Major GOP donor produces anti-Luther Strange ad in Senate race
A political committee connected to a big-time Alabama GOP donor will roll out an online and TV ad this week attacking Luther Strange in the final weeks of the primary race for the seat he now occupies. First reported by POLITICO, the Stan Pate-backed Swamp Drainers PAC produced an ad calling into question Strange’s appointment to the seat by former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, who resigned amid controversy in April. The 17-second spot asserts then-Alabama Attorney General Strange was appointed by Bentley in exchange for his office dropping an investigation into the scandal-plagued governor. “Vote No! To Shady Big Luther Strange,” the ad reads. The Tuscaloosa real estate developer, announced his political committee at the end of June and made clear he would use it against Strange, who is running in a special election to keep his senate seat. Pate did not say how much money the committee plans to spend on the ads, which will begin airing this week. Strange is running in a crowded special Republican Primary for the seat, with his main competition coming from former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore and CD 5 U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks. The primary election is set for Aug. 15. A primary runoff, if necessary, will be Sept. 26 and the general election is scheduled for Dec. 12. The winner of the general election will serve out the remainder of former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions’ term, which runs through Jan. 2021.
Where’s Rebekah Mason when the Luv Gov needs her?
I remember watching the train wreck that was Governor Robert Bentley‘s March press conference about his then-alleged but now confirmed affair with Rebekah Mason and thinking this has to be the worst decision by a principle and communications team I’ve ever seen. I wondered why no one stopped him. He’s a small man and his security detail would probably have turned a blind eye to someone tackling him and not letting him to the podium. I mean we’ve all heard how some on the detail had turned a blind eye to so many other of his and his staff’s indiscretions by that point. When the governor resigned and took his plea deal I thought/hoped that would be the end of our reminder of what a disappointment he ended up being to the Yellowhammer State. Then I came across a new t.v. interview published Tuesday by WVTV13 where our former, and now disgraced governor, talked about his political downfall and life out of office. Needless to say, his level of denial borders on clinical. My first thought when I read the AP headline, “After resigning in disgrace, Bentley gives himself high marks as Alabama’s governor,” was yet again — why didn’t someone stop him? Then I realized he doesn’t have anyone to stop him. For a brief moment I wished Mason was around to tell him what a bad idea any interview would be, let alone one he was clearly unprepared for. During the on-camera interview (though the camera is out of the room during some shots), Bentley said he was the “best governor” Alabama has ever had. Sadly, I’m not kidding. He actually said it. He then went on to say special interests are now running the state. Which leads me to believe he isn’t following the news. If he were, he’d probably know that Governor Kay Ivey has instituted new rules that prohibit lobbyists from serving on commissions and boards. She’s also gotten rid of some of the fluff he and his team created and her approval ratings are incredible. She has the 5th highest approval and the lowest disapproval of any governors. In the ill-fated interview Bentley talked about his popularity and said that everywhere he goes people want to shake his hand. Let me be clear, I have no desire to shake his hand or congratulate him for a job well done. As someone who tried to give him the benefit of doubt when the affair rumors first surfaced I just want to wag a finger at him and tell him what a disappointment he turned out to be in the end. He knew that he broke laws and abused his power in his attempt to cover up his affair and for months he denied it. To say he loves the state of Alabama and to claim he served it well is laughable. That said, there is a Bentley whose hand I would like to shake, Dianne Bentley‘s. I want to shake her hand, give her a hug, high five her and then buy her a bottle of wine. She remains one of the only players in the Robert Bentley saga that I hope doesn’t fade from sight. Her work as the first lady on domestic violence issues was incredible. Her actions in taping the governor and quietly filing for divorce — classic. I could go the rest of my life without being reminded of the opportunities that Governor Bentley wasted and missed. I could go the rest of my life without being reminded that he let so many down, betraying their trust and making the office of the governor. I could go the rest of my life and never need to hear his excuses and delusions about this being a witch hunt again. So if Rebekah Mason is still around, hanging onto a burner phone or two, or if there’s any communications professional in his circle of trust, would someone please give the former governor a call and, for the love of all that is holy, keep him from doing any more interviews and embarrassing himself and the state further.
