Trip Pittman nets $250K in Senate bid, ‘top-tier’ in Q2 fundraising
State Sen. Trip Pittman raised nearly $250,000 in the second quarter, putting him in the “top tier” of candidates in Alabama’s special election for the Senate seat currently held by Luther Strange. Pittman’s take included a personal loan of $50,000, reports AL.com, and shows he was “among the race’s thriftiest spenders up to the end of June, spending a little more than $30,000 on his campaign.” Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore and Huntsville Republican Congressman Mo Brooks each posted $300,000 in donations, while Strange raised $1.8 million in the second quarter. Roll Call reported recently on internal polling that puts Moore in the lead with 27 percent, Strange at 23 percent and Brooks at 21 percent. In a campaign statement, Pittman noted there was only a single donation from a PAC: The University of South Alabama. “The people of Alabama need someone with integrity,” said Pittman, who represents Montrose. “I am running to shake up Washington, not to be part of the problem. Alabama needs to select their next senator, not the Washington money crowd or a disgraced former governor. I am 100 percent committed to this race, and have no interest in any other elected office.” While Pittman touts a lack of PAC money in contributions to his Senate campaign, AL.com notes there were a significant number of lobbyists: Joseph Fine and Robert Geddie, of the Fine Geddie lobbying firm; Dax Swatek and Tim Howe, of the lobbying firm Swatek, Howe & Ross; Tom Coker, president of the lobbying firm Tom Coker & Associates and Michael Sullivan, owner of The Lobbyist Group. If one person does not reach 50 percent plus one in the Aug. 15 GOP primary, the top two vote-getters will face a runoff Sept. 26; the general election is Dec. 12.
Luther Strange dominates fundraising in Senate race
U.S. Sen. Luther Strange is outpacing his competition in fundraising heading into the final stretch before the special Republican Primary election for his senate seat. Strange, who was appointed to the seat by former Gov. Robert Bentley in February, raised $1.85 million in the second quarter for a total of $2.7 million raised so far in the special election cycle. The former Alabama Attorney General has also been on the receiving end of substantial support from a super PAC associated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. The second-quarter haul puts him far CD 5 Republican Rep. Mo Brooks, who reported $298,000 in fundraising over the past three months and had $1.3 million on hand July 1. The third major candidate running for the seat is former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore, who pulled in $305,000 over the three-month span. The vast majority of that money came in from small-dollar donors who gave $100 or less. Despite the money lead, Strange will likely have to win three elections to keep his seat. A recent poll indicates a tight race among the top three candidates, with Moore leading the crowded Republican Primary field with 31 percent support among GOP voters. Strange followed with 23 percent and Brooks had 21 percent support. Gov. Kay Ivey scheduled the primary election for Aug. 15, and if no candidate passes 50 percent in the election, a runoff between the top-two vote-getters is slated for Sept. 28. Strange seems to be focusing on Brooks, and has put some of his campaign money to use on mailers blasting the congressman for not supporting Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential primary, and for his criticism of Trump after he secured the GOP nomination. The winner of the November general election will serve at least until January 2021, which is the rest of the term U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions won in the 2014 election cycle.
Mo Brooks tops in Huntsville straw poll, Luther Strange at bottom
Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks came out on top in a straw poll of U.S. Senate candidates at a candidate forum Monday in his hometown of Huntsville. AL.com reports that nine candidates took part in the event organized by the Christian Citizen Task Force, with a bipartisan audience of about 300 people. Out of 200 votes cast for Republicans, Brooks took first with 101 votes. Former state Supreme Chief Justice Roy Moore came in second with 74 votes; state Sen. Trip Pittman of Montrose received eight votes. Incumbent Republican Sen. Luther Strange — who did not attend the event — tied for sixth with only three votes. Three Republicans — James Beretta, Joseph Breault and Dom Gentile — received no votes. Democrats cast about 40 votes; leading the count was Brian McGee, who took 19 votes. According to AL.com, the candidates attending the forum were Democrats Will Boyd, Vann Caldwell and McGee; Republicans Randy Brinson, Brooks, Mary Maxwell, Moore, Bryan Peeples and Pittman. Appointed to the Senate in February by then-Governor Robert Bentley, Strange is facing a crowded 10-person field for the Aug. 15 Republican primary. A primary runoff, if necessary, will be Sept. 26, with a general election Dec. 12.
