HD 12 Reports Coming In - Updated: Fields Wins
Early returns are encouraging for Democrat James Fields in the House District 12 special election.
Our man in the field reports that with 10 boxes in (out of 30+), it’s James Fields (D) at 1211 votes and Wayne Willingham (R) at 894.
Update: People on both sides of the aisle tell me it’s going to be a Fields win.
Update (8:05 pm): All quarters agree, Fields wins. One GOP’er said, “Fields won by a significant margin.” Another called it “a landslide.”
Update (8:57 pm): With 32 of 38 boxes counted, the power went out. Totals at that point, according to our man in the field, were Fields at 3021 votes (59.3%), Willingham 2070 votes (40.7%). The final may be slow coming depending on how long the power stays out.
Republican Party Statement on House District 12
Birmingham – “Tonight a Democrat seat stayed the status quo” said Rep. Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) Alabama Republican Party Chairman. “This only strengthens our resolve to end the era of control exerted by the AEA and Paul Hubbert over the Alabama Legislature” Hubbard added.
HD12 Special Democratic Party Press Release
Democratic Chair Joe Turnham Congratulates James Fields on His Incredible Victory in HD 12
Loss Delivers Serious Blow to Riley and Republican 2010 Effort to take Legislature
Cullman, AL – Alabama Democratic Chairman Joe Turnham was on hand in Cullman to share the returns and congratulate Democrat James Fields in his stunning win in Cullman’s special election for House District 12 Tuesday. Turnham noted that Fields’ outstanding record of community service, grassroots campaigning and civic involvement, as well as his solid character as a pastor, marine, retired state employee and servant of the people, inspired persons across political boundaries to vote him into office.
“The people of Cullman County and Alabama won tonight,” said Turnham. “James Fields’ positive message of hope, values and tackling the problems facing the people of District 12 rang true with voters.” Despite massive amounts of money, outside campaigning, negative mail pieces, and phone calls by Republicans, as well as the personal efforts of Party Chair and Rep. Mike Hubbard and Gov. Bob Riley, the voters of Cullman County – democrats, republicans and independents - made their own choice in James Fields.
Turnham said that Fields’ victory delivers a crushing blow to fledgling Alabama Republican efforts by way of their 2010 project to take over the legislature. In this weekend’s Birmingham News, ALGOP Communications Director Philip Bryan was quoted as saying, “It’s a very big race for us because it kind of kicks the year off and will kind of put us in the driver’s seat for the rest of the year and fulfill what we want to do on the way to 2010″. Turnham however retorted “that good candidates like James Fields, who know the people of their district and who inspire what is good and decent in them, will prevail over republican money and outside interference in democratic districts. Tonight’s results have to be devastating to the GOP and to their leadership, including the Governor.” Republicans are now only 1 for 5 in special elections for house seats in the past 34 months, and since 2006 Democratic candidates have won two special house elections decisively by double digits.
“James Fields will wake up tomorrow ready to go to work for all the people of Cullman County,” concluded Turnham.
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Any new updates?
Comment by Anonymous — January 29, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
my, look at that indian run…
Comment by anonymous — January 29, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
its just a flesh wound, come back and fight…
And coming soon, electrons will be tortured as the inevitable “coulda been, shoulda beens” begins and stage IV smug alerts will be required.
Comment by walt moffett — January 29, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
Lost another race. Regardless of whether John Pudner and ALFA align with the Democrats (Joe Carothers) or with the GOPers, they cannot win one.
Comment by ALFA — January 29, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
or the winning candidates that ALFA support like Scott Beason come back and bite them in the ass.
Comment by Anonymous — January 29, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
… and another loss for Bob Riley and Mike Hubbard
Comment by Anonymous — January 29, 2008 @ 9:10 pm
As of about 9:15, the Cullman Times is reporting Fields: 3,021 votes (59.08%), Willingham: 2,070 (40.49%) votes with 32 of 38 boxes counted.
Ballots are being hand counted since the court house computer is down.
Comment by walt moffett — January 29, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Not this time. I do not know about the ALFA thing or how involved they were in the race. But, grassroots consultant wanna-be Chris Brown and his crew took another loss tonight. They lost at the recent GOP Winter meeting and they lost again tonight. Sad.
Comment by Biggest LOSER — January 29, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
This is a huge loss for GOP Chair and Gov. If you can’t beat a black man in Cullman, then it must say something about your ability to win elections. They declared this race the first of the 2010 cycle and they lost big time. This should have a chilling effect on their fundraising goal of 7 million for the 2010 leg. races. In sec football terms, you can’t stay coach long if you lose games you should win. Repubs have to be wondering if it is time for Mike to go as chair.
Comment by Anonymous — January 29, 2008 @ 9:32 pm
Mike Hubbard has raised more money than any party chair in history. Democrats WISH he would leave!
Comment by Wishful Thinking — January 29, 2008 @ 9:34 pm
I think if Mike keeps up this track record Dems will be happy if Mike stays as chair.
