See also the AL - 05 Big List.
Welcome to the AL - 02 Big List.
This list has been an attempt to keep up with everyone in either political party who has been credibly mentioned (in public or private) as a potential candidate for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District since Rep. Terry Everett (R - Rehobeth) announced that he will not run for re-election.
Both parties’ qualifying period ended April 4, 2008. Three Democrats and six Republicans qualified for the primary race, and they are listed below. The primary is June 3.
The Political Parlor will update the Alabama Line (found in the sidebar) for the race, though perhaps not as fast as you like since input from a wide array of people is sought.
| Democrats |
Republicans |
IN
Bobby Bright, Montgomery Mayor
Cendie Crawley, Dentist, Troy native
Cheryl Sabel, Alabama NOW President
OUT
William Boyd, Montgomery Mayoral Candidate
Seth Hammett, Speaker of the House
Jimmy Holley, State Senator
Jimmy Lunsford, Troy Mayor
Gary McAliley, Pike/Coffee Co. DA
Wendell Mitchell, State Senator
Scott Ninesling
James Perdue, Crenshaw Co Probate Judge
Cooper Rutland, Union Springs Atty
Ron Sparks, Agricultural Commissioner
Terry Spicer, State Representative
Glen Zorn, former Florala Mayor
|
IN
David Grimes, State Representative
Jay Love, State Representative
John W. Martin, Retired Army (Dothan)
Craig Schmidtke, Dothan oral surgeon
Harri Anne Smith, State Senator
David Woods, President, WCOV-TV (Montgomery)
OUT
Greg Albritton, former state Representative
Wes Allen, former candidate for Auditor
Kenneth Boswell, Enterprise Mayor
Bobby Bright, Montgomery Mayor
Terry Butts, former Supreme Court Justice
Jim Byard, Prattville Mayor
Steve Clouse, State Representative
Mark Culver, Houston County Commissioner
Larry Dixon, State Senator
John Giles, former Christian Coalition of AL President
Jack Hawkins, Troy Univ. Chancellor
Jimmy Holley, State Senator
Tim James, Greenville businessman
Troy King, Attorney General
Ben Lewis, State Representative
Barry Mask, State Representative
Charles Nailen, Dothan businessman
Steve Pelham, former Everett staffer
Jim Sullivan, PSC President
George Wallace, Jr., former PSC Commissioner
Dot Waller, Autauga County Bd. of Ed.
Greg Wren, State Representative
|
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Liitle ole me,
You are correct. It’s a violation of the Code of Federal Regulations. Both He and She knew better.
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 5, Volume 2, Parts 700 to 1199]
[Revised as of January 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 5CFR734]
Sec. 734.306 Participation in political activities while on duty, in uniform, in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties, or using a Federal vehicle.
(a) An employee may not participate in political activities subject to the provisions of subpart E of this part:
(1) While he or she is on duty;
(2) While he or she is wearing a uniform, badge, insignia, or other similar item that identifies the employing agency or instrumentality or the position of the employee;
(3) While he or she is in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by an individual employed or holding office in the Government of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof; or
(4) While using a Government-owned or leased vehicle or while using a privately-owned vehicle in the discharge of official duties.
Comment by LB-22 — May 24, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
Jray - Grimes has no chance…sorry. And MH, if Harri Anne had “fire in her belly” to run for Congress, she would not skip debates, leave others early, etc. She may have fire in her belly to try and save face now that she realizes she will likely not win….it is amazing what politicians will do when to try and save their political career that is on a downward spiral. She thought she would coast to the nomination…I guess not, huh? And parading her husband around in his military uniform for political purposes? It’s just sad. After she loses this race, maybe we can get her out of the state senate as well. Harri Anne for Slocomb Mayor!!!!! After all, we all could use a lil slocomb.
Comment by Anonymous — May 24, 2008 @ 11:05 am
Anyone catch the good Dr. telling everyone that he wants fiscal conservatism? Word is he is trying to connect with common people now and pointing out that he has student loan debt from dental or medical or whatever school you go to for his job. Now how is that fiscally responsible for him to spend over 500,000 of his own money on this race and still have debt? As of his posting he only had 11,000 on hand so he will have to dump in even more to pay to continue his commercials. Where is that fiscal responsibility Dr?
Comment by The Good Doc — May 24, 2008 @ 10:29 am
JRay,
thanks for the reply.
Actually, the General mentioned to me that if the offense warranted it, it could result in a military hearing, and serious repremand (he did mention that at one time it was a court martial offense). I don’t think that the issue is “that serious” but I do think it reflects on the lack of judgement on Harri Ann’s part as well as her campaign staff. And, I think it reflects on the integrity and character of her campaign. Once again, if Harri Ann can’t be held accountable for her actions in the campaign, how can she be held accountable if she is elected to the position??
I see it as a slap in the face to the members of the military that she “so dearly” represents and is begging for votes from. Maybe I am the only one that sees it this way, but I think it is pitiful that she is never held accountable for any of her actions.
