Alabama Politics in
Doc’s Political Parlor
& Home of Lawn Mower Repair

Johnny Ford used to be a lot of things. He used to be Tuskegee’s Mayor. He used to be a state Representative. He used to be a Democrat before he became the first black Republican legislator since Reconstruction.

Now, he used to be a Republican as he is a Democrat again, this time running for Senate District 28. The seat is currently held by Democrat Myron Penn who is undecided about running again.

This and several other updates are noted in the 2010 Senate Elections Directory, the 2010 House Elections Directory, and the 2010 Big List.

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Now that Jay Love, the GOP nominee for CD-2 in 2008, has officially announced his decision to run for re-election for state House District 74, who are the leading candidates to claim the Congressional seat back for the Republicans? Martha Roby?

Bobby Bright’s narrow victory last year marked the first time a Democrat won the seat since George Grant last won re-election in 1962.

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Brian at Flashpoint tells us that Republican Cheryl Baswell Guthrie is contemplating a 2010 campaign for the 5th Congressional District against freshman Democrat Parker Griffith. She lost the nomination for the seat in 2008 to Wayne Parker. No indication, Brian says, that Wayne Parker wants to be the nominee for the 4th time.

I have updated the 2010 Big List accordingly.

While I’m at it, I’ll mention that I updated the 2010 House Elections Directory with several additions over the weekend.

Also, April Weaver has officially announced her campaign for House District 49 that is being vacated by Cam Ward. You may read her press release here in Word format.

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The initial rendition of the 2010 House Election Directory makes its debut today. The primaries are about a year away; candidates are lining up support and raising money. Who is running in what districts? Who might be running? We do our best to keep up with all 105 state House districts.

Check it out here.

This effort is not possible without the considerable input of many others, and I am grateful for their help. Your help in keeping the information current will also be appreciated; I can be reached via the contact page in the sidebar.

The 2010 Senate Election Directory is here.

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• 2010 Senate Election 511

Those interested in who the next Speaker of the Alabama House maybe should read, The Shoals place in the Statehouse at the Times Daily.

Marcel Black seems likely but then Demetrius Newton might have something to say about it.

Should be some interesting maneuvering going on and lots of imponderables.

Edit: 20:29 CDT fixed links they should clicketly click

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This site is an ongoing effort to contribute to the understanding, discussion, and flow of information around Alabama politics and policy. Toward that end, early in the legislative session I thought, “It seems like a little effort could make archived recordings of the House and Senate proceedings available to interested parties.”

I figured the occasional researcher might have interest. Perhaps a legislator who didn’t get to hear the discussion of his/her bill in the other chamber. A reporter now and then. I never figured there would be a stampede to the recordings, but I figured a few folks would be really glad to find them.

I didn’t announce the effort to make it happen early in the process because I knew there were a lot of issues to work out, technical hurdles, and we just weren’t sure how it would work out. I hated to announce it to find that we could not reliably make it happen.

Well, the effort might not have been as little as imagined, and truth be told, it was Walt who makes so many things happen around the Parlor who took the idea and ran with it. It was really quite an undertaking on Walt’s part, writing scripts, experimenting with different software, dealing with the headaches of power outages, and so on. But starting from Day 9 in the House and Day 10 in the Senate (the session is 30 days), we got most of the audio in both chambers.

So if you have curiosity to satiate, insomnia to cure, iPods to fill… heck, parts are mind-numbing enough that you could might could use them to extract a confession from someone… head on over to the 2009 Legislative Audio page and check it out.^* House and Senate podcasts, if you will… no special equipment needed though.

        LINK: 2009 Legislative Audio Page

More information is good.

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ALFA, or more accurately the Alabama Farmers Federation, endorsed Phil Williams who secured the GOP nomination for House District 6 tonight.

I thought you might be interested in what John Pudner, the Director of External Affairs for the Alabama Farmers Federation, had to say in an email he sent out tonight after the election.

The email is reprinted here with his permission.

(more…)

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• HD 6: Askins and Williams Win Nominations

According to unofficial results from the Madison County election site (with 23 of 24 precincts counted), Phil Williams wins the GOP nomination for House District 6 today. Glenn Watson fell a few dozen votes short of forcing a run-off.

On the Democratic side, Jenny Rhodes Askins wins the Democratic nomination without a run-off.

The two will face off July 14 in the general election.

