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 |
Deepthroat -
If what you are saying is true then Mancuso is an idiot. I don’t believe that someone as well-liked and fairly conservative as Tom Butler could win a Republican Primary, and I know for a fact that a borderline-lib like Mancuso surely can’t.
Comment by The Sandman — April 3, 2008 @ 10:02 pm
Former State Representative Angelo Mancuso to announce he will run for Congress tomorrow in the Republican Primary
Comment by Deepthroat — April 3, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
Jeff Sikes has been pretty tight with Siegelman in the past. Making contributions to his gubernatorial campaigns and also to the lottery campaign. In return, Siegelmen appointed him to an industrial development board. Not sure why he would run in a Republican primary. He sounds like more of the Democrat persuasion.
Comment by Anonymous — March 28, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
A dumb question: If Jeff Sykes does jump into this race, what does that mean as far as his business commercials go? Is he still allowed to mention his name (i.e., Jeff Sykes Mazda) or is this deemed an unfair advantage? Inquiring minds want to know.
Comment by The Sandman — March 26, 2008 @ 11:12 pm
I hear that Jeff Sikes is in
Comment by Anonymous — March 26, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
Still no news on if Sparks would actually consider this race?
Comment by William Wyatt Wallace — March 26, 2008 @ 10:52 am
Any Republican legislators that stand with Butler IF he makes this grand announcement need to have their heads examined. This guy isn’t going to win a Republican Primary; no way. Just another embarassment for the Gov.
Comment by The Sandman — March 24, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
Gee, is anonymous have the intials S.R. and is rumored running for office with money from the gambling interests?
Comment by Deepthroat — March 23, 2008 @ 7:28 pm
Rumor has it he is going to switch parties this week and have several GOP legislators standing with him at the announcement. Then those same GOP legislators will be standing with him when he announces his bid for Congress. Good grief. What is going on? Republican legislators endorsing someone who was a Democrat a week before he announces his candidacy, and an Al Gore delegate in 2000. This just smells of some Montgomery good ‘ol boy back room deal.
Comment by Anonymous — March 23, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
I agree, Tom Butler is a nice guy. If he made it to the General Election, he would have a decent chance at winning this race. But there is NO WAY that he is going to win a Republican Primary against a true conservative like Wayne Parker. I hope he does switch parties, however; it will open up his State Senate seat for 2010 (I don’t believe he can win a Republican Primary for that seat, either).
Comment by The Sandman — March 23, 2008 @ 12:10 am
I like Tom (despite being an AL GORE delegate in 2000) and I hate to see him end his political career running last minute in a race he can’t win and in a party he’s always said he can’t fully support. What a shame. I sense a degree of desperation on the heels of a very public Montgomery filibuster and a 2008 democratic party represented by Obama and Hillary. Maybe his conscience has finally caught up with him in the twilight of his public service. Too late my friend…
Comment by Anonymous — March 22, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
The rumor out of Montgomery was Butler was going to swtich parties after the session, there is not time if he is going to run as a Republican because the deadline to enter race is April 3.
What about Parker Griffith, he has run for 3 offices in 4 years? VOted himself a pay raise as one of the first thing he did in the Alabama Senate. Oportunist at age 67, whats next in two years?
Comment by Deepthroat — March 22, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
Butler for Congress? If Tom can’t make up his mind what party he is in now, how can we trust him to make up his mind to vote the right way. He is not the right man for this job. He has been entrenched in the Democratic party for a very long time and has had ample opportunity to switch, why now? He has done a great job of doing nothing in Montgomery. Why give up the job security?
Comment by Anonymous — March 21, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
Any info on whether Sparks would seriously consider this race? If he wants to bank on 2 terms of Folsom he could basically hold this spot for 10 years and if the Dems are still in charge he could possibly be choosing between Ag Chair in the House or Governor of Alabama. Might also open a door for him to move to the Senate, gives him quite a few options.
Comment by William Wyatt Wallace — March 21, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
Blakely is just the type of guy who could hold this seat for the dems. Smart and tough.
Comment by Jackson County Dem — March 19, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
LOL. I apologize then Sandman.
Comment by dan t — March 18, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
I think it is unfair to mention Buford Pusser and Mike Blakely in the same breath. Buford Pusser was honest.
Comment by The Sandman — March 17, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Blakely is the Alabama version of Buford Pusser.
Comment by dan t — March 17, 2008 @ 9:37 am
Tom Young would have to take a major pay cut to run for Congress
Comment by chopper — March 16, 2008 @ 2:30 pm
Thank you for the heads up on Blakely. I added him.
Comment by Danny — March 16, 2008 @ 9:30 am