Challenge to Larry Means May Be Key
Associated Press reported today what the Political Parlor began telling you over three weeks ago: the lawsuit seeking to overturn the election of Sen. Larry Means (D - Attalla) is different from the lawsuits seeking to disqualify the other candidates, it’s potentially more serious, and it has ramifications for who controls the Senate.
AP’s article from Phillip Rawls also hints at something you already heard here: the late-developing write-in candidacy of Jack Lowe, Jr. was part of an “orchestrated effort” from Lowell Barron.
What if the lawsuit is not resolved in time for Larry Means to give an 18-vote majority during the Senate’s January organizational session to Jim Preuitt (D - Talladega) and the coalition of Republicans and dissident Democrats? Preuitt is on the case.
Preuitt is already making plans about what to do if Means’ seat is tied up when the organizational session begins and Means can’t vote. Preuitt said his side could boycott the session. That would leave only 17 senators - one below the number necessary for the Senate to meet.
“The other side couldn’t convene the Senate with 17,” Preuitt said.
Related Articles:
[…] Dissident Democrats and Jim Preuitt pick up key support as Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D - Birmingham) announced today his support for Jim Preuitt as Senate President pro tempore. If the seven dissident Democrats, now including Smitherman, hold their coalition with the 12 Senate Republicans (and if Larry Means is not removed from the equation), the group would have 19 votes. Eighteen votes are necessary to set the organizing rules and select a president pro tem. […]
Pingback by Sen. Smitherman Announces Support for Preuitt as Pro Tem » Doc’s Political Parlor — December 12, 2006 @ 4:55 pm