UNOFFICIAL SUMMARY REPORT                         SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION
                                                  MADISON COUNTY
                                                  MAY 26, 2009
RUN DATE:05/26/09 08:38 PM                        STATISTICS

                                             VOTES PERCENT

 PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 24) .  .  .  .  .        23   95.83
 BALLOTS CAST - TOTAL.  .  .  .  .  .  .     2,376
 BALLOTS CAST - DEMOCRATIC .  .  .  .  .       760   31.99
 BALLOTS CAST - REPUBLICAN .  .  .  .  .     1,616   68.01

                                                  MADISON COUNTY
                                                  MAY 26, 2009
RUN DATE:05/26/09 08:38 PM                        DEMOCRATIC

                                             VOTES PERCENT

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 6
    (WITH 23 OF 24 PRECINCTS COUNTED 95.83%)
 JENNY RHODES ASKINS .  .  .  .  .  .  .       469   61.71
 ED SASAN.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        51    6.71
 SHAWN TERRY.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       240   31.58
    Over Votes .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
   Under Votes .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

                                                  MADISON COUNTY
                                                  MAY 26, 2009
RUN DATE:05/26/09 08:38 PM                        REPUBLICAN

                                             VOTES PERCENT

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 6
    (WITH 23 OF 24 PRECINCTS COUNTED 95.83%)
 TOMMY CARTER  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       331   20.48
 FRANK L. PRABEL III .  .  .  .  .  .  .        54    3.34
 GLENN WATSON  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       393   24.32
 PHIL WILLIAMS .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .       838   51.86
    Over Votes .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0
   Under Votes .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         0

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• HD 6 Special Election Primary Today

A story to keep an eye on today is the primary for the special election in north Alabama in House District 6. This is to fill the vacancy created by the conviction of Democrat Sue Schmitz on federal fraud charges.

One report heard here (more anecdotal than empirical) is that, with the rain and on a day following a holiday, the turnout is miserably low even by special election standards.

Jenny Rhodes Askins, voter registrar, has been expected to run strong among the three Democrats, perhaps avoiding a runoff with firefighter Shawn Terry. The folks-I-know who are most-in-the-know look for a runoff on the Republican side between former city councilman Glenn Watson and businessman Phil Williams. That said, miserably low turnout can make just about any unexpected result happen. We’ll know in a few hours.

The general election will be July 14 if there is no runoff. Otherwise the runoff is July 14 and the general election will be Sept. 1.

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Those who want to examine every tea leaf for its meaning may want to hear the audio of Seth Hammett’s announcement in the House chamber today that he would not run for re-election in 2010.

The Andalusia Democrat explained that, with fundraising for next year’s campaigns beginning on June 1 and election season after that, he wanted to go ahead and announce his decision. Though he explained the timing of his decision, he did not offer any particular reason for his decision.

At the beginning of this audio clip, Hammett has passed the gavel to Speaker Pro Tempore Demetrius Newton. Hammett was fairly brief, to the point, and largely sentiment-free (though he does say that it has been the “highest honor of my life to serve as your Speaker.”) After his remarks, he moved for final adjournment and the House audio began to play “Happy Trails.”

Click to listen.

Hammett, one of our most statesmanlike legislators, has been Speaker of the House since 1999.

I would have included the audio in this earlier post if my fat fingers had not fumbled away my original audio recording.

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• Hammett: Decision is 'Final and Irrevocable'
• BREAKING: Speaker of the House Retiring
• Alabama's Most Statesmanlike Legislators

Before the House adjourned to close out this year’s session this afternoon, Speaker of the House Seth Hammett (D - Andalusia) handed the gavel over to Speaker Pro Tempore Demetrius Newton, came into the well, and told the body that he was not going to run for re-election in 2010. He said his decision was “final and irrevocable.”

You read it here first.

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• BREAKING: Speaker of the House Retiring
• Alabama's Most Statesmanlike Legislators

Speaker of the House Seth Hammett (D - Andalusia) has been telling those around him that he will not run for re-election and that the announcement will be today, according to two sources. The Speaker’s office confirms to the Parlor that Hammett has an announcement planned sometime today “depending on what happens in the chamber.”

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• Alabama's Most Statesmanlike Legislators

Who are Alabama’s most statesmanlike legislators?

I put that question to a broad range of politicos who have first hand experience with our state legislature - including Senators, Representatives, lobbyists, and other Montgomery insiders. While they were free to interpret “statesmanlike” as they wished, I suggested that it is marked by class, dignity, and a willingness to put good public policy above partisan politics.

Most enthusiastically participated, though many contributors echoed the sentiment of one legislator who told me, “Please keep my reply anonymous. I have to work with the others [that are not on his list].”

A legislator who previewed this list told me, “Probably as good a list as you can come up with. Like all humans, each have great strong points and some weaknesses. Thank you for taking time to point out there are a few good ones up here on Goat Hill.”

Many contributors did not offer comments, but I included some remarks from those who did.

On with the list…

House Dems

(more…)

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Rep. Cam Ward gives us a first hand account of the unusual day yesterday in the state House.

In our Legislative Dispatch section.

