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.
First Senate Leadership Fund ad touts Luther Strange as strong Alabama conservative
Luther Strange is the beneficiary of Senate Leadership Fund’s first TV ad, which began running Tuesday in Alabama’s U.S. Senate special election. The 30-second ad portrays the incumbent GOP senator, who previously served as Alabama Attorney General, as a conservative with a strong record on religious liberty, gun rights and fighting illegal immigration. “When Barack Obama launched an assault on our religious freedoms, Big Luther Strange said, ‘no way,”‘ the ad’s narrator says. “He stood up to Obama’s illegal amnesty plan too. And fought for our Second Amendment rights, earning Big Luther an A+ rating and an endorsement from the NRA.’” Senate Leadership Fund is connected to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; the group purchased a $2.4 million in ad time on Alabama television and radio stations in Birmingham and Mobile from June 13 to June 27. Ads are set to run through the day of the Aug. 15 special election primary. Strange’s most arduous challenges in the GOP primary — U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks and former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore — have also pushed their hard-line conservative social positions. But as POLITICO noted last month: “It doesn’t hurt that Strange is polished, predictable and low-key, in addition to having existing relationships with many Republicans from the South.” If there is no clear winner Aug. 15, a runoff will be Sept. 26. The special election is Dec. 12.
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.
Former state senator, GOP Chairman to run Roy Moore’s Senate campaign
Former Alabama Chief Justice and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore has tapped Bill Armistead to serve as his campaign manager. Armistead is no stranger to Alabama politics. Most recently, he served as the Alabama Republican Party Chairman from 2011 to 2015. Prior to that he had served two terms as a state senator from 1994 to 2002. He was also the Republican nominee for Lt. Governor in 2002. “I am honored to have Bill Armistead serving as my Campaign Chairman,” said Moore on Facebook. “I have known Bill for over 25 years and know him to be an ethical leader of our party who consistently stands up for our shared conservative values. Bill will help us engage the real people of Alabama who are frustrated by establishment politics in Washington and want a Senator who will be their voice.” Under Armistead’s leadership, the Republican Party increased its majorities in the state legislature winning every statewide office and made record gains at the local level. “Judge Roy Moore will be the next United States Senator from Alabama, and I am proud to offer my endorsement and support. I encourage all my friends across the state to join the campaign today by visiting judgemooreforsenate.com or on Facebook @JudgeRoyMoore,” Armistead said in a press release. He continued, “Judge Moore has stood up for conservative values his whole career, often in the face of so-called, bi-partisan adversaries, and this campaign will be no different. The Washington establishment has made it clear that they want to hand-pick the next Senator from Alabama, but I have every confidence that voters in Alabama will stand with Judge Roy Moore on August 15th and send a proven fighter and tested outsider to Washington to shake up the status quo and support President Donald Trump in draining the swamp.” Moore will face nine Republican challengers in the August 15 primary.
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.
Steve Flowers: Sizing up the U.S. Senate sprint
Well, folks, the field is set for the sprint to fill the open U.S. Senate seat of Jeff Sessions. The primary Aug. 15 is less than three months away. There will probably be a run-off Sept. 26, and the winner of that GOP run-off will be our Junior Senator from Alabama. In the Heart of Dixie, winning the Republican nomination is tantamount to election. The Dec. 12 General Election will be a coronation for the winner of the Sept. 26 Republican primary. It was an interesting closing day of qualifying Wednesday. It was unbelievable how many people showed up to qualify. Eleven candidates are running in the Republican primary and amazingly, the Democrats fielded eight candidates. It was like ants coming out of the woodwork. It was similar to our olden days of Alabama politics when everybody and their brother ran for an open governor’s race or a seldom seen open Senate race. We ought to refer to this race as an ant race rather than a horse race. Of the 