Byrne Announces Campaign for Governor
 Posted by Danny, on May 27th, 2009, at 9:27 am No surprises in Bradley Byrne’s announcement today: he’s running for Governor.
Here is the release from his campaign.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 27, 2009
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BRADLEY BYRNE ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA
Conservative Republican Reformer will focus on Ethics Reform, Education and Economic Development
(Mobile, AL) - Bradley Byrne, Chancellor of the Alabama Two-Year College System, announced his candidacy for the office of Governor of Alabama this morning at a rally in Spanish Fort, the first stop in a four-city opening day campaign tour of the state. Byrne, 54, had previously served on the State Board of Education and represented Baldwin County in the State Senate prior to his appointment as Chancellor by Governor Bob Riley in 2007.
"Alabama needs a proven conservative reformer to lead our state in the coming term that begins the second decade of the 21st century. I have been tested, I am proven and I am ready. With my wife and children standing with me, just eight miles from where my great-great-great grandfather settled in the 1780’s, it is with great humility that I offer my candidacy to be the next Governor of the state of Alabama," said Byrne.
Byrne announced his candidacy at the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center. He is taking his announcement tour to the Capitol in Montgomery, a Birmingham airport press conference, and will complete the tour at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.
After announcing his intention to resign as Chancellor of the Two-Year College System last week, Byrne said "it is time for me to take the reform fight to a new arena."
"We have made great strides in cleaning out the corruption of the Two-Year College System. I was honored to work for the people of Alabama and return the system to its proper core mission – the training and education of Alabamians. And now, I will take our fight for reform to the next level," continued Byrne.
"The Byrne for Alabama campaign will place a command focus on the Three E’s: Ethics Reform, Education and Economic Development. The people cannot place their faith in a government that refuses to pass real ethics reforms. Our children deserve and will receive the best education we can provide them, regardless of the special-interests’ demands for themselves. Alabama is well-equipped to come out of these hard economic times as a national leader among the states due to our people and our promise," said Byrne.
"We will not tax our way out of economic challenges, we will not spend our way out of the recession, and Alabama will not depend on the federal government to provide our way out. We must find our own way, with our own resources and ingenuities, and today I offer my candidacy to lead Alabama into this next decade," concluded Byrne.
"I pledge to the people of Alabama I will fight for them every single day. I won’t back down."
Bradley Byrne and his wife Rebecca have been married for 28 years. They are the parents of four children. Byrne’s campaign website at www.ByrneForAlabama.com provides biographical information, a high resolution profile picture as well as social network opportunities for the media and public to consider in following the campaign.
Following are locations and times for the Bradley Byrne Announcement Events today:
Mobile – 8:45 am remarks
Five Rivers – Alabama’s Delta Resource Center
30945 Five Rivers Blvd.
Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Montgomery – 11:45 am remarks
Alabama State Capitol
Steps on Dexter Avenue side
Montgomery, AL 36130
2:30 pm Press Conference
Atlantic Aviation East Conference Room
3:00 pm Greet supporters onsite
4725 65th Place North
Birmingham, AL 35206
Huntsville – 5:00 pm remarks
US Space and Rocket Center
Space Shuttle Exhibit
One Tranquility Base
Huntsville, AL 35805
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Paid for by Byrne for Alabama, 22489 Sea Cliff Drive, Fairhope AL 36532
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records of candidates? please tell me what record tim james has. i am not saying that is bad – in fact – it may be to his advantage that he has nothing to pick apart.
http://www.wsfa.com/global/story.asp?s=10432046
I just read this on wsfa.com. Nice and smart move by Artur Davis. Shows he wants to be civil….for now. No one wants to start off looking like an jerk after all. He (Davis) still seems to totally ignore James, however..which I find odd.
Also – I saw Byrne’s announcement in Montgomery. He used the word conservative republican so I think we can expect him to keep saying that… also, he took AEA head on…good for him. You could see Winton Blount and some other financial heavy hitters in the audience – I think Byrne will be well financed. In terms of James, he can raise a little but if need be, he can self finance.
Anyone heard from lil ole ronny sparks lately???
2010 you are correct in that Tim James has a far shorter public record than Byrne. He hasn’t held office, which is of course a plus and a minus. Byrne has, and his record is relatively clear: he is one of the more moderate Republicans in the state. That is not necessarily a bad thing; it depends on the direction of the GOP for the future. To define it in throwback terms, if the Rockefeller Republicans triumph over the Goldwaters it favors Bradley. If the Goldwaters win, it favors James.
James is certainly a conservative all the way, though. I don’t think there is any doubt of that even with the shorter public resume. But he does not sport the “black and white” public record we have for Byrne. Byrne is the more known quantity.
#51–as someone not familiar with Bradley Byrne’s record, i was wondering if you could give a few examples about what makes Byrne a moderate. All I know about him is that I think he supported Riley’s Amendment One back in 2003.
