Alabama leaders respond to tragic tornados
Tornados struck Dallas, Autauga, and Elmore Counties on Thursday. Severe thunderstorms ripped across the central part of the state bringing with it severe tornado damage in Dallas and Autauga County. At this point, there are six Alabamians known to have died due to Thursday’s severe weather. According to Autauga County EMA, at least six deaths in the Old Kingston and Marbury Communities in Autauga County, and dozens of people are injured. Twelve people are reportedly hospitalized. The search for victims is ongoing. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said, “I am sad to have learned that six Alabamians were lost to the storms that ravaged across our state. My prayers are with their loved ones and communities. We are far too familiar with devastating weather, but our people are resilient. We will get through it and be stronger for it.” Ivey and her staff are working with Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) director Jeff Smitherman and his staff. Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter issued a statement regarding Thursday’s severe weather system. “The weather system that swept across our state today left behind unthinkable damage and loss of life,” Ledbetter said in a statement. “My deepest sympathies go out to those suffering in the wake of this storm. I’m continuing to reach out to our representatives in affected areas to make sure they’re safe and see where they need help. Days like today remind us how precious life is and how dangerous these storms can be.” Speaker Ledbetter and his staff have been in contact with state and local officials on the extent of Thursday’s storm damage. Speaker Ledbetter will travel to Autauga and Dallas counties on Saturday to survey the extent of Thursday’s storm damage. U.S. Senator Katie Boyd Britt also released a statement regarding the day’s severe weather across Alabama. “Our hearts break seeing multiple Alabama communities devastated by severe weather today,” said Sen. Britt. “I know that Alabamians in every corner of our state join us in praying for the families of those we’ve lost and for speedy recoveries to those who have been injured. Thank you to the first responders and linemen who are courageously serving their fellow Alabamians. My office is in contact with the Governor’s office and local officials in affected communities, and we stand ready to assist. Please continue to follow local alerts and warnings in affected areas.” U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville said on Twitter, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by today’s tornado in Selma, and to those who are still sheltering in place waiting out the storms. Thanks to the heroic first responders who are braving adverse conditions on the ground to help victims.” Congresswoman Terri Sewell is a native of Selma. A tornado struck the heart of the town of Selma, and damage is extensive there. “I am devastated and heartbroken by the tornado damage in my hometown of Selma and throughout the Black Belt,” Rep. Sewell said in a statement. “My office has already begun coordinating a federal response. I have spoken with the White House, FEMA, and the Small Business Administration as well as state and local officials including Alabama EMA about securing disaster assistance and expediting all available resources. I will be arriving in Selma tonight to survey the damage myself and assist with recovery efforts.” “I am keeping my constituents and all those affected in my prayers,” Sewell continued. “The people of the Black Belt are strong, and we will get through this together!” “I am heartbroken to hear about the damage and loss of life from today’s severe storms in Elmore and Autauga counties,” Congressman Barry Moore said. “Heather and I are praying for all the families affected. My staff is monitoring the situation and ready to help with any related federal issues – please call us if you need assistance.” “Whenever Alabamians suffer tragedy and find themselves in times of need, their neighbors and communities are quick to respond and embrace them,” said Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth. “It’s what makes our state special. My office and I are working to provide all available help to those affected by today’s tornados, and we stand ready to do whatever is necessary. I ask that you join me in lifting up those who suffered losses with our prayers.” Selma residents are under a curfew until dawn on Friday. Most streets in the city remain closed. Alabama EMA already has people on the ground in the counties affected by the severe weather and will have a more accurate survey of the damage on Friday morning. Alabama Power reports that 40,000 people are without power, but they are working on restoring power to affected communities as quickly as possible. Friday will bring much colder temperatures to the state. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Legislature to hold organizational session Tuesday
The Alabama Legislature will be in session on Tuesday. This two-day session is not to pass legislation but rather to organize for this new quadrennium. Both bodies will pass rules for the Legislature to operate under moving forward and set their leadership. Most attention is focused on the Alabama House of Representatives, where a number of changes are coming. Both Speaker of the House, State Rep. Mac McCutcheon, and Speaker Pro Tem. State Rep. Victor Gaston did not run for re-election in 2022. The House is expected to elect state Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter as the new Speaker and State Rep. Chris Pringle as the new Pro Tem. During the last legislative session, Republicans had a 77 to 28 filibuster-proof supermajority over Democrats. That is unchanged in 2023, so the Republican choices for the top leadership positions in the House are virtually a lock to be elected on Tuesday. Ledbetter is the former Mayor of Rainsville and was the Majority Leader during the previous quadrennium. He is in his third term in the state legislature. State Rep. Scott Stadthagen will be the new Majority Leader. He is serving in his second term in the Legislature. State Rep. Anthony Daniels will return as the House Minority Leader. Ledbetter has already announced his staff hires and committee chairs. This is one of the least experienced groups of House members in many years. Two-thirds of the House members are in their first or second term. This is the biggest change in the body since Republicans took control of the Legislature