Comment by little ole me — May 24, 2008 @ 10:06 am
little ole me - I guess I’ve been retired too long. I saw Col Smith in her ads, and completely missed the UCMJ violation. Punishment for such conduct would probably be limited to a written reprimand.
Comment by JRay — May 24, 2008 @ 9:22 am
Re 1032 You’re right when you say that Bright will not get elected IF we put up a strong candidate. Problem is we don’t have a strong candidate among any of the top three front-runners. Now, if we could get behind Grimes, who is clearly the best candidate, we might have a chance. Why Grimes? - likeable, no baggage, straight-talking, not a puppet of big money. In the absence of a strong candidate Bright will win, as have so many other moderate to conservative Dems elsewhere.
Comment by JRay — May 24, 2008 @ 9:15 am
MH, and other HAS supporters—
I understand that Harri Ann’s Husband showed up at the forum in Enterprise, dressed in his military uniform. One would think that a Colonel in the US Army Reserves, and his wife who is so knowledgeable about the military, would know that it is a breach of military regulations to attend any political rally, fundraiser, or campaign function dressed in their uniform. Also, he has been recorded in his uniform on TV commercials, with HAS pinning his ribbons on, and also photographed with his uniform on for her campaign literature. Once again, do your homework Harri Ann. An Air Force General was in attendance in Enterprise, and he was very upset about the fact that Colonel Smith didn’t follow regulations.
I wonder if this will be followed up on, or if the general public and the media will sweep this under the rug like they did her misappropriation of funds, her status as a “no show” at campaign forums, and her misunderstanding of the issues on Country Crossings. Keep on digging Harri Ann, you are sure to reach the bottom of the list sometime. Are you trying to make it easy for the other candidates?
Comment by little ole me — May 24, 2008 @ 9:05 am
If you had been at Dothan’s Republican Women’s Club this week and heard Smith speak, you might change your tune about her not being strong. She had fire in her belly, and even folks who normally doon’t care for her, walked out impressed. Just because she doesn’t come across as a ’slick, professional politician’, doesn’t mean she is weak. She is actually very strong…and possibly more importantly, people like her and can relate to her. She comes across as a ‘just plain folks’ (which she truly is!)…and a lot of voters like that.
Comment by MH — May 24, 2008 @ 7:27 am
Dear Evaluator - thanks for wasting all of our time and space on this blog! Obama will lose Alabama HUGE and the Den values that he expresses are not a fit for Alabama or in the best interests of this country in my opinion. But yes, you are entitled to yours.
Bobby Bright will not get elected in CD 02 IF there is a strong GOP candidate. Having a strong candidate is key. However, if Smith, in my view, is the nominee, then let’s get used to saying Congressman Bright.
Comment by Anonymous — May 24, 2008 @ 7:20 am
I guess you haven’t been listening closely to the Democratic Party platform…especially where Obama is concerned. He plans to reduce military spending. That means not only throwing open the doors to our enemies again, but also the loss of thousands of jobs…many of which would be in this area. With Barrack Obama as President and a Democratic majority, you can expect to see major BRAC and RIF initiatives that will make past ones look like a tea party. You can expect the closure and/or bankruptcy of a number of Defense Contractors…especially with regards to research and development. Obama ‘promises’ to cut back on weapons research, nuclear capabilities, Star Wars-type defense, etc…and that is almost word for word from his speech on the subject!
With apologies to Dylan Thomas, ‘I will not go silently into that good night…I will rage, rage, against the dying of the light….’ In other words, don’t expect me to roll over while Barrack Hussein Obama gives this country away to our enemies….and don’t expect the Republicans, or our Veterans, to do so either.
Comment by MH — May 24, 2008 @ 12:45 am
I wanna be as honest and frank with all who of you that do not think the DEMS have a chance in this race. Ya’ll better start reviewing the latest election results in Missouri, Miss. and Louisanna. Those districts were to heavy Repub and they were recently soundly defeated by the DEMS. Listen up all from Dothan to Prattville, whether you like it or not Congress is now heavily controlled by DEMS and that is not going to change anytime in the near future. As a matter of fact for several years! Either put someone in Congress whom is a proven leader that can work with the other DEMS or all you’ll get is one filibuster after another. DEMS are here to stay awhile, like it, lump it, or leave it. So why not concede to the fact, get over the R+13 and vote a good DEM in June 3 and November 7 that can work well with the DEM controlled Congress and get the wheels turning in a positive motion for our area.
Lets make things happen for the enhancement of this country and quit squabbling about it being and has been a REPUB district since the sixties! Who cares about party’s at this stage of our economy? What everyone should care about is what are the long term goals that we should be working toward, for better enhancing this great nation.