I find all the bashing of Byrne for switching parties by apparent James supporters somewhat funny. Wasn’t Fob one of the original switchers in Alabama Politics?
You have two identified James supporters on this discussion page–Sam Ryals and John Killian. Neither of us have been beating up on Byrne for switching parties. Heck, most GOPers were Democrats at one time.
Speaking for myself only, I much prefer most of these old Democrats who were Jim Allen Democrats over the milquetoast brand of the current crop of Republican leaders.
However, on the issue of party switching—Strange Luther attacked George Wallace Jr for running as a Democrat in 1992–running ads that said that George “ran on a ticket with Bill Clinton.”
Don’t you think that the same country club group who funded Strange Luther are now flocking toward Bradley Byrne who really did support Clinton in 1992?
In 1980, then-Governor Fob James (elected as a Democrat) refused to endorse Democratic President Jimmy Carter. Gov Wallace did not endorse Carter in the 1980 General Election nor Mondale in the 1984 General Election. So, when you talk about former Democrats, you need to specify if you are talking old-line conservative Democrats or liberal Democrats.
I am so tired of hearing about amend 1 – that issue is the most exploited I have heard of in a long, long time. years later it still comes up. we were given the opportunity to vote – it did not pass….period.
The only people who are saying that Byrne is a moderate are those who are for another candidate. The truth is that he has been a conservative voice within the state school board, state senate, and education system. He has been for local control, limited government, family values, and fiscal responsibility at every turn.
Hurray for Bradley Byrne!
For #52: Byrne is a moderate because he backed Bill Clinton (with money as well as support); he backed the Amendment One tax hike; he refused to vote against the “bingo for books” gambling expansion legislation as a senator; he sponsored a stateiwde property tax hike, etc.
I don’t see how those issues are that hard to grasp.
That’s a pretty moderate record for an Alabama Republican. It would be well to the left of most in the legislature. Even his wife has identified Bradley as a “moderate.” This isn’t a label he has repudiated.
“post 41 – your same comments are made over and over by you – give it a rest.”
You must be thinking of somebody else. I have never wrote that before.
#33, mr. jinks – i have a little experience in the game, and you are 100% correct.
41, 59 and 60…mark is it??? thanks for your updates.
Anon at #59 – These are not hard to grasp reasons as to why Byrne might be labeled a moderate. It’s just some people who haven’t followed the career of Bradley Byrne at every move don’t know what makes him a moderate yet.
by those benchmarks – i guess bob riley is not a conservative either – but a moderate. this is crazy.
A conservative is someone who adheres to the conservative principles of limited government (not NO government), low taxes (not No taxes), and family values. Bradley Byrne has consistently done that in his various roles in public life. If we’re making national comparisons, let’s not overlook the similarities between Tim James and George W. Bush. I think we’ve had enough of the legacy system.
Bradley Byrne is on WVNN with Dale Jackson right now – he describes himself as a conservative. Byrne also says that he was “never a Clinton delegate” to the Democratic Convention – and doesn’t know where that rumor started…
Byrne is pro-life, also pro-gun, pro-death penalty, anti-gambling.
Byrne supports ethics reform (ban double-dipping, ban PAC to PAC).
Byrne on taxes: 4-year property tax appraisals, Beason’s incremental grocery tax reduction.
Today is Byrne’s last day as Chancellor.
From WVNN interview with Dale Jackson (audio available later today).
Nice update, Reactionary.
Hey 2010 I guess you think Mrs. Bradley Byrne is “crazy.” She labeled him a “moderate” in an interview with the Mobile Press Register.
I don’t think it is a bad thing Bradley Byrne is a moderate. He represents a branch of thought in the GOP. It is one of two competing strains.
I wrote post #50 but not #60 and Danny can confirm this, 2010. You are wrong.
OOps – I was wrong. That shpuld have read “I wrote post 59 and not post 60 and Danny can confirm that.” Don’t make so many assumptions about post authorship, 2010.
As an off hand note, 2010, I woncer why someone would post right after me and try to appear to be the author of my post? Danny, did 2010 post at #60?
I’m going to e-mail Danny and ask that 2010.
There were some comments in moderation that changed the numbering when they were approved.
I understand that anonymous from (now) comment #73 is asking if Mark in (now) comment #62 is the same poster as 2010, and I have no reason to believe that is true.
Perhaps Mark was talking about comment #42. Sorry the numbering got off a bit.
I think it’s very telling that both the Democratic Party and Paul Hubbert (redundant, I know) made statements yesterday attacking Bradley Byrne. Plus, Davis made a classy comment congratulating him, etc.
The dems haven’t blinked at any action from a GOP candidate up until now. I think Byrne is hitting them right in the mouth and they are scared to death of a Byrne administration. I’m speaking of the Dem/AEA establishment, not Davis.
A James administration? I guess it remains to be seen, but they sure haven’t seemed to care very much up to this point.
for the second time, how bout somebody tell me how Byrne is wishy washy on gambling….
dear anon posters – if you come up with a name and stick by it….it helps. good grief.
also, glad to hear byrne finally put that clinton delegate rumor to rest, that has gotten old.