Comment by Anonymous — January 29, 2008 @ 9:37 pm
Well, It seems as though the only thing Hubbard knows
how ot say is AEA union boss Paul Hubbert is goinfg to get his rear kicked. It seems to me that Hubbard ought to realize that it is said that over 40% of AEA
membership is Rep. He keeps kicking them in the teeth
(want to use another word here) so what does he expect? It’s killing them also to know that McCain is
winning as they view him as NOT A “TRUE CONSERVATIVE” whatever that means. I think it’s funny as hell. If I was a Republican candidate I think the last thing I would want is Bob and Mike coming to campaign for me.
The only rear getting kicked right now is theirs.
Comment by poljunkie — January 29, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
Is Joe Turnham’s brother in jail yet?
Comment by Joe T — January 29, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
This is wonderful for the people of Cullman. They picked the better man and made history as well today. Fields campaigned positively, on the issues.
And maybe the Republicans might want to think about fielding better candidates, rather than drawing from the Council of Conservative Citizens and Southern Party. Hate and negative spin aren’t working as well as they used to.
Comment by Helen — January 29, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
The man with the plan took down the man from the klan. I’ve been waiting a while to say that.
Sweet, sweet victory.
Comment by SamfordDem — January 29, 2008 @ 11:02 pm
Congratulations Dems… We should have had this one but our leadership needs to get a new message.
This old school “blame it on the Dems isn’t working”.
The Senate Repubs held up the last 3 sessions and want to hold up more. It’s time for someone to lead. I have seen men that have the ability to work with both sides of the aisle for the growth of our state. I hope those men will stand up and those standing up now will sit down. We (R’S) are in a leadership vacum. Very poor planning and the message isn’t selling. There is more to this than just poor old Paul Hubbert. Hubbard needs to define what he wants to do and quit whining about Paul Hubbard. Hell, he has the Governor of this state going door to door for his candidates and they are getting thier asses kicked right and left. Now if their message is “the annointed” message, why is this happening???? I will tell you why. People are smarter than they think and can see through the smoke screen. It’s about jobs, education, border control, health care, and many other vital intrests in our state. It’s JUST NOT LET”S GO OUT THERE AND KICK PAUL HUBBERT”S ASS. Get a real messsage, grow some leadership. put together coalitions and we will see a goverment that does something…
Comment by poljunkie — January 29, 2008 @ 11:32 pm
James Fields is a fine man. His support crossed party lines. Just congratulate him and wish him well.
Comment by John Killian — January 29, 2008 @ 11:36 pm
What next?
Riley to Canary’s girls: Make James Fields go away!
????
Comment by Anonymous — January 29, 2008 @ 11:39 pm
The Cullman Times has the following quote from Willingham:
“The other candidate didn’t talk about no issues, so I don’t understand what it is people want.”
Glad to see that the Republican candidate is such a great master of the King’s English. This makes President Bush look like a great orator.
Comment by Anonymous — January 30, 2008 @ 12:42 am
Right here on the Parlor, GOP Chair and House Republican leader Mike Hubbard told Danny, “House District 12 is going to be critical. It is very, very important…”
Then, this morning’s quote: “Tonight a Democrat seat stayed the status quo” said Rep. Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) Alabama Republican Party Chairman.
What a difference a day makes…
Bob Riley and Mike Hubbard: Keeping Democratic seats Democrat since 2002
Comment by Anonymous — January 30, 2008 @ 8:07 am
Danny - remind me to never again make any assumptions on races I know nothing about . . .
I think once again the ability of the state Democratic Party to turn out voters has been demonstrated, and the impotence of the Alabama GOP on the same point is embarrasingly evident again . . .
Huge embarrassment for Mike Hubbard and the Governor. Did Dax Swatek and David Azbell have any involvement in this campaign? Anyone know? I had heard Chris Brown was the guy here . . .whoever it was has a big black hole on their resume . . .
Congrats to the Demos. Once again they have hogtied and wedgied the GOP . . .
Comment by Anonymous — January 30, 2008 @ 8:23 am
I was told from a knowledgeable source that it was Chris Brown and ALFA’s race all the way. Aztek was not involved from what I understand.
Comment by Anonymous — January 30, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Because Brown/ALFA’s candidate (Willingham) beat the Aztek/BCA candidate (Floyd) in the runoff.
Comment by Anonymous — January 30, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Yikes, is the quote in #19 for real? How embarrassing.
Comment by Margaret — January 30, 2008 @ 9:36 am
The quote is real, but the assertion is false. James Fields talked about nothing but issues. Willingham is a disgrace to Cullman County.
Comment by SamfordDem — January 30, 2008 @ 11:07 am
Post #9 is kind of embarassing too:
If you can’t beat a black man in Cullman, then it must say something about your ability to win elections.
Comment by Anonymous — January 30, 2008 @ 11:14 am
so who is going to win Super Tuesday?
Comment by Anonymous — January 30, 2008 @ 12:36 pm