19 candidates, only about five are viable contenders. Therefore, about 14 of these folks are running for the fun of it. In fact, we use to refer to them as “run for the fun of it” candidates. The most colorful run for the fun of it candidate in Alabama political history was Ralph “Shorty” Price. Shorty ran for governor every four years. He usually finished last. His slogan was smoke Tampa Nugget cigars, drink Budweiser beer and vote for Shorty Price. His campaign platform declared that he would change the term of governor from four years to two years. He would say if you are not smart enough to steal enough as governor in two years, you ain’t smart enough to be governor. My guess is that if someone put Shorty’s name on this Aug. 15 ballot, he would run sixth out of the 12-person GOP field, posthumously. He would probably win the Democratic nomination from the grave. The party leaders were probably glad to see them all show up. The raked in $3,400 a pop from each qualifier. You wonder what motivates those also-ran candidates to put their names on the ballot. Maybe they just want to see their name on the ballot, maybe their Aunt Susie left them $5,000 with the stipulation that they had to use it to run for the U.S. Senate, or they want to tell their grandchildren one day that they ran for the U.S. Senate. They can omit that they ran 11th. Maybe they won a 4-H speaking contest when they were in school and figured their destiny was to be a U.S. Senator. It is similar to someone trying to walk on to Bear Bryant’s or Nick Saban’s football team, and Bryant or Saban grants them permission to get a uniform if only for a day and try out. That bold soul who had to be hit by John Hannah like a tackling dummy can truthfully say to their grandson, “I played football at Alabama for Bear Bryant.” Actually, Alabama’s Sixth Congressional Jefferson/Shelby U.S. Representative, Gary Palmer, was elected to Congress by his doing the above thing while in college at Alabama. Some people suspect that his saying he played for Bear Bryant helped propel him to victory when he was elected a few years ago. Well, let’s give them just due and list them for you. I will list them in order of how I would handicap the field as the race for the Republican nomination begins. The two frontrunners are Roy Moore, followed by Luther Strange. Congressman Mo Brooks is within striking distance of Big Luther. State Senator Trip Pittman and Dr. Randy Brinson could be players if they come up with $5 million to spend on the race. Right now, they are unknown to more than 95 percent of the electorate. If Mo Brooks can raise and spend $3 million, or if Brinson or Pittman can pony up $5 million, one of these three could probably knock Luther out of the run-off. Roy Moore is in the run-off – he leads the crowded field. These six brave souls are in for the fun of it. Hopefully, their next-door neighbor or grandmother will vote for them, James Paul Baretta, Joseph Breault, Dom Gentile, Karen Jackson, Mary Maxwell and Bryan Peeples. Enjoy the race. I will keep you posted. Next week I will analyze and handicap the race in-depth. 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.
Del Marsh not running for U.S. Senate seat
State Sen. Del Marsh will not be seeking the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Marsh, an Anniston Republican, has served as Alabama Senate President Pro Tem since 2010. Currently in the race for the Republican nomination are Sen. Luther Strange, who had been appointed by former Gov. Robert Bentley in February, Huntsville Congressman Mo Brooks, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, state Rep. Ed Henry of Hartselle, Christian Coalition of Alabama President Randy Brinson, Dominic Gentile and Birmingham business executive Bryan Peeples. AL.com is reporting that 5 p.m. today is the deadline for candidates enter the special election for U.S. Senator. The Republican primary is Aug. 15. According to the Alabama Republican Party, also qualifying for the race are Mary Maxwell and Joseph F. Breault. Democratic candidates include Michael Hansen of the environmental advocacy group Gasp; former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones; Mobile resident Robert Kennedy Jr.; and Orange Beach’s Jason Fisher, who serves as vice president of direct marketing firm Ruffalo Noel-Levitz. Today’s announcement puts end to speculation Marsh would enter the race. Earlier this month, Marsh met with members of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “I don’t consider Gov. Bentley’s hand-chosen senator to be the incumbent,” Marsh told NRSC officials. “I think the people will choose that in an election cycle.”
