Reed About HD 54

The best umpires and referees are invisible. No on-the-field arbiter wants to become part of the story.

Unfortunately, Joe Reed (of the Alabama Democratic Conference) is becoming a bigger and bigger part of the story of whether Patricia Todd or Gaynelle Hendricks will be the winner of the HD 54 Democratic primary. Todd’s 59-vote victory over Hendricks has been challenged because Todd filed financial disclosure forms late but before the election. (My take on the eventual outcome is here.)

Reed has publicly supported Hendricks’ campaign, and Birmingham Weekly’s Kyle Whitmire has a story just out and worth reading about Reed’s role in delaying the HD 54 hearing after his role in determining the outcome of the hearing was diminished.

The referee knows that if the fans go home talking about him, he hasn’t done his job. Not only are people buzzing about Reed’s role here, the issue (beyond who will represent HD 54) may be whether or not Reed’s machinations will have lasting repercussions in the party.

Hat tip to Kathy’s Birmingham Blues for the Birmingham Weekly story.