Alabama’s GOP Senate hopefuls meet in Oxford for debate
The Calhoun County Republican Party hosted a candidate forum Tuesday night for the state’s GOP Senate hopefuls. Christian Coalition president Randy Brinson, Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, former Chief Justice Roy Moore and state Sen. Trip Pittman were all in attendance for the Oxford, Ala. debate. “We are honored to have the opportunity to host this event, as this is such an important election,” Calhoun County Republican Party Chairman James Bennett said. “This is a great accomplishment for our local party and for our community.” Moderated by radio personality Jay Holland, the debate featured panelists in diverse areas of expertise who queried the candidates throughout the evening, as they jockeyed for support from the crowd. Panelists included: Former Congressman Dr. Glen Browder Professor Emiratis Jacksonville State University. Lt Colonel Brian Reed, U.S. Army Retired, former faculty member West Point Dr. William Lester, Professor Political Science, Jacksonville State University, Fulbright Scholar and published author Larry Huff, Executive Editor of Yellowhammer News, statewide online publication Sen. Luther Strange, who was appointed to the seat in February following its vacancy when Jeff Sessions accepted the U.S. Attorney position, was invited to the forum but was unable to attend.
5 GOP Senate contenders appear at Vestavia Hills candidate forum
Five Republican Senate hopefuls appeared before the Mid-Alabama Republican Club for a meet-the-candidate event Saturday. As reported by AL.com, two of the leading candidates onstage — Congressman Mo Brooks and state Sen. Trip Pittman — took pains to point out their private sector experience in an attempt to distance themselves from the ‘career politician’ marker. “My primary source of income has always been in the private sector,” Brooks said, noting his law firm and time as general counsel for a distributor of roofing, siding, and windows, the largest in the nation. Brooks also referred to his ranking by conservative groups such as the anti-tax Club for Growth, Heritage Foundation and the immigration reduction group Numbers USA. “Every candidate talks the talk,” Brooks told the crowd. “It’s more important to walk the walk.” Brooks also pointed out a list of endorsements from conservative talk show hosts Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and Laura Ingraham, and his success in stopping the so-called Gang of Eight immigration reform effort in 2013. In an email this week, Brooks also received the endorsement of North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Meadows, chair of the House Freedom Caucus. Pittman’s started his business in 1988, as well as standing for the state’s Gulf Coast in Montgomery. After a plane crash a decade ago, Pittman turned to public service. “It’s been a great challenge,” Pittman said. “But we have been successful in what we’ve been able to do in moving Alabama forward.” Pittman also discussed his time as chair of the Senate Budget Committee. “I understand the process. The process is important,” Pittman said, adding that whoever wins the Special Election to replace former Sen. Jeff Sessions should someone “willing to take staunch philosophical positions. “This is the best opportunity you have to elect someone with good ideology,” he said. Also at the forum were Hoover businessperson Dom Gentile, Alabama Christian Coalition head Randy Brinson, and Pelham physician James Beretta. Candidates who did not attend Saturday’s forum are scheduled to visit the Mid-Alabama Republican Club’s next meeting July 8.
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.