in 2010 after 135 straight years of Democratic Party domination. In the Alabama Senate, Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth was re-elected in a landslide. Ainsworth serves as President of the Senate as one of his office’s primary responsibilities. The inauguration for his second term will be on Monday. State Sen. Greg Reed will return as Senate President Pro Tempore. State Sen. Clay Scofield was also re-elected and likely will continue as the Senate Majority Leader. Republicans had a filibuster-proof 27 to 8 supermajority in the Alabama Senate during the last legislative session, and that supermajority returns. Both Reed and Scofield are returning for their fourth term in office. State Sen. James T. “Jabo” Waggoner returns as the dean of the Legislature. Waggoner was first elected to the Legislature in 1966. He is expected to continue to chair the powerful Senate Rules Committee. Both the House and the Senate will update their rules for the next four years. This is just an organizational session, and no actual legislation will be introduced or passed during these anticipated two days. The state legislature will return on March 7 for the 2023 regular legislative session. A regular legislative session is constitutionally limited to just 30 days. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
House leadership comments on massive unemployment tax cuts
Alabama House Republican Caucus Speaker Nominee Nathaniel Ledbetter and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Danny Garrett said on Friday that a dramatic cut in unemployment insurance taxes announced by the Alabama Department of Labor this week will help keep the state’s historic economy and job market growing even more in the coming months. “Based on the Department of Labor’s announcement, the financial burden that surging unemployment forced upon employers and businesses during the pandemic has come to an end,” Ledbetter said. “And thanks to the legislature’s strategic planning and wise fiscal policies during the pandemic, Alabama has remained open for business, and our economy is currently the strongest in history.” The Labor Department announced Thursday that Alabama employers would experience a 54 percent tax cut on their unemployment insurance taxes during 2023. This tax cut has dropped Alabama into the lowest tax rate schedule, moving the state’s tax rate from Schedule D to Schedule A. After massive layoffs caused by the pandemic depleted the state’s unemployment fund, the state legislature appropriated federal COVID relief funds to replenish the coffers of the depleted trust fund. The issuance of Revive Alabama Grants by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and actions taken by the Small Business Commission to re-open Alabama businesses faster allowed repayments to the unemployment fund much sooner than in states that stayed shut down longer during the forced economic shutdowns. “The remarkable achievement of moving from the highest to the lowest tax rate category is a direct result of the collaborative efforts over the past several years by Gov. Ivey, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, the Small Business Commission, and both bodies of the legislature,” Garrett said. “These tax cuts will benefit businesses of all sizes and ensure that Alabama’s economy, which is already among the best in the nation, remains strong for the immediate future.” “Following the economic uncertainty and the record-breaking amount of unemployment compensation benefits paid out during the pandemic, it is absolutely remarkable that we have been able to lower taxes for employers and drop to the lowest tax rate schedule in this short amount of time,” said Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. Ledbetter was selected by the House Republican Caucus to replace the retired Rep. Mac McCutcheon as Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. Since Republicans have a 77 to 28 supermajority, the Republican choice for Speaker is highly likely to be elected Speaker when the Legislature meets for its organizational session next week. Ledbetter has announced that if he is the Speaker, he will reappoint Garrett as the Chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Education Committee. Ledbetter has also announced that State Rep. Rex Reynolds will chair the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee. Reynolds replaces State Rep. Steve Clouse, who challenged Ledbetter for the Speaker’s chair. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Inauguration for Gov. Kay Ivey will be January 16
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey was recently re-elected to a second term as Governor of Alabama. Gov. Ivey’s next four years will begin on January 16. Ivey and the other state constitutional officers will be sworn in at 10:00 am CST on the Capital steps in Montgomery. The festivities will begin on January 15 with the Made in Alabama Reception from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Governor Kay Ivey will kick off inaugural festivities by hosting an Alabama Made reception at the Alabama Governor’s Mansion. The traditional Morning Prayer Service will be held on January 16 at 8:15 am. The governor will begin inauguration day with an early morning prayer service at her home church, First Baptist Church in Montgomery. There she will petition our Heavenly Father for wisdom, guidance, and strength in leading the people of Alabama. The swearing-in Ceremony will follow at 10:00 am. With one hand on the Bible, Governor Ivey will take the oath of office on the Alabama State Capitol steps and publicly be sworn into her second term as governor. Other state constitutional officers likely to be sworn in include Will Ainsworth – Lieutenant Governor; Steve Marshall – Attorney General; Rick Pate – Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries; Wes Allen – Secretary of State; Andrew Sorrell – State Auditor, and Young Boozer – State Treasurer. Jeremy Oden and Chip Beeker were both re-elected to the Public Service Commission. All of Alabama’s statewide constitutional officers are Republicans. Following the swearing-in ceremony, celebrate newly inaugurated officials with a parade up Dexter Avenue that showcases and celebrates Alabama’s diverse communities and talent at 12:00 pm. Attending the parade is free for all Alabamians and their families. Before the Inaugural Gala, Governor Ivey will host an exclusive donor reception at 6:00 pm for her donors to personally thank those supporters who went above and beyond to keep