Steve Flowers: Looking at the thoroughbreds in governor’s derby
The race for our open U.S. Senate seat will be the marquee political event for the remainder of this year. It will be a great show. However, we have a sensational and pivotal 2018 governor’s race evolving simultaneously. This much-anticipated gubernatorial derby will be affected by the preliminary Senate horse race. The political landscape has changed dramatically with the decisive move by new Governor Kay Ivey to call for the election of Jeff Sessions’ successor to the Senate this year. Unlike in olden days where running a preliminary statewide race was a steppingstone to getting elected four years later, in recent years, losing statewide is not good — especially if that loss has occurred within less than six months. Therefore, three or more thoroughbreds are removed from the governor’s race. One will be in the Senate and the other two will be exiled to Buck’s Pocket and will not be players in the governor’s race. You can remove Roy Moore, Luther Strange and any unknown wealthy person, who can and will spend 5 to 10 million dollars of their own money. This unknown rich man will either be Senator or gone from the scene. Roy Moore’s removal from the governor’s race is the most significant change to the gubernatorial track. His evangelical base, which probably accounts for 20-30 percent of a GOP primary vote, will be splintered among the field. As I peruse the horses grazing in the pasture, let’s take a look at them because the race begins in less than a month, with fundraising for the June 2018 primaries beginning June 6. Before I mention some horses, who look to be front-runners, let me say that most of these folks ain’t ponies. Kay Ivey is 72. She would have probably gone out to pasture had she not become governor. With 18 months as governor she begins to look very gubernatorial. If she decides to run, she will be running as the incumbent and will be a viable horse, if not the front-runner. Huntsville Mayor, Tommy Battle, 61, is going to be a player in this race. He has done an exemplary job as mayor of Alabama’s most important and successful city. Folks, if we did not have Huntsville, we would be last in everything. Battle is popular in his neck of the woods and will come out of the Tennessee Valley with a good many votes. The “Yella Fella,” Jimmy Rane, 70, may make the race for governor. He is a successful businessman worth $600 million, according to Forbes Magazine. His business success has not gone to his head. He is and would come across as a “good ole guy.” Jack Hawkins, the 72-year-old Chancellor of the Troy University System, would be the best-qualified person to be governor. If you put his resume into a merit system roster, the computer would print out his name. He would also be an attractive candidate. Besides building and presiding over a university system for 30 years, he is tall, handsome, and very articulate and exudes honesty and integrity. He would also be the only Marine in the race. David Carrington, 69, is a Jefferson County Commissioner and successful businessman. He could garner significant support from the Birmingham business community. He also should have some name identification from being seen on Birmingham television for six years. John McMillan, 75, is one of the best-liked and successful statewide officeholders in Alabama. He has had a stellar eight-year reign as Agriculture Commissioner. John is a native of Baldwin County, which is one of Alabama’s fastest growing and largest Republican counties. If there is a large field, a strong vote in his home county could catapult him into a runoff. What about the other statewide officeholders? Twinkle Cavanaugh and John Merrill are younger than the aforementioned horses. At 50, they could sit out this race and come back either four or eight years later. Most observers expect Twinkle to run for Lt. Governor. She would be a favorite in that race. John Merrill probably stays another term as Secretary of State, which is prudent. If he and Twinkle bide their time, they would be the front-runners for governor next time around. Two older horses in secondary statewide office are question marks. Young Boozer, 68, is term-limited from running again for Treasurer. He is mum on his plans. State Auditor Jim Ziegler, 68, has garnered a lot of press the last few years from that benign office. Folks would be wise to not underestimate him. However, his best race would be for Attorney General. He would enter as the favorite in that race. 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.
GOP super PAC plans $2.6 million in TV ads for Luther Strange
The Senate Leadership Fund on Monday reserved a $2.6 million television ad buy on behalf of U.S. Sen. Luther Strange of Alabama, bidding to ward off challengers for the seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The super political action committee, which has ties to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, made the show of fiscal force ahead of an August GOP primary on which Strange will face several challengers, including former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. Senate Leadership Fund spokesman Chris Pack told The Associated Press the buy is just the start of what the group plans on spending to support the Republican senator. The ads will start July 11 and run through the Aug. 15 primary. “A lot of people in glass houses are throwing stones in Alabama, and they will quickly realize that this won’t be going unanswered. This $2.65 million buy is just an initial down payment on Senate Leadership Fund’s commitment to supporting Senator Strange,” Pack said. Ever since a series of messy Republican primaries led to losses of winnable Senate races in 2010 and 2012, Republicans led by McConnell of Kentucky have worked aggressively to defeat fringe primary candidates in Senate races. Their goal has been to ensure that GOP Senate primaries produce mainstream Republican candidates who can go on to win the general election. The Senate Leadership Fund is run by a former McConnell chief of staff. The Alabama race is expected to be contentious. But the muscle flexing by the super PAC also sends a message that the challengers to Strange should prepare for a high-spending campaign. Strange was appointed to the Senate in February by then-Gov. Robert Bentley, who resigned last month amid fallout from an alleged affair with a top staffer. Bentley had planned for a 2018 Senate election, but new Gov. Kay Ivey, moved it up to this year, setting up what’s expected to be a four-month demolition derby among Alabama’s dominant Republicans. Bentley resigned to stop an impeachment push, pleading guilty to misdemeanor campaign finance violations to end a state investigation. Challengers are expected to try to batter Strange on his connection to Bentley, since Strange was state attorney general at the time of his Senate appointment. Three other Republicans have so far announced runs for the seat including Moore, who was suspended from his judicial duties after he urged defiance of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage. Party qualifying for the race runs until May 17. While Alabama has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in more than 20 years, a number of Democrats, including at least two state legislators, are considering running. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