Kay Ivey disbands several Bentley-era commissions, task forces, councils
Several task forces, councils and commissions created by the Robert Bentley administration were disbanded on Wednesday by Governor Kay Ivey. In signing Executive Order 3, Ivey did away with 18 task forces, councils and commissions including the Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming and the Grocery Tax Task Force. “I believe strongly that my role is to make decisions and lead, not kick the can down the road. I am choosing to tackle some of the issues that have previously been sent before a task force,” Ivey said of her decision. “I will work closely with members of the legislature in the days ahead to address the very important issues facing our state. She continued, “Since the first day I took office, I have been committed to efficiency in government, cutting bureaucratic red-tape, and saving tax-payer resources; removing these groups, many of which have either completed their work or have become inactive, is just a part of that process.” In May, Ivey and her legal team began to review established commissions and task forces to determine which ones were “needed and necessary.” Full list of disbanded groups: Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming (established Oct. 3, 2016) Alabama Commission on Improving State Government (established Jan. 25 2011) Alabama Consumer Credit Task Force (established June 14, 2016) Alabama Economic Development Alliance (established July 18, 2011) Alabama Forest Recovery Task Force (established May 5, 2011) Alabama Human Resources Task Force (established August 14, 2015) Alabama Health Care Improvement Task Force (established April 6, 2015) Alabama Health Insurance Exchange Study Commission (established June 2, 2011) Alabama Industrial Energy Advisory Team (established May 9, 2014) Alabama Medicaid Pharmacy Study Commission (established June 6, 2013) Alabama Small Business Advisory Council (established September 15, 2014) Alabama Solid Waste Management Task Force (established September 15, 2016) Governor’s Commission on Coastal Insurance (established April 6, 2011) Governor’s College and Career Ready Task Force (established January 15, 2013) Grocery Tax Task Force (established Feb. 21, 2017) Health Literacy Partnership (established April 20, 2016) Law Enforcement Stakeholder Task Force (established June 21, 2012) Tax Exemption Advisory Council (established August 19, 2015)
Alabama Trump Victory calls out Mo Brooks ‘false’ claim of support
Alabama Trump Victory has something to say about U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks’ claim he ‘supported’ candidate Donald Trump in 2016: “That dog doesn’t hunt.” A recent ad from the Senate Leadership Fund blasted the “career” congressman for refusing to endorse Trump during the GOP primary, “They all attack Donald Trump, trying to stop him,” the narrator says, quoting Brooks in March 2016 when he told MSNBC: “I don’t think you can trust Donald Trump with anything he says.” The 30-second ad repeats the quote twice more. Brooks – the Huntsville Republican seeking the U.S. Senate seat to finish the term of now-Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ – quickly backtracked, saying the ad is taking him out of context. As proof of his support of the president, he offered a copy of a $2,500 check to the Alabama Republican Party for get-out-the-vote efforts. That “support’ is simply not true, says Alabama Trump Victory Chair Perry O. Hooper Jr. “Congressman Brooks’ claim that he supported Donald Trump in the general election is a flat-out lie,” Hooper said in a statement Thursday. “Not only did Congressman Brooks go on a radio show in October refusing to endorse Donald Trump, he actually refused to answer the question of who he planned on voting for in the election.” Hooper pointed out that in November, Brooks told a newspaper in North Carolina – a crucial swing state — that Trump was “not well suited for office,” calling the choice between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton “the lesser of two evils.” In the GOP primary, Brooks is one in a crowded 10-person field that includes incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, the former Alabama Attorney General, who had been appointed to the seat in February by then-Gov. Robert Bentley. Hooper concluded: “Additionally, I am proud to confirm that Luther Strange was all in for Donald Trump in my successful efforts to help Mr. Trump win in Pennsylvania and Ohio.” If one person does not reach 50 percent plus one in the Aug. 15 primary, the top two vote-getters will face a runoff Sept. 26; the general election is Dec. 12.
