Trip Pittman in the Political Parlor

Trip Pittman received 30% of the vote in last Tuesday’s Republican primary for Senate District 32 (representing most of Baldwin County). In the Sept. 11 run-off, he will face Randy McKinney who received 36% of the vote. The seat became open when Sen. Bradley Byrne was appointed by Gov. Bob Riley to head the troubled two-year college system.

Last week, Mr. Pittman stopped by the Political Parlor for a brief chat. (Pittman’s campaign website can be found here.)

Are you bothered that much of the GOP establishment has lined up behind McKinney?

He has some support, and we have support from local GOP people as well. It’s a challenge when you haven’t run for office before. It makes it more difficult in many ways, but we find we have been able to overcome it. We have a lot of friends helping us.

I could write a book on a lot I’ve learned in a short period of time.

Such as?

Well, it’s more challenging if you have not run before, in some ways. A lot of friends believe I have solutions, that I can address the issues. Friends can give you their experiences and contacts, can give you some options and some help.

We believe strongly in the political system, representative democracy, a republic. I’m talking about people who understand the need to get involved.

I feel strongly that how you get elected affects how effective you can be. A lot of issues, the solutions need to be debated. If you have strings attached, you can’t consider all the solutions. I can see more clearly [without taking money of special interests].

Money is the lifeblood of politics. Over half of his [McKinney's] money comes from PACs. I’m going to Montgomery to represent Baldwin County, not hang out with lobbyists. I’m not taking PAC money.

I’m running because I can believe I can make a difference. I love my state and county. People know me as someone who loves history, philosophy, political philosophy, finance. I think I bring a lot to the table in understanding that every action has consequences. For every action there is a reaction. Sometimes there are unintended results. We need to think through the consequences. The legislature does not operate in a vaccuum.

Once you get elected you govern. I’m a thinker AND a doer. I believe that government does not always consider the consequences on individuals in the long run.

Say a little more about not taking the PAC money. Randy McKinney made the point to me that you interviewed with the other candidates for ALFA’s endorsement, for their money, just like everyone else did. He finds it interesting that you are now saying that you won’t take PAC money.

Having never done this before… He’s correct we interviewed with associations. And this was a learning process. Once I got into this you start to see what I’m talking about [regarding special interests' money]. After a bit, it’s like, “Trip, thank goodness you didn’t get that money,” because I’ve been about being effective in government.

It’s amazing how frustrated people are with the system, and how it works. After being exposed to the process, I see why it’s the way it is. I had the realization that NOT getting the money made me glad. Even if I agree with these associations 70, 80, 90% of the time, there are times that their positions are at odds with the people in my district.

I’d take their endorsement. But not their money.

We reported about $110,000 raised in the primary. When that is just from your constituents and friends, it’s very difficult. And we limited them to $2500 because we didn’t want any contribution to be disproportionate.

My opponent is a good guy. I believe all these people run for office because they care and want to be involved. But at some point, you can be compromised.

I think we have a good chance. We only have 5 weeks. We have a lot to do.

Do you feel like you’ve tried to raise issues that have not been covered? Or are you better off running a “good guy kinda campaign?”

I had a lot to do in communicating who I was. I think people understand that being a successful businessman represents competence, understanding fiscal issues, getting things done. I had to work on getting name ID.

Are there issues that you will focus on?

Yes, now that we are in the run-off, we will be more specific. People are going to want to know what I stand for. People accept that I am a businessman, that I am a family man, that I have the ability to be their state senator.

I want to stop PAC-to-PAC transfers and double dipping. ‘Preserving and promoting the quality of life in Baldwin County’ is our overall theme. Managing growth. The infrastructure, not just roads & bridges and sewage but things like watershed management. Maintaining excellence in education, protecting the creeks, rivers and the bays. People enjoy being able to use our natural resources. We don’t want growth to spoil these things.

Property insurance is an issue. We need to do what we can to increase competition, stimulate the market, bring the cost down, and make it more affordable. Immigration. The federal government doesn’t want to enforce the laws it has on immigration. We need some kind of secure identification system so we know who is a legal immigrant and who is not.

It is imperative that property reappraisals go back to every four years and that we limit the amount of the increases. The [real estate] market is soft. There has been a lot of inequity in the reappraisals.

We need effective leadership that can represent Baldwin County in Montgomery, but that can also work with the County Commissioners, the mayors and councils, and the citizens of Baldwin County.

How much do you think the campaign will cost between now and the run-off?

All we can raise. [Laughs.] I’d say 75 to 100 thousand dollars. The money puts me at something of a disadvantage. But people ask me, “Do you have 10 to 15 people working hard for you, getting your name out there?” I think we have hundreds of friends out there getting the word out.

I think Randy McKinney is doing a good job on the School Board. [Laughs.] Let’s keep him there. Send Trip Pittman to the Senate. Let them both work for you.

Three years from now when this term ends, what is the best case scenario on how Alabama would be different?

We would have done some things to bring honest and open government to the state. We would have dealt with fiscal issues with long term perspectives.

Locally, we would have done a lot to foster the quality of life in Baldwin County.

I have heard that an airplane crash had something to do with you deciding to run. Is that a story you would tell?

Let me start at the beginning.

I had a uncle by marriage, Jim Allen, who was in the state legislature, he was Lt. Governor twice, he served in U.S. Senate. Growing up, he was someone I respected a whole lot. He was someone who would send you copies of the Declaration of Independence. He would send you copies of the Constitution, so I grew up with a tremendous interest in government. My father served in the military, and I grew up with a love of country. I was in the ROTC at the University of Alabama. Served on the Baldwin County Planning and Zoning for a term. Served on the Alabama Commission on Higher Education for nine years.

You have your life, your family, your business…

Then I was in a plane when the exhaust manifold broke. Burned through some wiring.

We glided down. We crashed through the trees. I thought it was the end of my life. Hit the ground.

Then there is the realization that it’s not the end of my life. You open your eyes, and there’s a fire in the cockpit. Struggle with the door, get it open, and get out in four or five seconds.

There are some burns, and I spent some time in the hospital, but it was nothing like it could have been. I could have been killed on impact or burned alive. The good Lord was looking after us.

So you realize every day is a blessing. There is a purpose. You talk to family and friends, and you think there is something you’re supposed to do.

About eight weeks ago, I opened my mouth and told my friend that I think next time there is an election, I’ll run for office. Three days later, Bradley Byrne steps down to take the appointment. The election is not three years later, it’s now. So my friend calls, asks if I’m going to run, and and I say, “I think it’s time.” I call friends and tell them I’m thinking about running, and they say, “I think it’s a good idea.” I’ve gotten a lot of help and encouragement from a lot of people.

You love your country, love your state, love your county, and you believe you can make a difference. Don’t take anything for granted. A state senator can make a difference.

Anything else you’d like to say?

Well… since you asked… people who know me know I’m a faithful, loyal, and good person, and that I can do a good job representing people of Baldwin County in the legislature for a bright future for all of us. I will take a fresh perspective and a whole lot of common sense to Montgomery.

Friends say, “Talk in sound bites,” and I don’t think I’ve done that, but that’s not what it’s about. This is what it’s about.

The winner of the September 11 primary run-off between Trip Pittman and Randy McKinney will face Democrat A. J. Cooper in the special general election on October 16.

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