Mary Anne Rippey: Lawmakers close to passing bill to release violent prisoners
During each Legislative Session, about 1,000 bills are introduced. Some get a lot of attention, while others pass with little fanfare but with the potential to have significant repercussions. SB 87, sponsored by state Sen. Trip Pittman (R-Baldwin Co.), sailed through the Senate with very little scrutiny. Then the House General Fund Committee quickly gave the legislation a unanimous favorable report, despite numerous crime victim advocates urging them to slow down. Now, SB 87 is on the agenda to receive a Floor vote in the House on Tuesday, May 2. You probably haven’t heard about SB 87. This bill is intended to reduce the amount Alabama spends on older, sick inmates. Apparently, Medicaid and Medicare dollars are not available for inmates who are in the custody of the Department of Corrections (DOC), and lawmakers would like to shift that expense to the federal government. In 2008, Alabama passed a Medical Furlough law with a similar goal in mind, but it seems it’s been rarely used, though it’s hard to say how often, as the Medical Furlough reports that DOC is required to file with the Alabama Sentencing Commission have never been submitted in an 8-year period. But we hear that less than a dozen Medical Furloughs occur each year. The current system by which an inmate gets a Medical Furlough lacks transparency. Basically, the DOC commissioner, another manager, and a doctor verify the inmate’s illness and sign off on his/her release. At one time the District Attorney who prosecuted the case had the opportunity to object, but that option was stripped away in 2015 Prison Reform legislation. Plus, DOC is mandated to notify the crime victim of the offender’s release, if convicted of certain violent offenses, but the victim doesn’t have the opportunity to object to the release either. Now that you know how this process has worked in the past, let’s address SB 87, which is up for a vote this week. In February, the bill started out as a revision to the existing Medical Furlough law. A few months ago, crime victim advocates were eager to be part of the solution, and we suggested sending these aged/infirmed inmates through the Alabama Parole Board process, which requires an open public meeting, notification of the victim 30 days in advance (for certain violent crimes), as well as notice to the District Attorney, Sheriff, and a few other public officials. Testimony can be heard on both sides, and then the three-member Parole Board makes a decision. It seemed like a better and more transparent process. I guess Sen. Pittman liked the “Medical Parole” concept too, as he and his team completely rewrote his “Medical Furlough” bill and substituted it in committee — but they didn’t share the legislation or seek input from the crime victims’ community, who have much to offer on this subject and who are significantly affected by the release of violent offenders. This is probably a good place to point out that more than 75 percent of Alabama inmates are incarcerated for violent offenses, and typically those violent offenders are the ones serving longer sentences. Therefore, the majority of inmates that will be affected by SB 87 are most likely violent offenders. Who are we prepared to release? What about Thomas Blanton, the 79-year-old inmate who was convicted of four murders and sentenced to life for bombing a Birmingham church in 1963 and killing four little girls and injuring others. Or shall we release 67-year-old Olin Grimsley, who was sentenced to life for his role in the brutal murder of Ella Foy Riley, a 68-year-old woman stabbed on her kitchen floor in Abbeville by two thugs looking for money (his co-defendant was executed in 2009). What about 62-year-old James Michael Hayes? He is serving a life sentence for the strangulation and murder of 18-year-old Regina Quarles in Tuscaloosa in 1978. He was also found guilty of attempted murder of a second woman, and pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a third woman. Then in 2012, he was connected to yet a fourth case and indicted of capital murder. Fortunately, in the House Budget Committee, SB 87 was amended to exclude sex offenders and capital murderers, but many other serious crimes are not excluded. Even California won’t release 82-year-old Charles Manson who’s had 12 chances at parole. Some criminals are simply so reprehensible that they should die in prison. While this bill isn’t necessarily intended to reduce prison population — medical expenses are the primary concern. Did you know our prison population has declined 10 percent in the past three years and is on a downward trajectory? We’ve gone from about 26,500 to roughly 23,500 inmates (mostly because of the Sentencing Guidelines of 2013), and currently, about 58 percent of the inmates considered for parole are being granted early release. If an inmate is denied parole, it is usually because he/she has not “earned” parole with their behavior in prison, or the crime was so heinous that parole is not yet appropriate, or their home plan (upon release) is not satisfactory. Ok, now