Alabama working. The Inaugural Gala will be at 7:00 pm. A formal gala will be held to commemorate Alabama’s first Republican female governor and celebrate Governor Ivey’s dedication to keep Alabama growing. The Governor’s inauguration committee is still accepting opportunities for donors as she is sworn into office for a second term as Alabama’s 54th governor. A $100,000 contribution gets you to the Governor’s Circle Level. Those high-dollar donors receive ten tickets to the Alabama Made Reception, ten tickets to the Prayer Service, forty priority seating tickets to the swearing-in ceremony, eight tickets to the special Donor Reception, and forty reserved seating tickets to the Inaugural Gala as well as two full-page, four-color advertisements in the Official Inaugural Commemorative Program and acknowledgment in the program as a Governor’s Circle Level Inaugural Sponsor. A $50,000 donation is a platinum Level sponsorship. Those donors receive eight tickets to the Alabama Made Reception, eight tickets to the Prayer Service, twenty-four priority seating tickets to the swearing-in ceremony, six tickets to the special Donor Reception hosted by Gov. Ivey, twenty-four reserved seating tickets to the Inaugural Gala, full-page, four-color advertisement in the Official Inaugural Commemorative Program, and acknowledgment in the program as a Platinum Level Inaugural Sponsor. A $25,000 contribution is gold level. That purchase six tickets to the Alabama Made Reception, six tickets to the Prayer Service, ten priority seating tickets to the swearing-in ceremony, four tickets to the special Donor Reception hosted by Gov. Ivey, sixteen tickets to the Inaugural Gala, a full-page, four-color advertisement in the Official Inaugural Commemorative Program, and acknowledgment in the program as a Gold Level Inaugural Sponsor. A $10,000 contribution purchases silver-level sponsorship. That purchases two tickets to the Alabama Made Reception, two tickets to the Prayer Service, four priority seating tickets to the swearing-in ceremony, two tickets to the special Donor Reception hosted by the Governor, eight tickets to the Inaugural Gala, a half-page, four-color advertisement in the Official Inaugural Commemorative Program, and acknowledgment in the program as a Silver Level Inaugural Sponsor. $5000 is Bronze Level, and those donors receive two tickets to the Prayer Service, two priority seating tickets to the swearing-in ceremony, two tickets to the special Donor Reception, four tickets to the Inaugural Gala, a half-page, black-and-white advertisement in the Official Inaugural Commemorative Program, and acknowledgment in the program as a Bronze Level Inaugural Sponsor. Commemorative Program Ads cost $5,000 for one full-page, four-color advertisement; $3,500 for a one full-page, black-and-white advertisement; $2,500 for a half-page, four-color advertisement; and $2,000 for a half-page, black-and-white advertisement. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Study group urges Legislature to grow Alabama’s economy
Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth led a study group that on Monday recommended that for Alabama to remain economically competitive with neighboring states, the Legislature needs to reauthorize and expand the Alabama Jobs Act and Growing Alabama Act which pays economic incentives to companies that locate or expand in Alabama. The Joint Legislative Study Commission on Renewing Economic Development Incentives held its final meeting at the Alabama State House before submitting its report to the Governor and Legislature on recommendations for reauthorizing economic development incentive programs. The study committee claimed that the Alabama Jobs Act and the Growing Alabama Act are essential and recommended that these incentive programs should be reauthorized before they expire in 2023. This commission was established by the Alabama Legislature in the 2022 legislative session. It includes representation from businesses and industry and was tasked with reviewing existing economic incentives and making recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on those incentives ahead of the 2023 legislative session. Ainsworth, who chairs the commission, said that the commission’s findings will be a roadmap for the Legislature on how Alabama can best leverage incentive programs to boost the state’s economy: “Our goal is simple – we want to have the best incentives not only in the southeast but in the nation as a whole,” Ainsworth said. “This commission has been diligent in comparing our existing incentives with other states and working with the Department of Commerce to determine how we can expand both new and existing industries. Reauthorizing these programs is going to be essential in attracting high-paying, long-lasting, 21st Century jobs.” State Representative Nathaniel Ledbetter agreed, “Reauthorizing these incentives is going to help Alabamians by allowing us to compete for the best jobs in the country right here in our state. Industries across the country are trying to come here because of our great employees, our low taxes, and because of our great quality of life. We want to make sure that, from a competition standpoint, we have the tools needed to bring them here and keep them here.” Ledbetter is the Republican House Caucus’s choice to be the next Speaker of the House. Republicans have a commanding supermajority in the Alabama House of Representatives, so the Republican choice for Speaker will, in all likelihood, be the next Speaker when the full House of Representatives vote in an organizational session in January. The Study Commission held discussions with the Alabama Department of Commerce, industry professionals, and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama to reach their conclusion that the Alabama Jobs Act and Growing Alabama Act are pivotal tools used by the state’s economic development professionals in successfully attracting businesses to the state. Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed said that for Alabama to compete with neighboring states, economic development incentives need to be reauthorized and expanded. “When you look at the top issues Alabamians care about, economic development and job creation are right at the top of that list,” Reed said. “States around our region are all competing with each other to attract jobs and to create economic growth, and we need to make sure that we win those competitions so good-quality jobs will come to our state and our communities. Alabama is the greatest state in the nation to live and work, and these incentives will play a key role in keeping it that way.” Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton also supports renewing the incentives legislation. “Growing Alabama’s economy and creating good jobs for our citizens is something we can all agree on,” Singleton said. “This commission has been thorough in studying existing incentives and exploring how they can be improved and further deployed to really capture their full potential. I thank this commission for its diligent work and look forward to seeing the impact its findings will have on communities across our state.” Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield also served on the Committee representing Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s administration. “If you look at Alabama, we are almost a victim of our own success, is what I said in the commission meeting,” Ainsworth said in a video clip shared with the media. “We have had so much success in developing sites that we are out almost. We need to develop more sites in Alabama, and we have got to be more aggressive to make sure that we stay ahead of other states. Look at mega-sites. We need more mega-sites for companies to locate here. We have some of the lowest taxes. We have the best workers. People want to live in Alabama. Companies want to come here, so it is our job to make sure that we have sites so that they can come here and build their businesses.” Critics of economic incentives dismiss them as “corporate welfare.” At the same time, some ultra-conservatives have argued that the decision to give or not give economic incentives to businesses looking to locate or expand in Alabama is picking winners and losers and is not a function of government. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Flowers: All politics is no longer local
The legendary Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Tip O’Neill, is credited with coining the slogan, “all politics is local.” He quoted it often and lived it. The old Boston machine Democratic politician went home to his Irish neighborhood every week. He knew everyone in his blue-collar district. He knew who was kin to whom. He knew their names, birthdays, parents, grandparents, and children. He did favors, made sure their mail was delivered, lost Social Security checks were found, and even made sure that potholes were fixed and streetlights replaced. He lived the saying, “all politics is local.” He also worked in Washington in an era of bipartisanship. They worked and socialized with each other regardless of party affiliation to get things done. It was well known that Tip O’Neill and Ronald Reagan were best friends and drinking buddies when Reagan was the Republican President and O’Neill was Speaker. That is why Reagan was so successful as President. He had O’Neill as a friend. It was certainly a different day in Washington than today. Democrats and Republicans now not only do not work together, they do not even talk to each other. They despise and denounce each other more than Reagan and O’Neill hated and denounced the Russians. For years, in my column as well as in college classrooms, lectures, and speeches around the state, I have declared the cornerstone of political theory, “all politics is local,” as a truism. However, as we end this 2022 election year and begin the 2024 presidential election campaign, I am changing my song and dance. My theory now is that all politics is no longer local. All politics today is national. It is all partisan based and derived from national and Washington politics. Folks are either in the Republican tribe or the Democratic tribe, and it applies nationally, and especially in Alabama. Seventy-five years ago, Alabama was a rural state. Alabama voters were much more interested in the sheriff’s race than in presidential races. In fact, Alabamians very seldom even voted in presidential contests. There were more votes cast in an off-year Democratic primary for sheriff and governor than in presidential years. That has changed dramatically. Alabama is a more urban state than rural. Today, Alabamians follow national congressional and presidential politics and could not care less who is the sheriff of their urban county. In the just completed Jefferson County Sheriff’s race, it was a Democrat vs. Republican contest. Personalities were irrelevant. The Democrat, Pettway, won because he was Democrat. Hudson lost because he was a Republican. They could have been named Jones and Smith rather than Pettway and Hudson, and neither campaigned, and the results would have been the same. This 2022 election confirmed and solidified the fact that Alabama is a Ruby Red hardcore Republican state in statewide elections. Twenty-three out of 23 statewide elected offices are held by Republicans. The three candidates, Kay Ivey, Katie Britt, and Wes Allen, who each had a Democrat opponent, got 66% of the vote. The Republicans, who had only Libertarian opposition, like Rick Pate, Young Boozer, and Will Ainsworth, got 84%. Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth got the most votes, about 960,000. He also got the most votes of any contested candidate in 2018. This will hold him in good stead as he eyes the 2026 governor’s race. The Democratic Party is dead and irrelevant on the state level in the Heart of Dixie. Everybody with walking around sense knows this. That is why no serious candidate will run as a Democrat. Some idealistic Democrats will write me and lament that the Alabama Democratic Party leadership is inept. My reply is that it is irrelevant whether you have a Democratic Party office in Alabama or not; the result of Alabama races is going to be the same. All politics is national now. The vote is driven from Washington. The same is true of the Alabama Republican Party. It does not matter who is the Chairman of the Alabama GOP; the GOP vote in Alabama will be the same. In fact, the current GOP Chairman is a butterfly farmer, and his butterflies probably know more about Alabama politics than he does. Folks, Alabama is in the Republican tribe; make no doubt about it. Our largest metropolitan counties of Jefferson and Montgomery are in the Democratic column. As I have said for the past 20 years, if Mickey Mouse is the Republican candidate for President, he will carry Alabama even if he does not campaign or spend any money here, and the same applies to the governor’s race. Why? Because all politics today is national. Happy Thanksgiving. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www.steveflowers.us.
