. Ledbetter was elected as the choice of House Republicans in their post-election Caucus meeting of the House Republicans. Since the GOP maintained its’ commanding 77 to 28 supermajority lead in the November 8 election, the choice of the Republican Caucus is going to be the Speaker of the House when the Legislature meets in an organizational session, likely in January. Tuggle is a former member of the House who has served as Chief of Staff for outgoing Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon. Tuggle is a professional forester and a retired employee of the Alabama Power Company. “Mark was an outstanding legislator during his time in the Alabama House, and he has proven himself to be an equally talented chief of staff under Speaker McCutcheon,” Ledbetter said. “I know that Mark will be a source of wise counsel and sage advice as we work to tackle the challenges that Alabama faces in the coming quadrennium, and I look forward to working alongside him if elected speaker.” Tuggle was part of the 2010 class of Republican legislators, who were elected in a wave election that gave Republicans control of the House after 135 years of Democratic control of the body. Tuggle represented House District 81 for eight years and served as Chairman of the House State Government Committee. Tuggle has served as the Speaker’s chief of staff since leaving the Legislature in 2018. “As a member of the Alabama House, Mark set himself apart as a leader and proved a valuable source of wise counsel, so I’m pleased to continue utilizing his talents as my chief of staff,” McCutcheon said in a statement when he first appointed Tuggle. “Alabama faces many challenges that the Legislature must resolve, and Mark will play a large role in developing and passing needed solutions to those important issues.” “When I decided against seeking another term in the House, I assumed my work in state government had ended, but Speaker McCutcheon convinced me to continue serving the citizens of Alabama in this new role,” Tuggle said. “As a former member, I’ll be able to advise the new House members with the perspective of someone who has once held the same responsibilities, and I will work with the returning members as someone they already know and trust.” Tuggle has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree from Faulkner University. He and his wife, Michelle, have one daughter. Ledbetter will be the third Republican Speaker of the House, succeeding McCutcheon, who was elected Speaker of the House in 2016 after Speaker Mike Hubbard was found guilty of felony ethics violations by a Lee County Grand Jury. Seth Hammett was the last Democratic Speaker of the House. Democratic nominee Phillip Ensler successfully unseated incumbent Rep. Charlotte Meadows in the midterm elections. However, Republican nominee Rick Rehm successfully unseated incumbent Democratic incumbent Dexter Grimsley. Thus, there was no net change in the Republican-dominated Legislature. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Personnel Update: Tracey Arnold named Chief of Staff for Alabama House Majority
On Thursday, Alabama House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen announced that he has named Tracey Arnold as the Chief of the Staff of the Alabama House of Representatives Majority Caucus. Arnold is a twenty-year veteran of Alabama legislative operations. She will begin transitioning to her new role immediately. Arnold has served in Executive Assistant and Committee Clerk roles during her tenure in the Alabama State House. For the last five years, she has served as the Committee Clerk for the powerful House Rules Committee. “Tracey will be a great asset to the caucus and to each of our members, both newly elected and veteran legislators,” Stadthagen said in a statement shared via email with Alabama Today. “Her knowledge of the entire legislative process and of the needs of caucus members is unparalleled. Her institutional knowledge, work ethic, and commitment to doing everything she does with accuracy and integrity will serve the members and the taxpayers well.” Arnold is a native of Montgomery and a graduate of Faulkner University. She said that she is excited about her new role. “This is going to be a new challenge, but it is one I am looking forward to,” Arnold said. “Working with the Majority Leader to serve the entire caucus and, effectively, the entire state is an honor,” Arnold said. “I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.” The Alabama House of Representatives will be led by a new leadership team. Stadthagen was elected by the House Republican Caucus to serve as Majority Leader on November 10. State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter, the previous Majority Leader, was elected to be the next Speaker of the House. Speaker Mac McCutcheon did not run again. The House Republican Caucus elected Chris Pringle as Speaker Pro Tem. The current Pro Tem – Victor Gaston – also did not run for re-election. Pringle was recently re-elected to his second term in the Alabama House of Representatives. Republicans successfully defended their commanding supermajorities in both Houses of the Alabama Legislature during recent midterm elections. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama House Democrats re-elect Anthony Daniels as House Minority Leader
On Monday, the 28 members comprising the Alabama House Democrats elected their caucus leadership for the upcoming 2023-2024 legislative sessions. The caucus elected Rep. Anthony Daniels as Alabama House Minority Leader, Rep. Barbara Drummond as Caucus Chair, Rep. Mary Moore as Caucus Vice Chair, and Rep. Kelvin Lawrence as Caucus Secretary/Treasurer. After the election, Daniels stated, “I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to work again with such a talented and dedicated group of leaders who remain dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Alabamians. We will continue to promote practical and meaningful legislation and policies that highlight our pro-growth, pro-innovation platform. Right now, we are already working hard to prepare our 2023 legislative agenda to continue our focus on strengthening economic growth, access to quality health care, education innovation, mental health care, affordable housing, and justice for all.” Last week, Republicans selected State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter of Rainsville to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives. He will replace House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, who did not run for re-election. Ledbetter was elected to the Alabama Legislature in 2014. He served as GOP majority leader. He is the former mayor of Rainsville. The Legislature will start its regular session in March.