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• Photos: House Meets in Old Capitol
• Photos: Senate Meets in Old Capitol
• Flood Shuts Down State House - Updated

A pause for Friday frivolity…

Enough of you checked out the Senate Roll Call Vote Ringtone that I put up last month, that I figured why not go ahead and put up its companion: an Alabama State House Roll Call ringtone.

This comes from a roll call of House attendance early in the session. The names come quite fast compared to the Senate roll call vote ringtone.

After I put up the Senate version, I appreciated the good feedback from the political diehards who enjoy the ridiculous fun of having your phone start barking legislators’ names. It does turn heads. If you are more of a House person than Senate, here’s your chance.

I am not great about knowing how to help you get it to your phone, but I (or someone else) would probably be willing to try if you asked in comments. (The ringtone is free except for whatever fee your cell phone company may charge you to get the tone to your phone.)

Download it here (right click to ‘Save as…’ or left click to listen).

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• Your Very Own Alabama Senate Roll Call Ringtone

Because of yesterday’s flood, the legislature met in the old state Capitol for the first time in over 20 years.

Seth Hammett presides over the House:

It was hot enough that suit coats and blazers were quickly shed:
(more…)

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• Photos: Senate Meets in Old Capitol
• Flood Shuts Down State House - Updated

The State House has been evacuated because of flooding. Elevators are shut down. ABC 33/40 has reported on the air that the power has been shut off and that basement walls “may be compromised”

This was a particularly important day for passing bills with enough time for them to pass in the other chamber before the end of the session.

Some pictures:

(more…)

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Responding to an email message, Rep. Ron Grantland (D - Hartselle) did his best impersonation of Dick Cheney speaking rudely to Sen. Patrick Leahy. Unlike Cheney, Grantland apologized after suggesting that the recipient perform an anatomical impossibility.

WAFF.com reports that Grantland said, “The e-mail was from somebody named Amigo and it started out talking about Mexicans, so I thought it was a prank, and I just responded like it was a prank.” The unamused recipient in Rutledge said that he will file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office and is calling for Grantland’s resignation.

Don’t you have a feeling that this will follow Grantland around? I imagine that, if no one else, many fellow legislators will not let him live that one down for a while.

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Rep. Spencer Collier (R - Irvington) released a statement about his vote for the BIR on HB 116 to remove the state portion of sales tax on groceries.

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• Sales Tax on Groceries: Status Quo or No

Democrat Deborah Bell Paseur acknowledged to the Parlor that she is considering running for the House District 1 seat that is expected to become open if and when Rep. Tammy Irons (D - Florence) announces her candidacy for Senate District 1. Paseur expects to “make a definite decision in the next few weeks.” She added that once you get involved in politics, sometimes people just assume you will step up for a position like this, and she will be “deciding if that’s really something I should do from a personal and professional standpoint.”

In 2008, Paseur lost a close Supreme Court race to Republican Greg Shaw.

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• Last Encore for the Singing Senator?

A follow-up to this post… West Point Mayor Kenneth Kilgo announced Saturday at a meeting of Cullman County Republicans that he will challenge Democratic incumbent James Fields for the HD 12 seat.

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• ADECA Chief Considers Run for Governor

Bill Johnson, head of ADECA, is telling people that this summer he will form an exploratory committee as he considers running for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2010.

Also, this item (with emphasis added) is from today’s Cullman Times Community Calendar section (link not available):

The Cullman County Republicans will meet at 8 a.m. for buffet breakfast (dutch treat) with meeting at 8:45 a.m. Speakers will be Bill Johnson, director for ADECA, possible 2010 candidate for governor; and Kenneth Kilgo, mayor of West Point and director of local Red Cross, possible 2010 candidate.

Johnson ran against John Ashcroft for U.S. Senator from Missouri in 1994, and his unusual background would no doubt liven up the race.

Incidentally, the Cullman-area rumor is that Kilgo (mentioned above in the calendar item) will run as a Republican against Democratic incumbent James Fields in state House District 12.

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State Rep. Cam Ward (R - Alabaster) is announcing his candidacy for the state Senate today tomorrow. I am tickled that besides his announcements in Clanton, Centreville, and Helena, Rep. Ward also stopped by the Parlor to announce his candidacy. Ward is one of the Parlor’s resident legislative bloggers for this session (along with Democratic House Majority Leader Ken Guin. Their blog posts can be found here.)

Rep. Ward is running for the Senate District 14 seat currently held by Hank Erwin (R - Montevallo). Erwin is announcing his candidacy for Lt. Governor today.

The conversation here touched on his tenure in the House, issues he brings to his Senate candidacy, his blogging here at the Parlor, and the outlook for Republicans in the state, among other things.