I’ll tell you, its about ending Wars, strengthening the economy, reducing the 10 trillion dollar deficit, avoiding future terrorist attacks, establishing a good solid and long term health care program, revamping social security for our children, protecting our military by strenghtening it, saving civilian jobs and military bases, enhancing our borders to stop illegals from entering, establishing a means to deport the ones that are already here illegally, not just keep detaining them in our overcrowded jails and prisons, holding them without a due and quick deportation process, then hire and put enough Border Patrols in place to keep them out.
Start a new program to drill for oil on our own turf and tell the Saudis and all the other muslim countries where they can stick it in an effort to reduce the cost of ever increasing petroleum products. We can sit here debating who is our favorite candidate, etc. until hell freezes over but if we don’t put bi-partisan politics as usual aside and elect the right individual to fill this vacancy, then what have we accomplished? Not a thing,,,,,
It is obvious by now that Obama will be the DEM nominee and if so, he will most likely be elected President. Having said that, it is also pretty obvious that the DEMS will then be totally in charge, so there you have it, we need to put a DEM elected Congressman to work for us at this same time.
Comment by evaluator — May 23, 2008 @ 9:39 pm
1024–
In response, sometimes there are needs and demands, which go above the needs of an individual, and those are the needs and demands for a more stable community, state, and nation. I personally applaud the fact that those two individuals are putting the needs of the nation first, as opposed to selfish ideas of me, me, me. Whomever you may believe is the right candidate for the job, should be considered against the standard those two men are setting. I for one am torn between the two, and feel it will be very hard to make a decision either way. If the nation is safe and in good shape, then so would be their families. Let’s hope both of these gentlemen are truly gentlemen, and not sling each other through the mud in the next few days.
Comment by torn in Ozark — May 23, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
The Governor has called a “Special Session” of the legislature on Tuesday, May 27th. I’m sure Mr. Love and Ms. Smith are thrilled with this!
What impact will this have on their campaigns? Sitting in those chambers with that “do nothing” legislature while they could both be our campaigning for the congressional seat.
Comment by Anonymous — May 23, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
Dear 1026, You are right, I missed you’re point the first time. Thanks!
Comment by Anonymous — May 23, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
Dear 1023, please reread my post (1022)! I did NOT say that a Dem would win. I was arguing the contrary. I noted that 1992 and 2008 are similar election years. To repeat, in 1992 Terry Everett (a Republican outsider) beat George Wallace, Jr. (a politician Democrat). Back then, the pundits favored the Democrat, just as they are doing now. They were wrong then and they will be wrong again. Please reread!
Comment by Real Concerned Citizen — May 23, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Dear 1024, so no one with small children should ever be elected to Congress? Geez…
Comment by Anonymous — May 23, 2008 @ 11:55 am
Has anyone but me noticed that both, love and schmidtkie are saying the reason they are running for office is for their families, but if their families were really the most important things in their lives, why would they take a job that will require them to leave their families with small children behind, while they go to washington ever week ?
do you / they, think that coming home on the weekends, and then serving the 16 counties of dist. 2 on saturday and sunday, will be the father they need? and provide the family structure needed to raise small children ? or is that a womans job?
Comment by just interested — May 23, 2008 @ 11:33 am
Dear 1022, Please do some serious homework. Do you not understand, a democrat does not have a “snowballs chance in hell” of winning the general election. The district is more “republican” now than ever before. The 2000 re-aportionment helped the GOP even more. Mr. Bright will not get any more that 4o% of the November vote.
The Republican nominee would have to pull a Governor Spitzer or a Larry Craig to give Bright a chance.
Comment by Anonymous — May 23, 2008 @ 11:30 am
Dear “1020″, You are correct. Everett spent just shy of $1 million to win the primary and general. But money doesn’t seem a problem for some others in this race either. I just want to state for the sake of historical accuracy that being a Montgomery politician is not always a plus. It was proven in 1992. Not only did Larry Dixon go down as you stated, but so did George Wallace, Jr. Funny how all the pundits at that time assumed the seat was Wallace’s just as they are now saying it will be Bright’s. 1992 was in some ways similar to this year on the national scene. Should be interesting!
Comment by Real Concerned Citizen — May 23, 2008 @ 11:03 am
By the way, it seems that there are a lot of people (or one multiple poster) wanting to insist “Smith is done.” As long as the Wiregrass is big in this district and as long as she is the leading candidate from the Wiregrass (sorry, Dr. Yankee), she won’t be “done.” Which means she (for anyone who can understand demographics) will not be “done” before a runoff.
The runoff will be a new ballagme and could be very tough for her. But if the opponent is Love, he’ll have a tough time also as his ac tual record hasn’t been touched on in advertising yet. When that happens, he’ll have a very tough time and will have to find even more money somewhere - and he might not be able to come up with it.
In a runoff, the best positioned candidate - easily - would be Woods. But Smith is the most likely to make the runoff - winning it will be her challenge. If her opponent is Woods, it will be much tougher than Love as an opponent.
Comment by Anonymous — May 23, 2008 @ 10:35 am