Scott Stadthagen elected House Republican Majority Leader
The voters went to the polls on Tuesday and, by an overwhelming majority, voted to give the Alabama Republican Party control of state government for another four years. While Republicans did not grow their supermajority, they fought off Democratic and Libertarian challengers across the state with no net losses. The members of the caucus met on Thursday to decide on new leadership going forward. State Rep. Scott Stadthagen was elected by the members of the Republican House Caucus to serve as the body’s next Majority Leader. He replaces Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter, who was elected Speaker of the House at the same meeting. Current Speaker Mac McCutcheon did not run for reelection as he is retiring. A full third of the Caucus will be first-term members. Stadthagen will serve as leader of the Caucus as it ushers in 26 new Republican members. The new Majority Leader says that he is looking forward to the advantages that the large incoming class could bring to the new quadrennium. “I have had the opportunity to speak with each of the newly elected members, and I am excited by the new ideas they bring to the table,” Stadthagen said. “There is value in bringing fresh sets of eyes with new suggestions for policy into our caucus. I am excited about it.” Stadthagen expressed confidence that the institutional knowledge and experience that veteran members have will be an asset to both the new members and to the House of Representatives as a whole. “The men and women who are returning to serve the people of our state in the Alabama Legislature after being re-elected are returning with the knowledge that the people of their districts voted overwhelmingly to re-elect them,” Stadthagen explained. “Having that vote of confidence from the constituents that you work so hard to serve is a big motivator. We will not forget the faith that the people of Alabama have put in us. They are counting on the Republican caucus. We won’t let them down.” Stadthagen promises to maintain a direct line of communication with all of the members of the caucus, newly elected as well as returning members, to ensure that each member is getting the support they need to represent their district to the best of their ability. “I am committed to staying in close contact with all of the caucus members to be as helpful as possible,” Stadthagen promised. “That is the role I was elected to do, and I take it very seriously. I want to help make this quadrennium as productive as possible for every legislator and for the people of the State of Alabama.” This will be just Stadthagen’s second term in the Alabama House of Representatives. He was re-elected on Saturday with 99.1% of the vote. He and his wife, Amy, have one daughter. Chris Pringle, one of the most senior remaining members of the Caucus, was named Speaker Pro Tem and will serve as Speaker if Ledbetter is absent or unable to perform his duties. The outgoing Pro Tem Victor Gaston also did not seek reelection. Now while the House Republican Caucus has chosen Ledbetter and Pringle to lead the House, they still need to be selected by the full body of the House when it is next in session. That will likely occur during an organizational session in January. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Republicans pick Nathaniel Ledbetter to be next House speaker
Republicans on Thursday selected Alabama state Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter of Rainsville to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives. Republicans elected the DeKalb County lawmaker as their nominee. House members will officially elect a new speaker at the January organizational session. Caucus support essentially assures Ledbetter of the position since Republicans hold 77 of the 105 House seats. He will replace House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, who did not run for re-election. Ledbetter was elected to the Alabama Legislature in 2014. He served as GOP majority leader. He is the former mayor of Rainsville. “The members of the House Republican Caucus are a talented group of men and women who support the conservative principles and traditional values that most Alabamians share, and I am honored beyond measure to be chosen as their nominee for Speaker of the House,” Ledbetter said in a news release. “If elected Speaker, I will work hard to preside fairly and ensure that all voices have an opportunity to be heard in the committee rooms and chamber of the Alabama House.” The caucus nominated Rep. Chris Pringle of Mobile for speaker pro tem nominee. Republicans picked Rep. Scott Stadthagen of Decatur as majority leader. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Katie Britt urges voters to vote for Republicans up and down the ballot
