Steve Flowers: Summer Political Happenings
As the long, hot summer ends and Labor Day approaches, let’s take a look back at what occurred over the last three summer months politically. First of all, it was one of the hottest summers on record. Temperatures soared into the hundreds as early as late June. On one of those late June days, one of the hottest political events of the year occurred. The annual Tomato Sandwich Lunch event hosted by Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate was the biggest yet. The twentieth annual Tomato Sandwich Lunch held at the Ed Teague Arena near the Garrett Coliseum was a must-be event for Alabama political elite. The Tomato Sandwich Lunch promotes produce from local farmers and encourages people to eat Alabama-grown products. Alabama-based vendors donate all of the food for the event. Commissioner Rick Pate was a master host to over 500 attendees. In attendance were U.S. Senator Katie Britt, State Treasurer Young Boozer, and Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth. PSC member Jeremy Oden came from Cullman, and State Board of Education President Wayne Reynolds came from Athens. State Judges in attendance were Supreme Court Judge Greg Cook, Criminal Appeals Court Judge Bill Cole, and Civil Appeals Court Judges Matt Friday and Bill Thompson. Legislators spotted were State Senators Josh Carnley and Will Barfoot, as well as Representatives Jerry Starnes, Margie Wilcox, Van Smith, and Ed Oliver. There were dozens of local County Commissioners from all over the state. Many of the state’s most prominent lobbyists were there, along with many of the Governor’s Cabinet members. Alabama Power Government Affairs guru Houston Smith and Alfa Executive Director Paul Pinyan were prominent. In fact, most of Alfa’s governmental affairs folks were at this very fun and political event. During the summer, everybody and their brother, or at least everyone who ever won a 4-H speaking contest, entered the race for the Republican nomination for President. There must be 20 people running against Donald Trump for the GOP nomination. This is just what Trump was hoping for. It splinters the anti-Trump vote to such a degree that it virtually assures him the nomination. During the summer, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that Alabama’s Congressional districts were gerrymandered to keep Black voters from being able to elect a second Black Democrat to Congress. Alabama currently has six white Republican Congressmen and one Black Democratic Congresswoman, Terri Sewell. In July, former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin won a special election to fill a seat on the five-member Jefferson County Commission. His election was like manna from Heaven for the Jefferson County Republican Party. The commissioner, who departed this important seat, was a Republican. The commission had a three to two Republican majority. Therefore, it was an important election for the state’s largest and most important county. Mike Bolin had just retired from the Alabama Supreme Court after 18 years on the state’s high tribunal. He had been Probate Judge of Jefferson County for 16 years prior to his service on the Supreme Court. He only retired from the Supreme Court due to a state law that prevents judges from running for reelection after age 70. Bolin is Jefferson County through and through and one of the most respected gentlemen and public servants in Jefferson County and Alabama. The imperial county of Jefferson is fortunate that Judge Mike Bolin was available and ready to serve. His swearing-in ceremony occurred on a sweltering hot July 31. The large Jefferson County Courthouse commission chambers was overflowing. It was a congregation of who’s who of Jefferson County politics. Hope you had a good summer. Happy football season and happy Labor Day! 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.
Personnel update: ALFA taps Mitt Walker to lead Governmental, Ag programs department
The Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) announced that the organization has promoted Mitt Walker to serve as head of its Governmental and Agricultural Programs Department. Walker has worked for the federation for sixteen years and served as the department’s associate director. According to the press release, Walker will replace Brian Hardin, who became External Affairs Department director on December 7. Former External Affairs Director Matthew Durdin transitioned to the Organization Department following the retirement of longtime director Mike Tidwell. Walker thanked the federation and previous director Brian Hardin. “I am thankful for the opportunity to lead this great team and appreciate the strong foundation left behind by our previous director, Brian Hardin,” said Walker. “This department exists to serve the farmer-members of this organization through promotion of their products, providing educational opportunities, being their voice in Washington, D.C. and ultimately doing everything we can to improve their bottom line.” Walker, a Troy University graduate, began his career at the federation in June 2005, working as director of the Catfish and Meat Goat and Sheep divisions. Six years later, he was named director of the national legislative programs director. Before joining ALFA worked for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Federation executive director Paul Pinyan expressed thanks to Walker’s success in helping Alabama farmers. “I am confident he will continue to help farmers be more successful through the Federation’s commodity divisions, producer-funded checkoffs, affiliated organizations, and representation in Washington, D.C.,” said Pinyan. “We are thankful to have exceptional leaders such as Mitt on the Federation Management Team. They share a passion for serving our members, strengthening agriculture, and improving the quality of life for rural Alabamians.” Walker and his wife, Brandi, have three children, Olivia, Addi Leigh, and Ford. Mitt and his family live in Montgomery.