that we have those details out of the way, let’s address some of our concerns about the pending Medical Parole legislation (SB 87): There are three ways to be considered for Medical Parole under SB 87: (1) if the inmate is terminally ill, (2) if he/she is permanently incapacitated, OR (3) if the inmate is at least 55 years old and has a “chronic life-threatening” illness, which could include diabetes, COPD, hypertension, heart disease, hepatitis C, depression, or other infirmities that many Americans live with every day and manage with medication. This definition is entirely too broad; we offered language to narrow it a bit, but at this stage, lawmakers seem to prefer this very liberal definition; We’ve urged lawmakers to be specific about who is “otherwise parole eligible,” as there are currently many ways to be eligible for parole, and violent offenders serving a life sentence can be released after five or six years under certain circumstances. They’ve turned
Steve Flowers: Handicapping the ‘great show’ Senate Special Election
The decisive move by newly minted Governor, Kay Ivey, to declare a Special Election for the Jeff Sessions’ Senate Seat this year rather than next year changes the entire complexion of who will sit in that coveted seat. It also redefines the landscape of an ever changing and pivotal Alabama political scene. This next year will be an adventure as we elect a Senator and concurrently the 2018 Governor’s Race will begin its evolution. We have already seen the downfall of a sitting governor this year and by Sept. 26, we will see the election of a new junior U.S. Senator. There is an assumption that only a Republican can win statewide office in Alabama and winning the GOP primary is tantamount to election. The decision by Governor Ivey was the right decision. Most folks would assume that “forthwith” means this year rather than next year. It was also a wise political move by Ms. Ivey if she wants to run for a full term. Ivey’s calling for the Special Election for Sessions’ seat immediately, could be the death knell for Luther Strange. By December, he may go from being the newest and tallest member of the U.S. Senate to the shortest serving senator in Alabama history. His defeat could be very inglorious and humiliating. With the election being this year, it will be the only show in town. It will be a spectacle. Every politician who is in any office can run without risking his or her current posts. In other words, everyone has a free shot. Therefore, it will be a free-for-all. Everyone will run against poor Big Luther and the Bentley taint. They will use their campaign resources to give you the unmitigated details of how Luther got put in that seat by ole Bentley. You will be told so many times that Bentley and Luther got together in a backroom with Rebekah and brokered a deal to sell Luther the Senate seat in return for Luther not prosecuting Bentley and Rebekah that you will know the story by heart. Luther will be as tarnished and feathered as ole Bentley. In about two weeks, when the Washington PAC’s see the polling that reveals Luther is in trouble, his campaign resources will be less than he expected and he may not be able to defend against the onslaught of negative ads. The question becomes, who will be the early frontrunners? Roy Moore enters as the favorite. His evangelical base becomes crystallized in a large field. It will probably reserve him a place in the Sept. 26 run-off. Who will be the other candidate in the runoff? It may very well not be Luther Strange. The U.S. Senate is a select club. A cursory look around the chamber reveals very wealthy people or celebrities. Senate seats are bought by wealthy individuals in a good many cases. We have some people in Alabama who could very easily buy the Senate seat. The short period of time that exists to raise money for an Aug. 15 election even further enhances the advantage for someone who can self-finance and write a big check. The name on most lists is the “Yella Fella,” Jimmy Rane. He would sell. He is a natural salesman. Folks close to Yella Fella get the feeling that he does not want to go to Washington at this time in his life. However, he is adamant and determined that Luther Strange will not remain in the seat. Therefore, he may bankroll another candidate through a super PAC. Rumor has it that he will get behind Del Marsh. Marsh has his own money also. However, he needs more money because he is totally unknown to Alabama voters. I will keep you posted on the developments. I do not know how many of these folks will join the fray but this is how I will handicap the horses at this time. Jimmy Rane and Roy Moore are one and two. Other possibilities are Congressman Robert Aderholt, Congressman Bradley Byrne, Luther Strange, Secretary of State John Merrill, Congressman Mo Brooks, State Auditor Jim Ziegler, State Sen. Del Marsh, Trump Trumpeter Perry Hooper Jr., State Sen. Slade Blackwell, State Sen. Trip Pittman, ADECA Director Jim Byard, State Senator Arthur Orr, and State Rep. Ed Henry. It will be a great show. 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.