On Monday, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Katie Britt, was joined at a rally in Madison by Republican leaders across the state of Alabama in Huntsville. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) expressed her support for Britt and urged everyone to encourage their friends to go to the polls to vote for Britt and other Republicans on November 8. Britt urged voters to vote “for Republicans up and down the ballot.” Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon said, “We have a lot of great leaders here for our state and nation. Thank you, Sen. Blackburn, for being here. I want to thank everyone for coming here. We have an election coming up. I want to tell you that this is a very important election for this state and also for this nation as well. Go vote and take someone with you as well. Rex Vaughn with the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) said he met with Katie Britt when she began her campaign. “We talked about what it would take to get the ALFA and Farmers Federation endorsement,” Vaughn said. “It was a tall order. She was down 40 points in name identification.” “I thought that Tommy Tuberville could not be surpassed (in working hard on the campaign trail), but she did,” Vaugh said. “We (the Farmers’ Federation) were told by many political experts across this state that we would regret our endorsement of her.” Britt defeated Congressman Mo Brooks and businessman and veteran Mike Durant in the Republican primary. She appears poised to take the Senate seat in one week. “I want you to leave here and contact ten and hopefully twenty people that you know and tell them to come out to vote,” said McCutcheon. McCutcheon urged voters to support the Republican nominees. “All of the (Republican) candidates are in unison to come together and move us forward,” McCutcheon said. “We are here on election eve, and I am so excited by what w are going to see here Tuesday,” said Congressman Robert Aderholt. “I am so happy to be here with people from both the Fourth and Fifth Congressional Districts. It is an honor to be joined here by Sen. Blackburn. I have watched her from a distance, and she is someone who both says she is a conservative and is a conservative. As Marsha and I know, there are some people in Washington who give lip service to being conservative but don’t walk the walk.” “I am so excited to be here,” Sen. Blackburn said. “What a great crowd for Monday morning. Alabama is going to help us to fire Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. Once we do that, you are going to have Chairman Aderholt (House Appropriations). We are looking forward to that. I look forward to Dale Strong coming to Congress. I have gotten to meet him. We are so excited that Katie is running. We are so excited for all the energy and enthusiasm that she brings to this race.” “I fully believe that, and you believe, that America’s best days are ahead of us,” Blackburn said. “We cannot win if we do not get out the vote. We cannot send the message that North Alabama is not purple, but red if we do not get people out to vote.” Blackburn continued, “The message this year: people are all concerned about inflation, are all concerned about the crisis on the border. This year you have got such a great opportunity from the local level to the state level to the federal level to send that message.” Blackburn commented about Britt, “You are going to send an absolute fireball to the U.S. Senate. She is going to do a great job working with Sen. Tuberville. I cannot wait to have her in the U.S. Senate.” “Thank you for your continued service. I cannot wait to serve alongside you,” Britt said of Blackburn. “Look at this crowd. I cannot believe so many people came out on a Monday with Halloween and school and so much going on.” “If we are going to put this nation back on the right track, we are going to have to do it by putting in Republicans from the top to the bottom of the ballot,” Britt continued. “We knew that we believed in the state and the nation. If our generation at age 40 does not stand up, then we will be the first generation who leaves our children a worse nation than the one that we grew up in. We have to stand up and fight for our children and grandchildren, or they might not have much left to fight for.” “Under Joe Biden’s failed leadership, he has left our border open to human traffickers, drug traffickers, and terrorists,” Britt said. “Rest assured that when I am in the Senate, I will stand alongside Senator Tuberville, Senator Cotton, and Senator Blackburn to make sure that we will not let the Chinese government buy up our farmland.” State Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield said that Alabama Republican leadership has been more positive than Democrat leadership. “The state was in terrible shape, our budgets were in terrible shape, our ethics laws were nonexistent,” Scofield argued. “Our schools were in terrible shape. Why would we go back to that? We have two Senators on the ballot in Madison County next week: Sen. Tom Butler and Sen. Sam Givhan. I serve with these two men not just in the State Senate but serving with them on the Madison County Delegation. They are effective for us in Madison County.” House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter urged residents of Madison County to support Republican candidates Dr. David Cole and Phillip Rigsby, who are in hotly contested races with Democrats. “November 8 is a big day for Madison County,” Ledbetter said. “One of two things are going to happen. Madison County is going to set the stake for the state, or it’s going to fail.” Britt urged voters to vote for Republican Greg Cooke for Alabama Supreme Court. Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth stated, “We are on fire with this economy. The talk was we were going to lose a congressional seat, then we were going to lose two congressional
