AL-05 Big List
Welcome to the AL-05 Big List.
Similar to our 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 5th Congressional District after Rep. Bud Cramer (D - Huntsville) announced that he will not run for re-election.
Both parties’ qualifying period ended April 4, 2008. Two 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
Parker Griffith, State Senator OUT Mike Blakely, Limestone Co. Sheriff |
IN
George Barry, Sales Manager OUT Mo Brooks, Madison Co. Commissioner |
You might want to add Mike Blakely to the list of possibles. He is well-known across North Alabama as an agressive Sheriff would be a tenacious, skilled campaigner.
http://www.decaturdaily.com/stories/7027.html
Comment by Mike Ball — March 16, 2008 @ 8:18 am
Anon #15 - to be clear, I like Ray McKee and the Fair Tax (got the t-shirt). IMO he needs more than the Fair Tax to get elected.
I’d like to withdraw my comment about Arthur Orr not being eligible - looks like he is, and that I’m not as think as I smart I am.
I attended the Madison County GOP breakfast today, saw McKee and Brooks. Mo didn’t make any announcements. The place was buzzing, of course. GOP names mentioned most were Brooks, McDonald, and Orr. Orr and Brooks seemed to be the favorites.
Dems mentioned were Parker Griffith and Susan Parker. FWIW, Susan Parker seemed to get more positive comments. Randy Hinshaw’s name came up, but mostly in the context of him taking Griffith’s Senate seat.
Comment by Reactionary — March 15, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
I’m a Rep. and I like Susan Parker. More power to her.
Comment by Rocketman — March 14, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
Reactionary, then do you think McKee can translate his “one issue” as you put it into something that candidates on both sides of the aisle will have to talk about? After all, if he’s smart he’ll devote the Fair Tax issue into the minds of AL-05 voters. If done right, Fair Tax can translate into more revenues for NASA/Missile Defense.
Comment by Anon 15 — March 14, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Anon #15 - McKee is a single issue candidate - Fair Tax - he said this AM on Dale Jackson’s radio show (WVNN) that he has done his job - getting Cramer out (said tongue in cheek).
Comment by Reactionary — March 14, 2008 @ 7:19 pm
Why does nobody want to give Ray McKee a serious shot? No reason that he has to be a political nobody whether or not Cramer’s in the race and the Fair Tax concept is a big winner in North Alabama. McKee also has NASA and Missile Defense experience(also a political winner in North Alabama).
Comment by Anonymous — March 14, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
Parker’s always got her eye on the next office, I am always suspicious of those types.
Comment by Jackson County Dem — March 14, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
Susan Parker is truly exceptional — smart, hardworking and as ethical as they come. I’m betting she takes this one.
Comment by SouthSeer — March 14, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
Carter Wells moved back to the District about a year ago . . . so he would be a candidate in the mold of Jo Bonner.
Comment by Anonymous — March 14, 2008 @ 11:43 am
Sounds like political junkie is not quite the junkie he imagined.
Did Wells live in DC and run the office or did he do like Jo Bonner and run the DC office from within the district to get name and face recognition?
Comment by William Wyatt Wallace — March 14, 2008 @ 11:34 am
Randy Hinshaw is most assuredly not under indictment, and prosecutors have reportedly assured him that he is not a target of a criminal investigation.
Comment by Danny — March 14, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Surely Randy’s not a serious candidate? He’s under indictment right?
Comment by PoliticalJunkie — March 14, 2008 @ 11:03 am
I think Butler is going to switch parties very soon. He sounded very very cozy this morning with conservative talk show host Dale Jackson on his show. If he was planning to stay a democrat he wouldnt have popped up on Jacksons show this morning and acted that way.
Comment by dan t — March 14, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Hell Raby has given money to Mike Rogers and probably other Republicans. Why would Democrats vote for him?
Comment by InterestedDem — March 14, 2008 @ 10:46 am
I wonder if Raby would have to disclose all of his financial dealings with Auburn, Paul Hubbert and whoever else he works for.
Comment by Real Democrat — March 14, 2008 @ 10:30 am
Is Mickey Hammond(sp?)in this district as a GOPer? He has a strong conservative record . . .I don’t know if he lives in the district though . . .
Comment by Anonymous — March 14, 2008 @ 10:23 am
IIRC Arthur Orr lives in another district (AL-4th).
Comment by Reactionary — March 14, 2008 @ 9:03 am
Maybe one of Butler’s faces could run as a Dem, the other as a Repub.
Comment by KentAllard — March 14, 2008 @ 8:48 am
I bet Butler would run as a GOPer.
Comment by Anonymous — March 14, 2008 @ 8:40 am
Tom Young? Gee, he already ran for the open Callahan seat that Bonner won. Why doesn’t he run for the open Everett seat as well? Any open seat, he should run, huh? Crazy…
Comment by Jason H — March 14, 2008 @ 7:15 am