I don’t really care if he was a delegate, great he wasn’t. Let’s just stick to the facts here about all of the Candidates. He was once a democrat, so what, he changed parties, if you do not like that don’t vote for the guy. He contributed to Clinton’s campaign, ok. He set on the PACT board that is now in shambles, but he never attended a meeting. When you have real expirience you are going to have positives and negatives. What political expirience does Mr. James have?
i agree, satire.
i don’t know if the james folks will try to use this “he was once a democrat” charge against him or not…if they do, I think it will fail miserably. In terms of PACT – that will fall on Kay Ivey more than anyone. If you don’t believe that, check out the email she just sent out defending herself on that issue as she prepares to run for Governor. And in terms of Amend 1 – that is old news – we had the chance to vote on it and we voted it down – and after all that was Riley’s baby and he sure won re election. I say all that to say this – come up with some better arguments against Byrne because right now, he looks pretty darn good to me.
ron sparks and kay ivey both need an intervention. they actually should switch and run for each other’s jobs. that is something they both possibly could win. Ron for Treasurer – Kay for Ag Commish! (surely Ron has a use for those “Sparks for (fill in the blank) 2010″ signs…)
I saw that Bradley said he was anti-gambling . . .how can he say that? He was on the PACT board . . .:-)
Seriously, BB is vulnerable on gambling too 2010 in regards to some votes in the Senate. He’s not a far-left guy, sure. But he is left of the field in a GOP primary. Voters may go for that. But the attacks on him will be for his squishy positions in the past on taxes, gambling, etc.
if bradley said he was anti gambling and it’s the truth then thats all i need to know….thank you..
the return of CC Dollar – how nice to see you….sort of…..
i think we can all agree we need some daily gambling news on docs…..very nice to see you also, 2010….how does rileys butt smell today? : )
CC Dollar – gambling isn’t a decisive issue for me – I’d just as soon have casinos and the lottery and scratch-offs and video poker. I’m going to stop by the Wind Creek Casino next time I go to the beach (after I stop and get me some Chilton County peaches). That’s my new route to GS / OB.
I don’t like the State creating a monopoly for a few well-connected big dogs.
don’t listen to your lying governor…there are well more than a “few” who hold gaming permits in this state….i believe its 11 or 12 individuals….the governor and his idiots would have you believe there are 3…..
anyone that sees gambling as the main issue in this race lacks clarity…
well you can thank your boy riley for that 2010…he’s the one that made it an issue for many of us…and its not going to go away either..you have my word on that…
i hate to tell you CC, but the majority of folks in this state are not voting on the way a candidate feels about electronic bingo. but you are free to vote on that issue alone.
cc your still a damn south Alabama FOOL! How’s country crossing coming along? When is the opening of the great redneck mecca? I’ll BET it won’t be anytime soon.
According to blogger Stephen Jordan at The Next Right website, Tim James told him that he would absolutely not raise either taxes or state spending as governor, and seemed to suggest he would sign a pledge to that effect. My guess is Byrne would be less absolute on these issues which will give credence to the moderate tag and open a line of attack from James.
People still remember Amendment One in 2003, and the issue will be of renewed importance given the move to return the GOP nationally to conservative principals. We are in one of the reddest states in the nation and the GOP is not going to want to go squishy moderate.
Here is that link to the interesting blog post:
http://www.thenextright.com/stephen-gordon/conservative-messaging-for-alabamas-2010-governors-race
Oh God. I clicked on the link and saw Eagle Forum and didn’t read any further. Bunch of whacks that think the government is spying on them through implants they secretly planted in their brains at birth…..no thank you.
Hard to take this seriously due to the obviously misinformed blogger, but it would be interesting for Tim James to sign a pledge of no new taxes and no expansion of government.
CC – IMO 11 or 12 people is a “few well-connected big dogs”. Yes, I know that it is technically an ‘oligopoly’ instead of a ‘monopoly’, but the point stands – them big dogs seem to have bought a lot of influence.
BTW – I read the Next Right, but some of them are a bit too libertarian for me… Splitters.
Guess folks don’t remember what happened to the candidate who pledged “No new taxes …” come re-election day.
#94 – Tim James already HAS signed a “no new taxes pledge.” And Bradley Byrne cosponsored new taxes in his term as a state senator. You do the math.
au223…son, i’m gonna get you one day for callin me a fool..tell ya what…you meet me at bamajam bout saturday noon..i’ll arrange for us to get on the main stage and arm wrestle….if you need a ticket to get in i’ll arrange for that too….
CC – if you lose the arm wrestle challenge I think you should have to wear a LUTHER FOR LT GOV t-shirt…
i would ask him just to go ahead and kill me if i lose then, 2010 …last time i did something like this the guy showed up and he looked like a mountain..ended up buying him beer all night..bout broke me..lol..au strikes me as being a whimpy little red headed dude…