Marsha Blackburn and Katie Britt headline Republican get out the vote event in Madison County
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Katie Britt was joined by U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn for a Republican Get Out The Vote (GOTV) rally in Madison County on Monday, October 31st. Britt and Blackburn will also be joined by Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield, and House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter. These GOP leaders will be joined by local candidates, elected officials, grassroots activists, and members of the public. “I’m excited to join an incredible lineup of speakers in Madison County at our Get Out The Vote rally,” said Katie Britt in a statement. “It’s an honor to have Senator Marsha Blackburn on hand to outline how important this upcoming General Election is. We are looking forward to visiting with everyone and discussing what’s at stake on November 8. It’s time to send a message loud and clear to Washington, D.C. that we’ve had enough of President [Joe] Biden’s radical agenda that puts hardworking Alabama families last, whether it is generationally high inflation, a historic border crisis, or the devastating flood of fentanyl into our communities. This is the Year of the Parent, and people across our great state know that our future is on the ballot. Together, we will preserve the American Dream for our children and our children’s children.” “Mexican drug cartels went into overdrive as soon as President Biden took office, smuggling fentanyl in by the truckload,” Blackburn wrote last week. “With any semblance of law and order tossed aside, dealers realized they could get away with lacing common prescription drugs. Now, just in time for Halloween, the DEA is warning parents that the cartels are attempting to lure children with brightly-colored “rainbow” fentanyl made to look like candy. That’s right – they are serving up poison that could pass as Chewy SweeTARTS. With heinous operations like this, it’s no wonder fentanyl overdoses have become the leading cause of death for adults ages 18 to 45.” The event was hosted by Black Patch Distillery at 500 Lanier Road, Unit 3C in Madison. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Kay Ivey awards $82.45 million in broadband grants to Middle-Mile project
On Tuesday, Gov. Kay Ivey awarded an $82.45 million grant to help make statewide broadband service availability more attainable for more people across Alabama. Ivey made the announcement at the Central Alabama Electric Cooperative headquarters building just North of Prattville. “Achieving full broadband coverage is a journey, not a short trip, and today is an important step toward completing that journey,” Gov. Ivey stated. “The Alabama Middle-Mile project – the infrastructure setting part of this journey – is going to lead our state to be the model for the nation when it comes to providing broadband capabilities. In 2022, being able to be connected at home, work, or on the go is absolutely necessary, and this is certainly key to making that a reality.” Gov. Ivey explained that the funds will be used by Fiber Utility Network, a corporation formed by eight rural electric cooperatives to fund a “middle-mile” broadband network that will have a statewide impact. The eight co-ops include Central Alabama, Coosa Valley, Covington, Cullman, Joe Wheeler, North Alabama, PowerSouth, and Tombigbee. Ivey was joined at the event by state leaders, including Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia), President Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate Greg Reed (R-Jasper), State Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville), Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro), State Rep. Randall Shedd (R-Baileytown), and Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director Kenneth Boswell. “The project is the springboard to supplying broadband services for rural residents, businesses, educational facilities, and other community anchors,” said Director Boswell. “I commend the Fiber Utility Network for their willingness to undertake this necessary step to ensure more Alabamians have access to these services.” ADECA is administering the award through its Alabama Digital Expansion Division, which the Legislature created in order to identify projects that will expand broadband access in Alabama. “In terms of broadband, this is a great leap forward,” said Sen. Scofield, chairman of the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority board. “Governor, you really are America’s broadband governor, and we can’t thank you enough.” “Connectivity is really the great equalizer,” Scofield continued. “This will really put us at the forefront of broadband in