Libertarian Jimmy Blake says state needs to change ballot access law
On Friday, Jimmy Blake told Alabama Today that the State of Alabama has the most restrictive ballot access law in the country and that that needs to change. Blake was the Libertarian Party of Alabama nominee for governor in last week’s general election. On November 8, Blake received 45,823 votes – 3.25 percent of the votes cast – in his failed bid to be governor of Alabama. Kay Ivey was reelected to another term with 944,845 votes – 66.93% of the vote. Blake also was unable to achieve a high enough threshold for the Libertarian Party to have automatic ballot access in the 2024 election. “In 48 states, all but Kentucky and Alabama, I would have gotten enough votes for the party to have had ballot access,” Blake said. For a minor party to remain on the ballot in Alabama, one of its statewide candidates has to achieve 20% of the general election vote. Democratic nominee Yolanda Rochelle Flowers received just 29.16% of the vote in the governor’s race. That was the poorest showing for a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Alabama history, down from Walt Maddox’s 40.4% just four years ago. None of the 65 Libertarian candidates on the ballot in last Tuesday’s general election were victorious. In the U.S. Senate race, Libertarian nominee John Sophocleus received just 2.32% of the vote (32,790 votes), and Democratic nominee Will Boyd received 30.87% (435,428 votes), while Republican Katie Britt received 66.64% (940,048 votes). Where Libertarians did best were in races where there was a Republican running but no Democrat. In the Lieutenant Governor’s race, Republican incumbent Will Ainsworth coasted to victory with 83.69% of the vote (955,372 votes). Still, with no Democrat in the race, his Libertarian opponent, Ruth Page Nelson, received 15.60% of the vote – 178,069 votes – still short of that 20% threshold required by Alabama state law. 1,411,756 people voted in the governor’s race, but only 1,141,507 votes in the Lieutenant Governor’s race, a drop off of 270,639 voters. Many of those voters who dropped off the ballot were Democrats who voted a straight-party ticket without making a preference in races where the Alabama Democratic Party failed to recruit a candidate. Candidate qualifying was over, and the ballot was set before new Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelley was even elected. No Democrat won a statewide race on Tuesday. In fact, Doug Jones’s surprise victory over former Chief Justice Roy Moore in the 2017 special election for U.S. Senate is the only win for a Democrat in a statewide race in Alabama since 2008. The unlikely chance that a Democrat can win a statewide race in Alabama has made it extremely difficult for the Alabama Democratic Party to recruit candidates or for Democratic or non-Republican candidates to raise money. Where Libertarians came closest was in the race for Public Service Commission Place 2 race. There incumbent Republican Chip Beeker received 83.18% (929,248 votes), while Libertarian nominee Laura Lane received 16.05% (179,302 votes). “Laura Lane had enough votes for 49 states, even Kentucky, which has the second hardest ballot access at ten percent,” Blake said. The Libertarian candidates for PSC Place 1, State Auditor, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries all received over 14 percent of the vote in addition to Lane and Nelson. Blake said that Libertarians would be asking the Legislature to reform the state’s ballot access law. The last time the Libertarian Party of Alabama had ballot access was 2002. Then Sophocleus received more votes than the deciding margin between incumbent Democrat Don Siegelman and winner then-Congressman Bob Riley. Following that heavily contested race, the State Legislature changed Alabama’s ballot access laws to make it more difficult for minor parties to qualify for ballot access. The state requires a minor party or an independent candidate to turn in ballot access signatures of registered voters. To gain ballot access in this election cost the Libertarians over $240,000 and weeks of canvassing. The Party only completed the work in the days before the May 24 deadline. Without intervention by the Legislature or the court system, Libertarians will have to repeat that process if they hope to run statewide candidates in 2024. The 2024 election will include the statewide offices of President, PSC President, Alabama Supreme Court, and appellate judge. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Republicans dominate statewide races
As expected, Alabama Republicans won every statewide race. Kay Ivey was easily re-elected, and political newcomer Katie Britt will be the next U.S. Senator from Alabama. Republican incumbents Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, Attorney General Steve Marshall, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate, and Treasurer Young Boozer were easily re-elected. Republican State Representatives Wes Allen and Andrew Sorrell won the open Secretary of State and Auditor races. Republicans also held their supermajorities in both Houses of the Legislature and won the open State Supreme Court Justice race. Ivey won by an even larger percentage than in 2018 in 2022. Ivey had 69.9% of the vote as of press time. Yolanda Flowers’ 29.2% performance was the worst performance by a Democratic nominee in memory. Ivey improved her percentage victory by over 10% (69.9% versus 59.5%) of the vote; but actually had fewer votes than four years ago – 944,845 in 2022 versus 1,022,457 in 2018. Ivey’s two landslide victories makes her the most popular Republican governor in state history. Yolanda Flowers only received only 411,269 votes, whereas Walt Maddox received 694,495 votes. Ivey is the first Republican woman to serve as Governor of Alabama. She was already the longest-serving woman governor in state history and