Kay Ivey informally dissolves Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming
Gov. Kay Ivey is shutting down the Alabama Advisory Council on Gaming. Established in 2016 by then-Gov. Robert Bentley, the 11-member committee was to examine the impact of distinct types of gambling on state revenue. But since the board has not held a meeting in over four months, several sources have told the Alabama Political Reporter that Ivey has “unofficially” dismantled the Council. “It was my understanding that it died when Ivey came in,” one person said. “The work was done, all that was left was writing the report. And the report wasn’t far from being completed.” Council Chair Clinton Carter, Alabama’s state finance director, had been compiling a comprehensive report, when Ivey’s office informed him that the governor had no further interest in the report. During the board’s brief existence, members — comprised of both pro- and anti-gaming lawmakers — heard several presentations from a variety of experts such as casino owners, law enforcement and lottery directors from Louisiana and Connecticut, as well as gambling opponents. While there has not been a dollar figure on travel and other costs related to the committee’s meetings, the Reporter estimates it could be in the thousands. Bentley asked the Council to offer a list of facts for lawmakers to use in determining the future of gambling in Alabama. Carter’s report would not have recommended any choice of action for the state, simply listing pros and cons on revenue and other factors. “For example, if we just did a lottery, here’s what it would mean for revenues, the laws that could change, the effect on several entities, etc.,” another person told the Reporter. “There were too many different opinions on gaming for the committee to reach a conclusion that everyone agreed on.” One common attitude among committee members was to allow Alabama citizens to vote on gaming in one, or many, forms. “The only discussion on the committee was about making sure we gave voters clear and complete information,” another person said.
Steve Flowers: A midyear review of Alabama politics
As we take a midyear look at Alabama politics, it has been an eventful first half of the year. It is not every year that a governor resigns midterm. Gov. Robert Bentley’s resignation from office April 10 will more than likely be the most newsworthy story of the year. Bentley’s saga had begun 18 months ago. His troubles stemmed from his relationship with his primary and probably only adviser, who was married to a quiet man whom Bentley placed in a vague $90,000 position with the state. It was a titillating story that led to an investigation and later finding by the State Ethics Commission that there was reasonable evidence that Bentley may have violated the law. Facing probable impeachment by the Legislature, Bentley resigned in disgrace. The most noteworthy event was the appointment of our Junior U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions to the powerful post of U.S. Attorney General. Sessions was one of President Donald Trump’s first Cabinet appointments. Sessions departure from the Senate seat left open his coveted post. In his waning days as governor, Bentley interviewed about 20 qualified candidates for the interim appointment. Bentley eventually appointed Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, a worthy choice. However, the appointment of Strange caused tremendous furor among Alabamians. A few months earlier, Strange stated he was investigating the Governor. The appointment of the Attorney General to the seat had the appearance of a brazen act of collusion between the Governor and Strange. Bentley resigned a month later and Strange went to Washington. Upon the resignation of Bentley, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey became the second female governor in state history. Ironically, Kay was a stalwart supporter and worked for our only other female governor, Lurleen Wallace, when she was in college over 50 years ago. Gov. Ivey has shown calm, deliberative and wise leadership in her first three months as governor. She has done a good job and steadily stuck to her knitting governing, rather than cutting ribbons. She inherited the ship of state in the middle of a legislative session. She stayed in close contact with the Senate leadership and brought the session to a successful landing. The legislative session could indeed be considered a success. Mac McCutcheon, a Republican Representative from Madison County, led his first regular session as Speaker. McCutchen is level headed and a natural facilitator. He is a retired police officer from Huntsville, who worked as a hostage negotiator. He seems fair and runs a more open and egalitarian House than former Speaker Mike Hubbard. Any legislative session could be considered successful when both budgets are passed. The $1.8 billion General Fund budget passed early due to a one-time influx of $105 million from the BP oil spill settlement. The beleaguered General Fund will be much harder to balance next year, which will be an election year. For the eighth straight year, state workers got no increase in pay. Even though the Education Trust Fund budget grew by $90 million, teachers also get no pay increase. The $6.4 billion Education budget did include a 20 percent increase in pre-kindergarten funding. The Legislature abolished judicial override in death penalty cases, voted to require insurers to extend coverage to autism therapies, and ended the ban on midwifery in Alabama. They chose not to address the prison overcrowding issue. However, this may be a prudent call. It may be wiser to wait until the federal courts decree what they want from the state. This could be a paramount issue that requires a Special Session. The Republican majority ramrodded a reapportionment plan through the Senate and House over adamant disapproval of black Democrats. The final authority on whether it will stand rests with the federal courts. Until this is decided, there is a cloud over the upcoming legislative races. Republican legislators may have overplayed their hand this time. A federal judge may send Alabama’s demographics to a computer in New York to draw the lines and several of them may find themselves in the same districts several counties away. 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.