I will type up Ward’s comments and share them with you as soon as possible.  In the meantime, here is the text of his release (which is dated tomorrow):

(more…)

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You can help persuade state Rep. Robert Bentley (R - Tuscaloosa) to run for Governor in 2010 by visiting the “Draft Robert Bentley for Alabama Governor” website.

Persuasion might be a manageable task; he was 90% sure in January that he was going to run.

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This article at the Dothan Eagle tells me that each senator was sent a memo from the Secretary of the Senate asking if the legislator wanted to receive the raise.

In his Tuscaloosa News article Dana Beyerle tells the same occurred in the House, where some declined the raise (to which we can add Harri Anne Smith).

And on a semi-related note, Sunday’s Alabama Exposure blog/column (also by Beyerle) notes Governor’s pay may be a factor who runs (or not) for office.

I realize in there are more important issues facing us, however, is it too idealistic to expect elected officials to be motivated by more than their own pocket or should we accept they are human after all.

4/10/09:
Add Sen. Ted Little and Rep. Patricia Todd to the list of those who have refused the pay raise.

4/15/09:

Rep. Betty Carol Graham  opts out of the pay raise as does Rep. Terry Spicer

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What state legislators exemplify statesmanship?

We often hear about and complain about pettiness, bickering, gamesmanship and other negative stories coming from the state legislature. So I have wondered… what legislators are most statesmanlike?

For a forthcoming list to be presented here, I am canvassing a roundtable of politicos who have firsthand experience with the legislature - senators, representatives, lobbyists, and the like - to get their opinions on which senators and representatives regularly exhibit statesmanship. I welcome other definitions of statesmanship, but I suggest that it is marked by class and dignity and by those who put good public policy above partisan politics.

While the responses are coming in and the list is coming together, I am interested to know if your perch gives you a good perspective on which legislators are most statesmanlike. If so, chime in below. Or use the contact page to contact me directly.

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Gov. Riley has set the calendar for the special election in HD 6, our fourth special election in the state legislature this year. This one is to fill the vacancy created by the recent conviction of state Rep. Sue Schmitz (D - Madison).

The primary will be on May 26th, the general election or any necessary run-off will be on July 14th, and the general election will be September 1st in the event of a primary run-off.

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• Early Look at HD 6 Candidates
• Schmitz Found Guilty on Seven Felony Counts

Qualifying for candidates for Senate District 19 ends today at 5 pm.

Democrats who have turned in qualifying papers so far:

• Louise Alexander of the Bessemer City Council
• Rep. Merika Coleman of House District 57
• Rep. Priscilla Dunn of House District 56
• Lawrence McAdory also of Bessemer. Dunn defeated McAdory in a run for the state House, and I was told that subsequently he “runs every time she runs for something.”
• Rep. Rod Scott of House District 55

More applications are expected, particularly from former state Rep. Eric Major who lost his seat to Rod Scott in 2006.

The early money is on a runoff between Coleman and Dunn though I’m told that Scott’s House District has more voters in SD 19 than either of Coleman and Dunn’s districts.

No Republicans have yet qualified. The GOP would not be expected to be competitive for this seat.

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State Rep. Mike Ball (R - Huntsville) tells the Parlor that “good Republican candidates are coming out of the woodwork” and offers names of people he has talked to who are “pretty certain they are running.”

Names and comments from Rep. Ball:

1. Glenn Watson. Two-time Huntsville City Councilman. High name ID, although he’s known for occasionally putting his foot in his mouth. A strong campaigner.
2. Shawn Terry. Roofing contractor & volunteer fireman. Very well though of in the community. Will have the support of County Commissioner Dale Strong & others.
3. Frank Prabel III. Boeing Program Manager. Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer. I’ve never met a CWO that didn’t have his ducks in a row.
4. Tommy Carter. Not the former State Rep from Limestone County, this is the retired Madison County Chief Deputy under former Republican Sheriff Joe Whisante. Well-known, well-respected.

Watson and Prabel also told the Huntsville Times they are definitely in the race.

On the Democratic side, the Huntsville Times mentioned Andy Whitt as a possible candidate. Whitt is a vice president for the First National Bank of Pulaski, TN, and works in the bank’s Ardmore office.

The special election was made necessary by the felony conviction of Sue Schmitz (D - Toney). Most observers agree that the district is trending Republican and that it may be a pickup opportunity for the Republicans in the House.

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• First HD 6 Candidate
• Schmitz Found Guilty on Seven Felony Counts

The Huntsville Times site tells us that former Huntsville City Councilman Glenn Watson intends to run for the HD 6 seat made vacant by the conviction of Sue Schmitz (D - Madison). He’ll run as a Republican.

No date has been set for the election.

Who else will run?

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• Schmitz Found Guilty on Seven Felony Counts