Most of Alabama’s delegation not interested in Senate race
Several of Alabama’s congressional delegation, including a few high-profile Democrats, will be sitting out the August primary for the U.S. Senate seat, now held by Republican Luther Strange. Anniston Republican congressman Mike Rogers is not interested, according to spokeswoman Shea Snider Miller. The Montgomery Advertiser reports several Republicans rushed to file papers this week after Gov. Kay Ivey rescheduled the special election primary for the seat from June 2018 to August. Runoffs, if needed, will be in September; the general election is set for December. Republican congressman Robert Aderholt of Haleyville, tells the Advertiser he has received encouragement to run, and could a decision next month. But other Alabama congressional delegation staying on the sidelines. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, the Montgomery Republican, does not plan to run for the Senate this time. Roby was the only member of the delegation who publicly withdrew endorsement of Donald Trump after audio emerged of him bragging about sexual aggression. “With her new committee assignments on Judiciary and Defense Appropriations, Rep. Roby is focused on growing the contributions she is making on behalf of Alabama’s 2nd District in the House,” Roby’s representative Todd Stacy said. Hoover Republican Gary Palmer and Democrat Terri Sewell of Birmingham also declined to run. Same for Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb. Indeed, Strange will run for the seat, but the race is beginning to get crowded. Rep. Ed Henry, a Hartselle Republican who spearheaded the impeachment effort against Bentley, announced Tuesday he will seek the Republican Party nomination for the seat. Also contemplating bids are Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston, as well as Republican state Sens. Slade Blackwell of Montevallo and Trip Pittman of Montrose. Strange, who served as the state’s attorney general, is taking heat over his Senate appointment by former Gov. Robert Bentley, which some suggest it was because his office was investigating the governor. Bentley resigned last week, pleading guilty to two campaign finance violations. In his announcement, Henry promised to raise the issue. Strange, as the incumbent, has many advantages, including statewide campaign experience and an ability to raise a lot of money, something his current opponents lack.
Steve Flowers: BP oil spill money, a missed opportunity for Alabama’s natural resources
We have unbelievable natural resources in Alabama starting with the Tennessee Valley and transcending to the beautiful white sands at Gulf Shores. Many of our natural resources have been exploited over the years. The prime example would be the exploitation of our rich vaults of iron ore discovered in Jefferson County in the early 20th Century. It created the city of Birmingham, the Steel City of the South. U.S. Steel swept in and bought the entire region and used cheap labor in the mines and steel mills and kept poor whites and blacks in poverty wages and shantytowns. They owed their soul to the company store. Finally, they organized into labor unions. The United Steel Workers Union Local in Birmingham became the largest in the nation. Alabama also became the most unionized state in the south. The TVA workers and Reynolds Aluminum workers in the Tennessee Valley were all unionized. The tire workers in Gadsden, Opelika, and Tuscaloosa were unionized. The federal workers around Ft. Rucker in the Wiregrass were union. The largest employer in Mobile was the docks. The dockworkers were unionized. When you combine these locales with the steelworkers in Birmingham, we were a pretty unionized state. In the course of our recent history, we have been more prudent with our natural resources. The prime example of that would be during the late 1970s when we sold the oil rights in Mobile Bay to Exxon Mobil. We got a fair price, and we put the entire corpus aside and preserved the money into a trust called the Heritage Trust Fund. Governor Fob James deserves credit for this accomplishment. It is the crowning achievement of his two terms as governor. It is quite a legacy. Not all governors leave a legacy. Ole Fob has one. Not as much can be said for our most recent governors. Don Siegelman, Bob Riley, and Robert Bentley cannot point to any accomplishment that will distinguish their time as governor. Jim Folsom Jr., who only served two years as governor, can lay claim to having lured and landed Mercedes, which has been the crucible that has catapulted us into the second leading automaker in the nation. Governor Bentley was given a golden opportunity to garner a place in history with the one-time BP oil spill money. Granted, it was not as much money as the Exxon Mobil oil rights nor did we get as good a settlement as could have been garnered. We will only see $693 million of the $1 billion settlement because we bailed out and sold out to get our money up front. Compared to Louisiana and Florida, it was not a good settlement. Essentially this one-time windfall will be squandered. The BP money was appropriated in a special session last September. The Legislature spent the entire BP oil settlement proceeds with a compromise bill that divided the money between state debt repayments, roads for Baldwin and Mobile counties and Medicaid. The allocation was $400 million for paying off state debts, $120 million for highway projects in Baldwin and Mobile counties, and a total of $120 million to Medicaid over the next two years. There had been a contentious battle over the funds for Baldwin and Mobile going back to last year’s regular session. Lawmakers from the coastal counties fought diligently for the road money because their counties received the brunt of the 2010 oil spill. Lawmakers from North Alabama felt that the BP settlement should compensate all Alabamians equally. Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), who chairs the Education Budget Committee in the Senate, led the fight for North Alabama and Sen. Trip Pittman (R-Baldwin), who chairs the Senate General Fund Committee, spearheaded the battle for Baldwin/Mobile. Senators compromised the final day of the special session. The money from BP is spent. The only thing to show for it will be some highway to the beach. They ought to at least name it the BP Expressway. It would be the only legacy from the windfall. 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: Alabama will do just fine under Donald Trump
Alabama is going to fare wall under President Donald Trump. There is an old adage that says, “Those that bake the pie get to eat it.” We truly baked the pie for Trump. We overwhelmingly supported him in the GOP primary and helped him secure the nomination. We then gave him one of the largest mandates in the nation in the November General Election. Trump is indeed returning the favor. He has named our own Jeff Sessions Attorney General. His confirmation hearings begin this week. In addition, speculation is that Alabama’s Bill Pryor is on a very short list to be named to the U.S. Supreme Court by Trump to fill the vacancy on the Court of the late Antonin Scalia. Pryor is a former Alabama Attorney General, who currently sits on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. Pryor is only 54. He served as Alabama Attorney General from 1997-2004. He was the youngest state attorney general in the country at that time. He was appointed to the federal bench in 2005 by President George W. Bush. During his 11 years on the federal bench he has rendered a sterling conservative record. Pryor and Sessions have amazingly similar backgrounds. Both call Mobile their native home. Both were Attorney General of Alabama. Both have impeccable arch-conservative philosophies and pedigrees. They are kindred spirits and good friends. That is probably why Pryor is on Trump’s short list for the High Court. Most of the frontrunners to win the open Sessions Senate seat have avoided Bentley’s appointment. So how is the race shaking out to fill the Sessions’ seat? The frontrunner out of the gate is Attorney General Luther Strange. Big Luther has run three successful statewide races and is sitting on over 50 percent statewide name recognition. Furthermore, he is dedicated to running and has been for 20 years. He spent the first 20 years of his professional career lobbying in Washington for Sonat. He came home 20 years ago to run for a secondary statewide office and lay the groundwork to get back to Washington as a U.S. Senator. He has been biding his time for his buddies Sessions and Shelby to retire or move on. When Sessions’ appointment became imminent, Big Luther hit the ground running and has been raising money for 2018 for two months. The other statewide elected officials will probably not join the 2018 Senate fray. Secretary of State John Merrill has a good future. He is 53 and will probably run for re-election or maybe Lieutenant Governor. PSC President Twinkle Cavanaugh will probably run for Lieutenant Governor or maybe Governor. It is uncertain what State Treasurer Young Boozer will do. However, his tentativeness has probably left him out of the Senate race. Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan is running for Governor. State Auditor Jim Ziegler will run for Governor, Attorney General or re-election. Roy Moore is the favorite to win the 2018 Governor’s Race. Congressman Robert Aderholt would be the best qualified to run and succeed Sessions. He and Sessions went to Washington together 20 years ago. However, his 20 years of seniority in the House has placed him in a powerful congressional leadership position. He is poised to be Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. His move to being a freshman Senator would be a lateral move. Alabama and his district would be best served by his staying in the House. Mobile and Baldwin County folks believe that they deserve the Senate seat since Sessions is a Mobilian. There are three potential candidates from the Port City/Gulf Coast Region. Former Congressman Jo Bonner is not going to run. Current Congressman Bradley Byrne would have the best chance to win among all the potential Mobile candidates. He was almost elected Governor. However, Byrne is probably not going to leave his safe congressional seat. He likes it and is good at it. State Senator Trip Pittman from Baldwin County is in the race and is running hard. If he continues to be the only major horse from that area in the race and it becomes a crowded field, he may be in a runoff. Speaking of regionalism, look at a horse from Huntsville to enter the race. If there is one primary candidate from the Tennessee Valley they will be a player. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle may pivot and move from the Governor’s race to the Senate. Folks in that area have always been more interested in national politics than state politics because of the Redstone Arsenal. State Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston seems very interested in this open U.S. Senate seat. He has sought the Bentley appointment. However, being a powerful State Senator does not translate into statewide name identification. 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.