the first woman in state history to be re-elected as governor. Ivey won the 2022 election for governor, the 2018 election for governor, the 2014 election for Lieutenant Governor, the 2010 election for Lieutenant Governor, the 2006 election for State Treasurer, and the 2002 election for State Treasurer. This unprecedented run makes Ivey the most successful woman politician in the history of Alabama. Ivey, age 78, is also the oldest governor in the state’s history. Election night was hugely disappointing for Libertarians. While they did get ballot access for the first time since 2022, none of their candidates were able to get close to the 20% threshold needed to give the party ballot access in 2024 – even in statewide races where no Democrat even qualified. Gaining ballot access cost the Libertarian Party over $240,000 to get the necessary number of ballot access signatures to be on the ballot. If the party is going to be on the ballot in 2024, they will have to go through the ballot signature process. Libertarian candidate for Governor – Dr. Jimmy Blake, only received 45,825 votes (3.2%). It is unclear where Blake’s voters came from, disgruntled Republicans or Democrats who did not support Flowers. It was not a good night for write-in gubernatorial candidates. Dean Odle and Jared Budlong, representing the far right and far left respectively, received just 9,401 votes (0.67%). Since those votes will not be individually counted, so there is no way to know how many of those votes were Odle’s, Budlong’s, or someone else entirely. In the Senate race, Britt received 940,048 votes (66.6%). Democrat Dr. Will Boyd received 435,428 votes (30.87%). Libertarian John Sophocleus received 32,790 votes (2.32%). 2,454 Alabamians wrote in someone else. Britt is the first woman to win a U.S. Senate race in Alabama. In the Lieutenant Governor’s race, incumbent Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth won in a landslide. Ainsworth had 955,372 votes (83.69%). Libertarian Ruth Page-Nelson had 178,069 votes (15.60%) – far short of the 20% Libertarians needed to guarantee them ballot access in 2024. 8,066 Alabamians (0.71%) wrote in someone else. Incumbent Attorney General Steve Marshall coasted to re-election, receiving 953,284 votes (67.91%) versus 449,193 votes (32%) for Democrat Wendell Major. Major received more votes than any Democrat running statewide. In the Secretary of State’s race, Republican Wes Allen won 923,206 votes (65.9%). Democrat Pamela Lafitte got 435,558 (31.1%), and Libertarian Matt Shelby received 41,480 votes (3%). In the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries race, incumbent Republican Rick Pate cruised to victory 944,021 (84.3%) over Libertarian Jason Clark 169,869 (15%). In the State Treasurer races, Republican incumbent Young Boozer trounced Libertarian Scott Hammond with 944,792 votes (83.75%) to 174,472 votes (15.47%). For State Auditor, Republican Andrew Sorrell won 947,719 votes (84.4%), while Libertarian Leigh Lachine had 166,243 votes (14.81%). For Alabama Supreme Court Place 5, political newcomer Republican Greg Cook won 941,059 votes (67.42%), while Democrat Anita Kelly received 453,518 votes (32.49%). Incumbent Republican Alabama Supreme Court Place 6 Kelli Wise was unopposed winning re-election 995,688 votes (97.51%). For Public Service Commission Place 1, Republican incumbent Jeremy Oden defeated Libertarian Ron Bishop 934,987 (83.73%) to 172,733 (15.47%). For Public Service Commission Place 2, incumbent Republican Chip Beeker received 929,248 votes (83.18%), while Laura Lane had 179,302 votes. Lane received more votes than any other Libertarian, but her 16.1% was still far below the 20% threshold that the Libertarians needed statewide. The Alabama Republican Party also retained its supermajorities in both Houses of the Legislature. Democrats flipped one Alabama House seat in Montgomery County (Charlotte Meadows), while Republicans flipped one Democratic seat in the Wiregrass (Dexter Grimsley). These numbers are all unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State’s office. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Katie Britt eyes Senate win in Alabama, faces Will Boyd, John Sophocleus
Republican Katie Britt is looking to become the first woman elected to the U.S Senate from Alabama as she seeks to capture the seat opened by the retirement of GOP Sen. Richard Shelby. Britt faces Democratic nominee Will Boyd and Libertarian John Sophocleus in Tuesday’s race for the rare open Senate seat in Alabama. Shelby, 88, is retiring after serving six terms in the U.S. Senate. Britt is Shelby’s former chief of staff and the former leader of the Business Council of Alabama, a business lobby. If elected, Britt will become the first woman to win election to the U.S. Senate from Alabama and will be the first Republican woman to hold one of the state’s Senate seats. The state’s previous female senators, both Democrats, had been appointed. Britt, who won the GOP nomination after a hard-fought primary, has raised more than $10 million in the course of her Senate campaign. Boyd has raised $105,000, and Sophocleus did not raise enough funds to require filing a campaign finance report. Boyd is the presiding bishop of Zion Ministries and pastor of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church —a 162-year-old church in Florence, Alabama. He was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor four years ago but lost to Republican Will Ainsworth. Boyd captured about 38% of the statewide vote in the 2018 lieutenant governor’s race. Boyd also ran for the Senate in 2017 but lost the Democratic primary to Doug Jones, who went on to become the first Alabama Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in a quarter of a century. Jones was the last Democrat to win statewide office in Alabama but lost his reelection bid in 2020 to Republican Tommy Tuberville. Sophocleus is a former economics instructor at Auburn University. The Libertarian candidate’s platform includes the abolishment of federal gun laws and expanded use of initiative and referendum. Libertarians are back on the ballot in Alabama after a 20-year-absence. Party leaders secured the needed signatures to get their candidates on the ballot for the first time since 2002. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Republicans are hoping for another sweep in 2022 election