U.S. Senate candidates Roy Moore, Luther Strange, Ed Henry report income, debt
Even through suspension, former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore had a decent payday last year, taking in $150,000, mostly through speaking engagements. Al.com is reporting that Moore was one of three Republican candidates seeking the U.S. Senate seat filed documents this month with the Alabama Ethics Commission. Also filing was Sen. Luther Strange, the former Attorney General who now holds the seat. Elected officials are required to report economic interests, detailing income and expenses. Moore, Strange and Hartsville Republican State Rep. Ed Henry each submitted ethics statements. Dr. Randy Brinson, former head of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, is not an elected official and therefore not required to file. Last month, Gov. Kay Ivey moved up the Senate special election primary for Aug. 15; the general election is Dec. 12. Records show Moore made $181,000 a year before his suspension over his defiance of a Supreme Court order on same–sex marriage. According to Al.com, Moore also listed speaking fees of between $50,000 — $150,000 in 2016 and Social Security income between $10,000 — $50,000. Moore’s wife, Kayla, earned a salary of between $10,000 — $50,000 from Nichols Construction. She also made over $10,000 last year as president of the Foundation for Moral Law, which Roy Moore once led. Moore has two bank debts of less than $25,000 each, and a credit union loan totaling between $150,000 and $250,000. As for Strange, he earned about $168,000 as Alabama Attorney General, and earns $174,000 a year as U.S. Senator. Strange’s wife holds a part–time job at the Alys Stephens Center at UAB — earning more than $10,000; $1,000–$10,000 in director’s fees from Oakworth Capital Bank; $1,000 — $10,000 in rental income from condominiums in North Carolina and Needle Rush Point in Pensacola; pension income of $10,000–$50,000; and investment income of $50,000–$150,000. Strange’s property in Lineville, North Carolina, has a listed value of $250,000, generating less than $10,000 in rental income. The senator’s debts include $150,000–$250,000 and mortgages between $150,000–$250,000. He also lists an individual or business debt of between $25,000. Al.com notes that Henry, as a state representative, is considered a part–time employee earning $42,830 annually. He reports interests in two businesses: My Practice 24 and Lightwire Solutions. Henry owns 50 percent of My Practice 24, a chronic care management system servicing physicians, and 30 percent of Lightwire, an information technology company in Decatur, each providing more than $10,000 in income. Henry’s debts include less than $25,000 each and mortgage debt of between $50,000–$100,000.
Kay Ivey appoints Lyn Stuart as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court
Following the resignation of suspended Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Roy Moore, Governor Kay Ivey appointed Acting Chief Justice Lyn Stuart to permanently lead the state’s highest court. Stuart is the first female Republican Chief Justice in the history of the State of Alabama. “To ensure a continuity of leadership and a smooth transition that keeps the ship of state steady, I have appointed Justice Lyn Stuart as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court,” Ivey said. “Chief Justice Stuart has served with honor and integrity on the high court for more than 16 years. I look forward to working with her as she now leads the judicial branch of state government.” A native of Atmore, Ala. Stuart received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University with high honor in 1977 and her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Alabama in 1980. Her legal career includes stints as an Assistant State Attorney General, Special Assistant Attorney General for the State Department of Corrections, and as an Assistant District Attorney for Baldwin County. Stuart was elected a District Judge in 1988 and again in 1994. In 1997 she was appointed a Circuit Court Judge and was elected to the position in 1998. Since then, she’s been elected to the state Supreme Court three times — in 2000, 2006 and 2012. Moore resigned from the bench on Wednesday upon announcing that he was going to run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became U.S. Attorney General. “I also thank Roy Moore for his years of public service to the people of Alabama and wish him the best in the next step of his journey,” Ivey concluded. Stuart’s appointment is effective immediately.
Suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore announces he will run for U.S. Senate
Suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore says he plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became U.S. Attorney General. Moore, who was suspended from the bench in September for encouraging probate judges to defy federal order and refuse marriage licenses to gay couples following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, made the announcement Wednesday afternoon on the steps of the State Capitol in Montgomery. There he told reporters he’s resigning from his position as the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court to seek the post.. “I’ll stand for the rights and liberties of the people,” Moore said. Moore, is the first and only justice to have ever been twice suspended from the state Supreme Court. On Wednesday, he aligned himself with President Donald Trump telling the crowd he wants to make America great again. “My position has always been God first, family then country. I share the vision of President Donald Trump to make America great again,” Moore remarked. “We can make America great again, we’ve got to make America good again.” The deadline for candidates to qualify for the Senate run is May 17. The primary vote is August 15. The special election is December 12.