Alabama, and it will help us expand much quicker and at a more economical cost.” “This project is probably the most significant step we’ve taken to get high-speed internet access to everyone in Alabama,” said Rep. Shedd, who serves as co-chairman of the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority board. “I could not be any more excited,” Sen. Reed told reporters. “I would like to congratulate the Governor, Sen. Scofield, and Director Boswell. This is the largest thing we could do for our infrastructure.” “This is a tremendous step in the right direction to digitally connect all of Alabama, especially the Black Belt,” said Sen. Singleton. “I am proud to stand with Governor Ivey to award these needed funds to elevate these communities and provide a service that will have an impact on the entire state.” “Thank you, Governor, for always including rural Alabama in your vision for the state,” Singleton said. “This is a game changer.” The Alabama Middle-Mile Network project involves filling in gaps in broadband expansion which will hopefully result in more cost-effective and feasible ways to provide broadband service availability to residents in rural areas. Tom Stackhouse is the president of the Fiber Utility Network. “The eight electric cooperatives that make up the Fiber Utility Network are honored to be a part of building a middle mile network to bring internet service closer to those Alabamians,” said Stackhouse. “We want to thank Governor Ivey and the staff at ADECA for the vision, leadership, and assistance to make this a reality.” Chris Rush is the President of Marshall Medical Center – a hospital in North Alabama. “There are two crucial elements to health care. The first is having quality care, top-quality doctors, nurses, staff, and technology, and also the ability to access that care. In a lot of places and areas, that is not possible,” Rush said. “It is easier to connect through telemedicine with a specialist in a network located at a central urban hospital like we are with the Huntsville Hospital system. I would like to express my gratitude to Governor Ivey, Senator Scofield, and others.” The Fiber Utility Network will create a middle-mile network connecting almost 3,000 miles of existing and new fiber infrastructure within three years. When complete, the network will provide improved access to unserved areas for the last-mile projects that provide actual broadband availability to homes, businesses, and schools. Once connected, residents will have the ability to become a customer of the last-mile broadband providers. Funds for the project are being provided through the American Rescue Plan Act. The use of those funds was approved earlier this year by the Alabama Legislature. Alabama still has over a billion dollars in ARPA funds yet to appropriate. Reed said that the Legislature will address further funding for broadband, “As quickly as the legislature can address this issue.” “I told a reporter that we should spend all of it on this,” Shedd said. “That’s what it is going to take.” To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Mac McCutcheon endorses Jeremy Oden and Chip Beeker for Public Service Commissioner
Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon announced endorsements for Jeremy Oden and Chip Beeker for Public Service Commissioner. McCutcheon, a retired law enforcement officer, explained that keeping Beeker and Oden on the Public Service Commission will ensure Alabamians have a conservative voice on the state level. McCutcheon emphasized the need to have leaders who will “push back on the Biden Administration’s radical, liberal anti-energy agenda.” According to Alabama Secretary of State campaign finance records, radical “environmental justice” activists have selected their preferred “Republican” primary candidates, Robin Litaker and Brent Woodall, for the Public Service Commission. As first reported by Dylan Smith of Yellowhammer News, both candidates have taken large sums of money from Nelson Brooke of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. Brooke has made a total of $73,000 in contributions to Alabama candidates, all of the money going to democrats except three contributions: $20,000 to Litaker this cycle, $10,000 to her in her last race, and $10,000 to Woodall. “Alabama has the most conservative Public Service Commission in the nation, and we need to keep it that way,” said McCutcheon. “That’s why I’m proudly voting for conservative fighters Jeremy Oden and Chip Beeker on June 21. This is a critical election for Alabama’s future, and we need to get everyone out to the polls to keep the PSC conservative. We cannot allow the radical Left to buy a Republican primary in our state. Chip Beeker and Jeremy Oden will fight PresidentBiden’s ‘America Last’ Green New Deal agenda, and they’ll defend our jobs, small businesses, farmers, and values.” McCutcheon concluded, “Jeremy Oden and Chip Beeker support affordable, reliable, and secure energy for hardworking Alabama families. I am proud to endorse them and urge Alabamians to vote to keep the Alabama Public Service Commission conservative.” The Republican primary runoff is June 21.