Steve Flowers: Questionable political appointments nothing new
In Alabama politics, many times appointments to political offices filled by an acting governor have an adverse effect on that appointee if and when they seek election to that office for a full term. Every time George Wallace appointed someone to a political post, even in the prime of his popularity and power, they invariably lost in the next election. Well folks, ole Dr. Bentley ain’t George Wallace and his appointment of Luther Strange to the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions may come back to haunt Big Luther. His appointment is even more problematic due to the appearance of collusion surrounding the appointment. The taint of the Bentley appointment hovers over Big Luther’s tall head in Washington. Lyndon Johnson had a similar cloud over his head when he arrived in the U.S. Senate in 1948. It was known that he had stolen the Texas Senate seat when he arrived. When that U.S. Senate seat came open, he made the decision to roll the dice and go for broke. Lyndon did not know that the legendary governor, Coke Stevenson, would enter the race Coke Stevenson was a legendary Texas icon. He was the epitome of a Texas gentleman and revered. He was Texas’ Horatio Alger and Davy Crockett combined. He raised himself from age 12, built a ranching empire, was Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and a very popular Governor of Texas. Stevenson was above reproach. He would not lie, steal or cheat and Texans knew that about old Coke. On the other hand, Lyndon Johnson had already earned the reputation in Texas that he would continue to earn in Washington — he would do whatever it took to win. He was totally corrupt and ruthless without any semblance of a conscience. Johnson applied modern day politics to that era. He introduced polling and what it meant in detail. He even used a helicopter to fly from town-to-town and land on court squares to speak and shake hands, but mostly he used negative and false campaign mailings to attempt to destroy Stevenson’s stellar reputation. Stevenson was from a different era. He refused to go negative and would not reply to any negative accusations no matter how maliciously false. Johnson was able to utilize this massive media blitz because he had more campaign funds than any candidate in Texas history. He had unlimited financial backing from the giant Brown and Root Company of Texas, which is now Halliburton Corporation. They were then, as they are now, the recipients of gigantic government construction contracts. Johnson was their boy and would do their bidding as their senator so they poured money into the race like water. Johnson outspent Stevenson 10-1, but it was not enough. When the votes were counted on election night, Stevenson had won by a narrow margin. However, the election was not over; Stevenson was about to be counted out. The Rio Grande Valley along the Texas and Mexican border was known as the region where votes could be bought. Most close elections were decided in these counties, which would come in days after the original count with just the right number of votes needed to win the election. This is how Johnson won by only 87 votes in a race where over 1 million votes were cast. Johnson became known as “Landslide Lyndon” in Washington because of this 87-vote victory. It was also an allusion to how he had stolen the seat. Some people think that the nickname “Landslide Lyndon” stems from Johnson’s landslide victory over Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential race, but it was actually from the 1948 Texas Senate race. A legendary tale that is attributed to Johnson in this infamous race claims that in the days following the election, while garnering enough votes for victory, Johnson and the political bosses of the Valley counties were going through cemeteries and taking names of dead Mexicans off the tombstones to register voters. They could not decipher one of the names and asked Lyndon what to do, Johnson quickly replied, “Give him a name, he’s got as much right to vote as the rest of them in this cemetery.” 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.
