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
|
Share This
J Ray,
What do you think about the Dr. in Dothan having invested over 500K in his campaign? Now thats alot of dough to be putting into a campaign and not be widely known in the wiregrass. He must have alot of $ to burn in such campaign.
Comment by 02 voter — May 27, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
HAS probably did. Question is, is that a legal move in a federal campaign? Seems to me that it wouldn’t be. Although after watching her campaign up till now, nothing of this sort surprises me.
Comment by 02 voter — May 27, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
Ok, well time is drawing nigh and the election is right upon us and bout to take its toll on some of these high baller candidates. Can’t wait to see the results of this one! Gonna be great when we get down to the nitty gritty! Onto the general election in November, yeah man lets go……….
Comment by 02 voter — May 27, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
I forgot to mention that Smith put in another $150K on May 23rd. Spotted it when I was looking for Smith for Congress,Inc.
Comment by JRay — May 27, 2008 @ 4:07 pm
I have a question - Has anyone else noticed that recent Smith ads are paid for Smith for Congress,Inc.?
Did she incorporate her campaign, or is there another, authorized or unautorized, committee paying for her ads. I could not find a Smith for Congress,Inc. on the FEC website.
I’m not bashing Smith, just trying to figure out the “Inc.”
Comment by JRay — May 27, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
“And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest….”
Yep, you know what I’ll be doing today. LOL!
Comment by MH — May 25, 2008 @ 8:37 am
No worries, Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of a holiday weekend.
Comment by Scott Ninesling — May 25, 2008 @ 8:18 am
LOL! You got me Scott. I was accusing you of making the mistake that I made. Obviously, my fingers started ’speaking’ before my brain was engaged. I do apologize. Guess I get a little defenisive at times, for some reason.
Comment by MH — May 25, 2008 @ 8:12 am
Well MH, I was referring to what you wrote:
“Thanks for making my day, Scott. Hope you do well with that Congressional thing from Iraq…”
I know the defense industry quite well too, and work in it as well. And know all to well the amount of effort put forth by US citizens to help our Middle Eastern partners train and equip their own defense forces.
Comment by Scott Ninesling — May 25, 2008 @ 8:08 am
Tina - Why don’t I run? I’m way to old and lack experience; genuine political experience that is. What I’m trying to figure out is how I have discredited any candidate. I have merely pointed out that their personal conduct is not in-line with the image they are trying to sell the voters of AL02. I’m malicious - watch a Love ad. I lack knowledge - watch a Smith ad. Since Woods reminded the public that WCOV brings us American Idol, I thought someone should remind him that he also brings us several FOX shows that are unsuitable for family viewing. In typical fashion, the candidates are pandering unrealistic solutions to serious problems in order to get votes.
Comment by JRay — May 25, 2008 @ 7:59 am
Scott,
I don’t know what commercial you were listening to, but the one I heard said, “those Middle Eastern Sheiks”….it did not mention Iraq. You may be over there right now, but prior to his untimely death, my dad was a scientist working in the defense industry and was personally asked by the Pentagon to go to the Middle East and oversee certain projects. Just because we are at war in Iraq, it doesn’t mean that we don’t help other Middle Eastern countries protect themselves. The Middle East is a big place. I don’t know where you are, or what you do over there…but I do know a little bit about the defense industry. I grew up in it, and I worked in it for many years.
I’ll tell you, the scientists I know who work in our defense industry are extremely patriotic (they work for the defense industry because of their patriotism, not for the money), they are highly intelligent, and they ‘get’ my sense of humor…and love it. Damn, I miss those guys and gals!
Comment by MH — May 25, 2008 @ 7:57 am
*1041: “Woods lacks experience?” Neither did Terry Everett … and he seemed to do just fine … JRay, with all due respect, you seem so vocal, have so many answers, very quick to point out whatever on whatever candidate .. why don’t you run for office? Step up … and if not, that’s ok, but don’t use a blog to discredit or put down people you don’t know … HAS is a nice woman, perhaps not the best for Congress, but has good intentions, Grimes is a great guy, as is Woods … Grimes/Woods are friends and speak very highly of each other … There is nothing wrong with being for a particular candidate … Everyone has a candidate they’re leaning towards, but to comment w/o accurate knowledge is irresponsible and borders on malicious … Apology accepted for the rant, I hope you’ll accept mine.
Comment by tina louise — May 24, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
Well for those interested, my contract completes in September, and when I was contemplating a challenge to the 2nd I had sufficient personal leave to come home for most of the primary after the filing deadline. And if I had been fortunate enough to obtain the nomination I was simply going to complete my contract and come home in early September to concentrate on getting my message out. And for MH, pull out a map, there are more countries in the Middle East then Iraq.