On Tuesday, Alabama voters are going to the polls to elect new leaders for the state. The Alabama Republican Party is hoping to see history repeat itself again in this election, and they will maintain their dominant position in Alabama politics. “Just a reminder that if you are tired of sky-high gas prices, out-of-control inflation, and rising crime, you have a choice. Vote Republican tomorrow on Election Day,” the Alabama Republican Party wrote on Facebook Monday. Alabama Republicans hope that this election follows the script of recent Alabama elections. In 2010, the Alabama Republican Party won every statewide office on the ballot. U.S. Senator Richard Shelby was easily re-elected to another term. Republican nominee for Governor, State Rep. Robert Bentley, defeated his Democratic opponent Ag Commissioner Ron Sparks. Then Treasurer Kay Ivey defeated incumbent Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom in a race that even most Republicans at the time thought was a long shot. The people of Alabama, however, had grown tired of Alabama Education Association-dominated Democrats and found President Barack Obama’s policies too liberal for Alabama. National voters agreed, and 2010 was a massive “red wave” election that gave Republicans control of both Houses of Congress. In Alabama, Republicans won supermajorities in both Houses of the Alabama Legislature after 135 years of Democratic domination of the state legislature. In 2014 Bentley, Ivey, and the rest of the Alabama GOP were back. Bentley faced former Congressman Parker Griffith, and Ivey faced former State Rep. James Fields. Democrats viewed the 2014 election as so hopeless that they did not even find a candidate to run against popular U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions. The Alabama voters once again rewarded Republicans with every statewide office on the ballot, and they grew their supermajorities in both Houses of the Legislature. In 2018, Bentley was gone, and Ivey had been elevated to Governor. Shelby was reelected to a sixth term in 2016. Democrats, however, were optimistic because their nominee for U.S. Senate, Doug Jones, had just defeated the Republican nominee, former Chief Justice Roy Moore in a special election. It had been the first win for an Alabama Democrat in a statewide race since 2008. Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, who had masterminded the Republican campaigns in 2010 and 2014, had been convicted of corruption in 2016 (he is still in prison to this day). None of that mattered. Ivey easily bested her Democratic opponent, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox. In the Lieutenant Governor’s race, State Rep. Will Ainsworth defeated his Democratic opponent, Florence Pastor Dr. Will Boyd. The Republicans also grew their supermajorities in the state legislature. Former Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville beat Sen. Jones in a landslide in 2020, so once again, there is no statewide Democratic officeholder in Alabama. On Tuesday, Ivey is seeking her second full term as governor. This time she faces political newcomer Yolanda Flowers and a Libertarian – Dr. James “Jimmy” Blake. Ainsworth faces Libertarian Ruth Page Nelson. Democrats failed to run a Lt. Gov. candidate. Shelby is retiring after 36 years in the Senate and 52 total years in office. His former Chief of Staff, Katie Britt, is the Republican nominee for Senate. She faces Boyd and Libertarian John Sophocleus. This is the first election since 2002 where there are Libertarians on the Alabama ballot. There are a lot of parallels between the 2022 election and the 2010 election. Once again, Democrats control both Houses of Congress and an unpopular Democratic Presidential incumbent, former Obama VP Joe Biden, is in the second year of his presidency. Many political analysts are predicting that Tuesday will be a second “red wave” election, like 2010, that will sweep Democrats out of office and give Republicans control of both Houses of Congress again. Alabama Republicans are hoping this is true of Alabama as well, and the GOP will retain its almost total mastery of Alabama politics. That is for the voters of Alabama to decide. Polls will open at 7:00 am and close at 7:00 am. Voters need to bring a valid photo ID with them to the polls. Various forms of photo ID are acceptable. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Election 2022: A look at who’s running on the Alabama ballot
Alabama voters will decide races ranging from U.S. Senate and governor to local offices in Tuesday’s election Polling places and registration status can be found on the secretary of state’s website, at https://myinfo.alabamavotes.gov/voterview. Voter turnout is expected to be moderate, according to a projection by Secretary of State John Merrill. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Here’s a quick look at major statewide races and issues: US SENATE Republican Katie Britt faces Democratic nominee Will Boyd and Libertarian John Sophocleus in the race for the rare open Senate seat in Alabama. Britt is outgoing U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby’s former chief of staff and the former leader of the Business Council of Alabama. Britt was endorsed by former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary and has emphasized border security, concern about the national debt and a need for new voices in Congress. Boyd, a pastor, supports Medicaid expansion and efforts to protect the Voting Rights Act. Sophocleus, a former college economics instructor at Auburn University, supports the abolishment of federal gun laws and the creation of a flat tax. GOVERNOR Republican Gov. Kay Ivey is looking to win a second full term in office as she faces Democrat Yolanda Flowers and Libertarian Jimmy Blake. Ivey avoided a runoff in the spring despite facing eight Republican challengers in the primary. Flowers, an educator, is the first Black woman to win a major party’s gubernatorial nomination in the state. Blake is a physician and a former Birmingham City Council member. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Republican Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth faces Libertarian Ruth Page-Nelson. There is not a Democratic candidate in the race. The lieutenant governor presides over the Alabama Senate. However, the most notable thing about the position is that the lieutenant governor becomes governor if the governor leaves office for any reason. Libertarians believe the race is their strongest hope of hitting the 20% vote threshold needed to maintain ballot access in 2024. SECRETARY OF STATE Alabama will elect a new person to the office that oversees elections. Republican Rep. Wes Allen faces Democrat Pamela Laffitte and Libertarian Matt Shelby. Allen, citing security concerns, opposes alternative means of voting such as curbside voting, mail-in voting, or allowing people to vote absentee for any reason. Laffitte supports expanded methods, such as early voting and no-excuse absentee voting, to make voting more convenient. Shelby supports changing Alabama’s stringent ballot access law that has made it difficult for third-party candidates to run. He also supports alternative systems such as ranked-choice voting. ATTORNEY GENERAL Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall faces Democrat Wendell Major. Marshall is seeking his second full term as Alabama attorney general. His campaign has emphasized his role in lawsuits challenging vaccine mandates and other policies of President Joe Biden’s administration. Major is the police chief of Tarrant. He has emphasized the need to address the state’s opioid crisis and mental health crisis. OTHER RACES — In the state treasurer’s race, Republican incumbent Young Boozer faces Libertarian Scott Hammond. — In the state auditor’s race, Republican Andrew Sorrell faces Libertarian Leigh Lachine. — In the race for commissioner of agriculture and industries, Republican incumbent Rick Pate faces Libertarian Jason Clark — In the races for Public Service Commission, Republican incumbents Jeremy Oden and Chip Beeker face challenges from Libertarians Ron Bishop and Laura Lane. — In the race for Alabama Supreme Court, Place 5, Republican Greg Cook faces Democrat Anita Kelly. NEW CONSTITUTION Alabama voters will decide whether to ratify the Alabama Constitution of 2022 that removes racist language, such as references to segregated schools and an interracial marriage ban. It also reorganizes the document, which has been amended nearly 1,000 times, to remove repealed provisions and make it more user-friendly. However, it makes no changes to how government operates. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS There are 10 proposed statewide constitutional amendments. Those include Amendment 1, which would give judges more discretion to deny bail to people accused of violent crimes. Amendment 10 is a companion amendment to the ratification vote that would allow new amendments to be placed within the document. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Marsha Blackburn and Katie Britt headline Republican get out the vote event in Madison County
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Katie Britt was joined by U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn for a Republican Get Out The Vote (GOTV) rally in Madison County on Monday, October 31st. Britt and Blackburn will also be joined by Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield, and House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter. These GOP leaders will be joined by local candidates, elected officials, grassroots activists, and members of the public. “I’m excited to join an incredible lineup of speakers in Madison County at our Get Out The Vote rally,” said Katie Britt in a statement. “It’s an honor to have Senator Marsha Blackburn on hand to outline how important this upcoming General Election is. We are looking forward to visiting with everyone and discussing what’s at stake on November 8. It’s time to send a message loud and clear to Washington, D.C. that we’ve had enough of President [Joe] Biden’s radical agenda that puts hardworking Alabama families last, whether it is generationally high inflation, a historic border crisis, or the devastating flood of fentanyl into our communities. This is the Year of the Parent, and people across our great state know that our future is on the ballot. Together, we will preserve the American Dream for our children and our children’s children.” “Mexican drug cartels went into overdrive as soon as President Biden took office, smuggling fentanyl in by the truckload,” Blackburn wrote last week. “With any semblance of law and order tossed aside, dealers realized they could get away with lacing common prescription drugs. Now, just in time for Halloween, the DEA is warning parents that the cartels are attempting to lure children with brightly-colored “rainbow” fentanyl made to look like candy. That’s right – they are serving up poison that could pass as Chewy SweeTARTS. With heinous operations like this, it’s no wonder fentanyl overdoses have become the leading cause of death for adults ages 18 to 45.” The event was hosted by Black Patch Distillery at 500 Lanier Road, Unit 3C in Madison. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