Alabama unemployment rate drops to lowest level since 2008
Alabama’s unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since 2008 as the number of people with jobs grew, officials said Friday. The unemployment rate fell to 4.9 percent in May, down from 5.4 percent last month, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced at a Capitol news conference. Despite the improvement, Alabama continues to struggle with one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. The new level would have allowed Ivey’s predecessor, former Gov. Robert Bentley, to take a salary for the first time, had he stayed in office. Bentley made a 2010 campaign promise to forgo a paycheck until Alabama returned to “full unemployment,” a figure he defined as 5.2 percent. In six years in office, Bentley never collected a paycheck as the state struggled to shake off the impact of the great recession. Ivey became governor in April when Bentley resigned amid a push to impeach him over ethics allegations. Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington said the state added 13,100 jobs in May, with nearly half of those coming in the leisure and hospitality sector. He said growing employment is a sign of increased confidence in the economy. “Fifty thousand more people have jobs now than they did last year,” Washington said. The state continued to see a wide disparity in the unemployment rates between counties. Shelby County had the lowest unemployment rate: 3.1 percent. Wilcox County had the highest: 10.9 percent. Alabama continues to struggle with higher unemployment than most other states. Only 11 states in May had unemployment rates that were the same, or worse, than Alabama’s, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The nationwide unemployment rate is at a 16-year low of 4.3 percent. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Steve Flowers: Sorting out ‘unforeseens’ in Alabama Governor’s race
Those of us who follow Alabama politics had circled June 6, 2017, as the beginning of the 2018 governor’s race. However, we did not foresee Donald Trump’s election as President in November and the subsequent appointment of our U.S. Senator, Jeff Sessions, as his Attorney General, thus, opening a U.S. Senate seat and causing the need for an unanticipated special election for the open Senate seat this year. Therefore, the race for Sessions’ Senate seat will dominate the political news for at least the next three months. This Senate seat race has pushed back the timetable for gubernatorial aspirants by about three months. The thoroughbreds who might enter the Derby for the Brass Ring of Alabama politics probably have the luxury of waiting until Labor Day or maybe after the Sept. 26 GOP runoff for U.S. Senator. However, they do need to declare by Oct. 1, because qualifying will begin in late November for next year’s June 5 Primary. Also, we did not anticipate the resignation of Gov. Robert Bentley April 10 and the ultimate elevation of Lt. Gov., Kay Ivey, to Governor. Kay Ivey has been governor for less than three months; however, she has taken to the post like a “duck to water.” She has been deliberative and decisive and looks very gubernatorial. She is slowly putting her people into Cabinet posts. Enterprise Mayor, Ken Boswell, is a good choice for ADECA Director. This is a prime post as it doles out all the Federal grants that come to the state for infrastructure projects. She has named Christopher Blankenship acting Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources. She has removed Serve Alabama Director Jon Mason, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary, Stan Stabler. Her two closest advisors throughout her career have been Steve Pelham and Will Sellers. She has brought Pelham with her as her Chief of Staff. She has appointed Will Sellers to a vacant seat on the state Supreme Court. Pelham will be the most important person in state government for at least 18 months. These unforeseen events have changed the political landscape dramatically when it comes to the 2018 governor’s race. This time last year, Roy Moore and Luther Strange were two