As for the rest, oil and gas prices, these commodity prices are completely market driven, supply and demand along with Wall Street speculators are the ones you should be pointing your finger at. But be careful with that and remember what Momma said, when you point that finger there are 3 more pointing right back at you. Most oil producing nations are producing at near 90 percent which is an industry norm. The problem for us is domestic exploration and refining capacity. I blame both parties for the lack of legislation to allow for more domestic supply for our own consumption. What a good number of people forget as well is that more than Middle Eastern countries belong to OPEC, i.e. Venezuela, and our second biggest supplier for our production is Mexico. So as for my opinion, we need to concentrate on our needs and insist that our leaders do something for our own exploration and development. The Saudi’s experience extremely low gas prices cause it’s THEIR product and THEIR government sets the price for the people.
I consider myself a democrat but differ then the party line on many issues from energy policy, to military affairs, and the criminal justice system. We need new ideas in state and federal government. The same old games just are not working. Our own state government can’t complete the sole duty they are charged with in the constitution, pass the budgets. HAS say she hates taxes, well why isn’t she leading the charge to eliminate the tax on food?? Our federal legislative branch spends too much time squabbling over the party lines and doesn’t respond to the needs of citizenry. When the budget lines don’t add up what does our federal government do?? Well we cut the spending on Medicare and Medicaid recipients and borrow money from China to keep us afloat. So we cut the medical coverage to the group of people that require the most coverage and we borrow the funds needed to run the US from a communist country. That’s right it’s still a communist country. The Democratic Party and our two candidates are wrong on pulling out of Iraq. I have not agreed with the premise of the war from the start but know that we cannot pull out and should not pull out anytime soon. If you think oil and gas prices are high now, just pull out of Iraq and see what happens.
Sorry for the rant, but you asked…
Comment by Scott Ninesling — May 24, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
Folks should chill out about Smith. No need to stress or worry. She will not be the republican nominee.
Comment by Anonymous — May 24, 2008 @ 7:55 pm
Darn…and there we go again. The folks in Washington are talking about cutting taxes on gas and it is brilliant, but because whoever edited Smith’s commercial cut out one word…I guess they assumed everyone would understand that the ‘temporary’ was implied…it is, Smith neeeds to ‘get a grip’.
Come on people. You bash Smith the same way the Democrats blame Bush for everything from global warming, to tsunamis and earthquakes.
I’d insert one of my usual comic relief remarks here, here, but you guys are just making my ‘job’ of cracking jokes too easy. It takes all the fun out of it….
Comment by MH — May 24, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
I just love the way Smith is being ridiculed for saying something that other candidates and politicians are also saying…but because she says it, she is being ‘foolish’. I guess it is OK for other politicians to come up with the same ideas and it is brilliant…but let Smith say it, and it is a whole different story. Kind of reminds me of the FedEx commercial of the meeting where one guy suggests they use FedEx and is ridiculed, but when his boss repeats the same suggestion and makes a gesture, he is a genius.
Thanks for making my day, Scott. Hope you do well with that Congressional thing from Iraq….
Comment by MH — May 24, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
Smith says she will cut the tax on gas…and does not say temporarily. Does she not realize that tax is how we pay for highways and other infrastructure in this country? get a grip smith.
Comment by Anonymous — May 24, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
Scott what is your solution to all of the problems? I see you listed as a potential candidate, it would be pretty hard to run for an office in Alabama from the Middle East.
Comment by Anonymous — May 24, 2008 @ 6:05 pm
To whomever made mention of HAS commercials…Thank You. I had not seen them and went over to the campaign website to check them out… The economy one is a riot. She will “Make” them reduce prices?? I work in the Middle East and Ms. Smith…not gonna happen.
It is amazing that someone who calls themselves a banker does not understand the free market system. But seems there is a good bit that she doesn’t understand; FEC Rules, UCMJ and CFR infractions and now this… Someone better school her on some things pretty quick before she makes a fool of herself, oops…too late.
Comment by Scott Ninesling — May 24, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
Re: 1039 - I completely agree that Grimes has no chance. But I stand by my position that he, by far, the best Republican Candidate. Regardless, of who represents the Repubs, Love, Smith, or Woods, I cannot, in good conscience, vote for any of them. Love lacks credibility, Woods lacks experience, and Smith simply lacks. I do not buy into the Conservative Christian Values repeated ad nauseum by Love and Woods. Love should change his name to Hate based on the tone of his recent ads, and Woods continues to air anti-Christian values TV shows on WCOV for the sake of a few bucks. Smith has no concept of the real world with her ridiculous I hate taxes and I’ll make those Saudi’s reduce their oil prices ads. Give me a break - not a single one of them has proposed a workable solution to any problem we presently face as a nation. My apologies for the rant, I just had to get that out of my system.
Comment by JRay — May 24, 2008 @ 3:47 pm