Kay Ivey stresses record, opponents challenge her on it
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is seeking to avoid a runoff in Tuesday’s Republican primary, while her challengers are seeking to push her into one. In the closing hours of the gubernatorial campaign, Ivey stressed her record as she seeks a second full term in office. But her opponents, including former Trump ambassador Lindy Blanchard and businessman Tim James, portrayed Ivey as not adequately conservative, citing her support of a gas tax increase to fund road and bridge construction and her handling of the coronavirus pandemic, including a now-expired mask and business closure mandate. Standing with supporters, including House Speaker Mac McCutcheon and other legislative leaders, during a Monday campaign stop in Huntsville, Ivey stressed her record on job creation and conservative issues — including gun rights and abortion — as she faces a slate of right-flank challengers. She said her opponents have tried to distort her record. “We’re looking for a great night. Y’all have seen it for months; my opponents have been out there, spreading lies, trying to tear me down. It’s just plum sad. The good folks of Alabama know better. That dog won’t hunt,” Ivey said during the Monday campaign stop in Huntsville. She touted legislation she signed as governor, including a bill banning transgender girls from playing on female sports teams at public schools. She said legislation she signed outlawing abortion will be the law of the state, “when Rove v. Wade is finally overturned.” “During this campaign, we’ve stayed positive because I have a very positive record that I’m proud to run on and continue delivering on for four more years. I need y’all’s help to get this thing done without a runoff,” she said. Blanchard said voters thought they were getting a conservative when they voted for Ivey but said that turned out not be the case. “She forced a gas tax on us that goes on forever; I don’t know of any Republican who would do that,” Blanchard said, referencing the tax increase, which includes a mechanism for automatic increases. “I’ll be that conservative governor who makes proactive, not reactive choices and decisions for the state and for the voters. I’m going to give the voice back to the people,” said Blanchard, who served as former President Donald Trump’s ambassador to Slovenia. James said Monday that any primary with an incumbent is a referendum on whether “you want to keep this person to lead this state for the next four years or do you want someone to take the state in a new direction.” “We believe that the people of Alabama are ready for a change. They are ready for a new direction,” James said in a telephone interview. “This is not personal. She is a nice lady. She is not an enemy. But the Kay Ivey today is not the same person on policy to what she was, I think, years ago.” Ivey faces a total of eight primary challengers, including Blanchard, James — the son of former Gov. Fob James — and Lew Burdette, who runs King’s Home, a Christian-based nonprofit with group homes throughout the state. The other contenders are former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy Lee George; Opelika pastor Dean Odle; businessman Dean Young; Donald Trent Jones and Springville Mayor Dave Thomas. It is historically difficult for a primary challenger to defeat an incumbent governor. None of the primary challengers have the footprint to defeat Ivey alone. They instead are placing hopes that they can collectively garner enough primary votes and keep Ivey below 50% of the vote to spark a runoff and a new political ballgame. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
State Rep. Steve McMillan passes away at 80
State Rep. Steve McMillan passed away Thursday at the age of 80. McMillan announced in January that he had been diagnosed with brain tumors and would be undergoing treatment. The Baldwin County lawmaker was set to vacate the House District 95 seat at the end of his term. McMillan was dean of the Alabama House of Representatives and was elected to the House as a Democrat in 1980. He switched to the Republican party in 1993. He was the owner of the real estate firm McMillan and Associates. House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said McMillan’s experience made him a mentor and advisor to many. “Because of his experience in the House, Steve was a mentor to many members through the years, and he was a close friend and trusted advisor to me,” McCutcheon stated in a press release. “He wasn’t afraid to take unpopular stands as long as it benefited or protected the people in his district. My wife Deb and I send out heartfelt condolences to his family.” House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter released a statement on behalf of the Alabama House Republican Caucus. “Throughout his 42 years in the Alabama House of Representatives, Rep. Steve McMillan worked tirelessly to serve the needs of his Baldwin County constituents and make Alabama an even better place to live, work, worship, and raise a family. His integrity and demeanor earned him the trust of House members on both sides of the aisle, and he worked effectively with Republicans and Democrats alike,” stated Ledbetter. “Every House Speaker under whom he served respected his opinion and was influenced by his counsel. When Rep. McMillan spoke, his colleagues listened.” He continued, “Every House Speaker under whom he served respected his opinion and was influenced by his counsel. When Rep. McMillan spoke, his colleagues listened. Steve McMillan’s legacy will live on in the scores of legislators he mentored and advised, the important measures he sponsored and passed, and the Lodge at Gulf State Park that he worked so hard for so many years to make a reality.” Ledbetter concluded, “His was a life well-lived. The members of the Alabama House Republican Caucus join me in lifting up the McMillan family in this time of need and asking God to give them strength and consolation in the days ahead.” McMillan’s funeral will be held on May 7 at Gulf Shores United Methodist Church.