of the lead horses for governor. They are now the two frontrunners for the open Senate seat. Win or lose they are removed from the governor’s race. Kay Ivey’s elevation to governor has made her the favorite at this time. However, as this past year’s events reveal, a lot can change in a year’s time. As we assess the field with less than a year to the finish line, Kay Ivey is the linchpin of the race. She is the incumbent. She has good name identification and her age, 72, is an advantage and not a disadvantage. She looks like your grandmother. That sells better than young and glamorous, especially among female voters. They can identify and feel comfortable with Kay. Currently, Kay is in the proverbial catbird’s seat. The million-dollar question is does Kay really want to run for a full four-year term. If she were to ask me as a friend, I would tell her no. If I were her, I would not want to go through the rigors of a yearlong campaign. She can go to the house and proudly say that she was Governor of Alabama. A 20-month tenure as governor is not an insignificant amount of time. There are four significant thoroughbreds in the race, regardless of Ivey’s intentions. PSC President, Twinkle Cavanaugh, 50, is popular and well positioned. She has won three statewide races. Agriculture Commissioner, John McMillan, 75, has been at his important post for eight years. He has done an exemplary job. However, he cannot run again. He is well-liked. Huntsville Mayor, Tommy Battle, 61, will be a player in the governor’s race. He is the popular Mayor of Alabama’s economic crown jewel. Jefferson County Commissioner, David Carrington, 69, could be a factor. He has some name recognition from being seen often in the all-important Birmingham media market. If he gets strong support from the Birmingham suburbs, he could be a dark horse. Birmingham-based evangelist, Scott Dawson, 49, might catch fire. Tuscaloosa’s popular young mayor, Walt Maddox, may make the gubernatorial plunge as a Democrat. We will see. 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.
House Freedom Caucus endorses Mo Brooks for U.S. Senate
North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Meadows, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus, is endorsing Congressman Mo Brooks in Alabama’s U.S. Senate Special Election. Breitbart News is reporting on an email sent this week by Brooks’ campaign touting Meadows’ support: “Mo Brooks is a fighter. He has the most conservative voting record in the Alabama congressional delegation. He’s got an A-rating from Numbers USA and the NRA. He has proven himself to be a proven constitutional conservative in the mold of Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, Rand Paul and Ben Sasse.” “We need more like him in the Senate,” Meadows said, adding: “Mo is a battle-tested conservative who is committed to restoring America’s greatness … “The establishment sees Mo as a real threat. They would like nothing better than to see Mo defeated and they’re pulling out all the stops to make sure he doesn’t win … “The road our country has been on these last several years is simply not sustainable. We need conservatives who will go to the Senate and be a part of the fight–not part of the club.” “I’m all in to help Mo Brooks defeat the DC establishment and send him to the Senate. I hope you are too,” the email concludes. Jeff Sessions previously held the Senate seat, before becoming U.S. Attorney General. Then-Gov. Robert Bentley appointed former Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, with newly named Gov. Kay Ivey announcing an Aug. 15 primary, with a general election Dec. 12. Nine other Republicans are in the running, including incumbent Strange, former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, State Sen. Trip Pittman, and Christian Coalition head Randy Brinson. Democratic candidates include former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones. If there is no majority winner in the Aug. 15 primary, a runoff will be Sept. 26. The winner of the Republican primary will likely win the general election, given the state’s electoral history.
Steve Flowers: Lay of the land in U.S. Senate sprint
As the race for our open U.S. Senate seat begins, let’s look at the lay of the land. First-of-all it will be a sprint. The race is upon us with the primaries August 15 and the run-off six weeks later September 26. The Republican primary victor will be coronated December 12. We, in the Heart of Dixie, are a one-party state when it comes to major statewide offices. Winning the GOP primary is tantamount to election. Therefore, our new senator will probably be elected September 26. With 10 Republicans in the race, it will be highly unlikely that anybody could win without a run-off, so the initial goal is to make the run-off. There are amazingly 19 total candidates who qualified. You can write the 8 Democrats off as irrelevant because a Democrat cannot win in Alabama. With 11 Republicans running, it appears to be a crowded race. However, 6 of the 11 are “run for the fun of it” qualifiers. Therefore, even though the field has a lot of horses, there are only 5 of the 19 who could be considered thoroughbreds and probably only 3 who have a viable chance to win. Former Chief Justice Roy Moore and former State Attorney General and Robert Bentley appointee to the Senate, Luther Strange, are more than likely headed to a Republican run-off. Huntsville and Tennessee Valley Congressman Mo Brooks has the best chance to challenge for a run-off spot. Initial polling has Roy Moore at 30 percent, Luther Strange at 14 percent and Mo Brooks at 7 percent. Roy Moore’s removal from his post as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by some vague Judicial Inquiry Commission for being against gay marriage has made him a hero and martyr among Alabama’s conservative and religious voters. There is a pent-up desire to right a wrong among the Alabama people. It is obviously showing up in the polling, but it could be illuminated and result in a higher than anticipated 30 percent. Polls are a picture of the total pool of voters. However, the final poll and the one that really matters is who actually shows up to vote August 15. Roy Moore’s folks will be there, they are ardent and mad. They will not be at the lake or the beach. In fact, if there is an extremely low turnout, Moore could conceivably win without a run-off. It is unlikely that occurs. However, he more than likely finishes first and has a spot in the run-off. Luther Strange will be fighting to hold on to the other spot in the Sept. 26 final dance. He will more than likely prevail in his quest to get into the run-off and keep the seat. Luther will have $10 million of Washington establishment super PAC ammunition at his disposal. It is hard to overcome that kind of money. It is the mother’s milk of politics. Luther is banking on the fact that most U.S. Senate seats are bought by special interest money. Folks, $10 million washes a lot of taint away from the Bentley to Luther deal. It looks inevitable that Roy Moore and Luther Strange will be in a run-off and the prevailing opinion is that Moore cannot get over 50 percent. However, polling indicates that neither Moore nor Strange can get over 50 percent. They both have a large base of detractors. This race was ripe to be won by an outside rich man who could spend $10 million of their own money. “Yella Fella” Jimmy Rane walked away from a U.S. Senate seat that was his for the taking. Congressman Mo Brooks has the best chance to knock Strange out of the run-off. He starts off with a base of support in the Tennessee Valley and $1.2 million in his federal war chest. If he were to raise $3 million, he would probably beat Luther and ultimately would probably beat Moore. Brooks is to the right of Attila the Hun and belongs to a right-wing congressional group known as the Freedom Caucus. There are some very rich right-wing zealots around the country who give to Freedom Caucus candidates. They may load ole’ Mo up and teach the Elitist Establishment Mitch McConnell crowd a lesson. If state Sen. Trip Pittman, from Baldwin County, could raise $5 million he could sell. He is the only serious candidate from the vote-rich Baldwin/Mobile area. Dr. Randy Brinson has the perfect background, narrative and family values story. However, like Pittman, he needs $5 million to tell his story. We will see. 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.
Perry Hooper Jr. declines U.S. Senate run, backs Luther Strange
Former state Rep. Perry Hooper Jr. will not run in the special election for U.S. Senate. Instead, Hooper, who served as Alabama co-chair of Donald Trump‘s campaign, is endorsing current Sen. Luther Strange. According to AL.com, the Montgomery Republican had sought the appointment by then-Gov. Robert Bentley to succeed Jeff Sessions after he became Trump’s Attorney General. In the end, Bentley chose Strange, Alabama’s attorney general at the time. Hooper held a news conference on the Capitol steps in Montgomery Wednesday morning, where he explained that he made the decision not to enter the race last week. While all the candidates in the race would make “competent” senators, Hooper said Strange was the best to put forward Trump’s agenda. “We need a strong conservative in Washington who will take up the mantle of Jeff Sessions and support the Trump agenda,” Hooper told reporters. “Every vote Sen. Strange has cast is exactly how Jeff Sessions would have voted.” Hooper is endorsing Strange based on his vote to confirm Neil Gorsuch for the U.S. Supreme Court and his Strange’s support of a bill to cut funding to sanctuary cities, using that money to build Trump’s wall on the country’s southern border. He added: “He has assured me that he will be a strong Trump floor leader in repealing and replacing Obamacare, cutting taxes on working Americans, reducing regulations that are stifling economy, rebuilding our border military and ensuring our border security.” Watch Hooper’s endorsement below:
