July 8, 2026 - Voting Rights Act Beginning to End
It is apparent that many Alabamians are confused by all thefuror and hullabaloo surrounding the continuous federal litigation. The shifting of decisions, new election dates, counting of election results, and which congressman or congressional candidate is in which district has created ongoing uncertainty. I have been around Alabama politics a long time and I have never seen a scenario or so much ambiguity as we have foundourselves in this year. All of the turmoil stems from a Louisianian case – Louisiana v. Callais – where it appears that the U.S. Supreme Court is essentially ruling that the 1965 Voting Rights Act is outdated and unconstitutional.
The Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965 in the wake of the 1964 Presidential election. Lyndon B. Johnson had been elected President for a full term of his own in 1964. He ascended to the Presidency after the horrific assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
The country was politically ready for major Civil Rights legislation promised but never delivered by the Kennedy Administration. Kennedy knew that pragmatically, the dismantling of segregation and Jim Crow laws and mores in the South could not be overturned because of the power of the southern block of senators. Because of their seniority and prowess, the senators from the south totally controlled the U.S. Senate. They chaired every major committee, and they were devoted in a dedicated, ironclad block against any Civil Rights or Integration Laws. They were beholden to only white southern voters, as blacks were essentially disenfranchised in the south in 1960.
This group of powerful and distinguished senators were led by Richard Russell and Herman Talmadge of Georgia, Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, Russell Long of Louisiana, John Stennis of Mississippi. Our own erudite team of John Sparkman and Lister Hill were in the Southern block. It was led by one powerful “win at all costs” Majority Leader of the Senate,Lyndon B. Johnson. Texan Johnson was an arch segregationists and anti-Civil Rights southerner. His beloved mentor was Richard Russell of Georgia.
When John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, Johnson, who had been put on the Democratic ticket in order to carry the swing Lone Star State in 1960, ascended to the Presidency. Johnson, who had uncanny inherent political instincts, knew that his path to the White House was through the passage of a major Civil Rights Bill.
Johnson used every ounce of political power he possessed to pass the 1964 Civil Rights Bill. He met with Civil Rights leaders Martin Luther King and Roy Wilkins. From their meetings they could determine from the power-driven political animal, crass, tough Texan, that his heart was not in the mission. His “conversion” was based on pragmatism, not morality. Johnson’s forte was not morality.
Johnson ran over his former southern block of senators in ruthless, less than honorable fashion, and passed the 1964 CivilRights Act. As he signed the monumental law, he looked at the glaring stare of his mentor, Richard Russell, and said prophetically, “I have just signed the south over to the Republican Party for the next 60 years.” He was right, but the Republicans will prevail in the south far past this 60-year plateau.
The 1964 election was a landslide for Lyndon Johnson. He trounced the Republican nominee Barry Goldwater of Arizona. He carried 44 states. The only states he lost were Arizona and the five deep south states of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Johnson came back in 1965 and passed the Voting Rights Act. This legislation only applies to the five states that he lost. It was retribution, rather than equality, that triggered the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Alabama and her sister southern states have been precluded from rightfully and constitutionally drawing our own legislative and congressional districts for 60 years.
The U.S. Supreme Court is determining that the time is up on past discriminatory voting preclusions of black citizens, and that white southern voters are the ones being discriminated against now.
The bottom line is that the Supreme Court has decreed thatAlabama can draw its congressional lines the same way that Massachusetts and California can. Going forward, ultimately, we will have a six to one or seven to zero Republican Congressional delegation, rather than a five to two.
See you next week
July 1, 2026 - Katie Britt is Emerging as a Very Effective U.S. Senator
When Katie Britt assumed her role on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, she did so as the most junior Senator of the entire body, ranking last in seniority. She was low on the totem pole, and she had big shoes to fill taking over legendary Senator Richard Shelby’s seat. He ranked fourth in overall seniority and was probably one of the five most powerful elected officials in the country when he retired as Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Many expected it would be several years before Britt could wield the power needed to bring substantial funding home to Alabama. But as it turns out, she did not even need a full term to reach historic heights of her own.
As the Senate concludes a Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations cycle and looks ahead to 2027, I was curious about what each of our Alabama delegation members secured in terms of Congressionally Directed Spending / Community Funding Projects. I have written before on how prolific Britt has been in bringing home the bacon, but it’s particularly true this year. In total, Britt directly secured $215.7 million in federal funds for the state. Interestingly, none of this funding is for massive projects, a hallmark of her predecessor. By and large, these are targeted projects throughout the state that have the potential to make big impacts.
Thanks to Britt, for example, the Heflin Fire Department will receive $1.2 million to purchase a fire truck. The Jacksonville Police Department will receive $287,000 to purchase a new law enforcement vehicle. One million will be used on behalf of the Cleburne County Commission to replace a bridge over Muscadine Creek. The University of Montevallo’s nursing program will receive $1 million. The Winston County Commission will receive $900,000 to replace a drainage structure.
What is most impressive is how her appropriations leadership eclipses the entire Alabama delegation. Senator Tommy Tuberville secured a total of $37.17 million, while combined, our seven Representatives secured a total of $213.13 million. While the delegation as a whole outperforms most of its peer states in returning taxpayer dollars, it is notable that Britt brought home more than the entire House of Representatives delegation combined.
While earmark critics raise concern over “special interest projects,” Alabama would do well to remember that, thanks to Katie Britt: over $300 million has been invested in the Port of Mobile. The historic Tuskegee Aviation and Aero Technology program has been revived. Redstone Arsenal is a shining beacon for defending the United States. Mobile is set to open an international airport downtown. Universities across the state, including the renowned University of Alabama at Birmingham, continue to lead the nation in advanced research.
After all, these are our taxpayer dollars. Alabama’s congressional delegation should work tirelessly to send this funding to strengthen communities back home, not ones in California or New York through gluttonous government grant programs administered by Washington bureaucrats with little oversight.
We will never know the extent of the conversations, meetings, and negotiations Britt has over the course of an appropriations cycle, but we will feel it in our communities when progress continues on local infrastructure projects. The funding Katie Britt secured already in her short tenure will benefit almost 80% of counties across our state. It is no surprise that polling consistently shows her as Alabama’s most popular elected official, and it is clear that she is also Alabama’s most effective elected official.
When Katie Britt took office, she promised she would be a “leader who looks to identify and implement tangible, meaningful solutions to the serious challenges and opportunities facing both Alabama and America, so hardworking families can thrive in strong communities.” She has already delivered, and in doing so, has shown her refusal to conform to the typical Washington mold. It looks like Katie Britt has the makings of being another Richard Shelby.
See you next week.
June 24, 2026 - Republican Runoff Results Revealing
The June 16 Republican runoff yielded the final revelation of the 2026 election year. Winning the GOP Primary nomination is tantamount to election in the Heart of Dixie.
Several of the most important and prominent political posts in the state were decided in the first primary on May 19. Tommy Tuberville prevailed in the Governor’s race, garnering an amazing 85% of the vote. Caroleene Dobson won the Secretary of State race against two opponents. Young Boozer captured an unprecedented fourth term as State Treasurer. Andrew Sorrell will get a second term as State Auditor. Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry defeated incumbent PSC Commissioner Jeremy Odom to capture a seat on the Public Service Commission.
The most important and consequential race decided on June 16 was for the coveted U.S. Senate Seat of Coach Tommy Tuberville. Current First District Congressman Barry Moore won decisively, as was expected.
Congressman Moore is a true reactionary, right-wing Republican. He has displayed an impeccable conservative record during his six-year tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives,as well as during his eight years as a State Legislator. He is the only member of our Congressional delegation that belongs to the right-wing Congressional Freedom Caucus. Therefore, he probably has the most conservative voting record in our very conservative Congressional delegation. He is a devoted family man and has a waste management company that he and his wife, Heather, built from scratch.
It is well known that Heather has a lot of influence over most of Barry’s everyday decisions. Most would say that she pretty much rules the roost. Moore is an affable, good ole boy that is hard not to like. When he entered the Senate race a year ago, I predicted Moore would win. He is the golden boy of the omnipotent national right-wing dark money Club for Growth. They do not lose many, if any, senate races they get involved in throughout the nation. The Club has backed Moore in all his Congressional races.
In the past decade, since their creation, the Club has progressed from being a big dollar contributor to being a mega dollar contributor as well as a very sophisticated campaign organization. They are on the same page as Trump with their endorsements. It is no coincidence that the Club and President Trump endorsed Barry Moore on the same day, shortly after he announced last year. The Club and Trump are unbeatable in Ruby Red Republican states.
Moore beat his runoff opponent, former Navy Seal Jared Hudson, by a 56 to 44 margin. Moore will become Alabama’sjunior Senator come January. Senator Katie Britt will become our senior Senator after only four years in the U.S. Senate.
History will be made when Moore is sworn in. Both of our U.S. Senators will have been born and raised in the same city of Enterprise and county of Coffee. This is a first. The Boll Weevil city of Enterprise, a city of 25,000, will be home to both of our U.S. Senators.
It was thought that the Club for Growth only got involved in national contests. However, they revealed a wrinkle in their game plan by diving into the Alabama Lt. Governor’s race this year. They took the then Alabama GOP Chairman John Wahl into their fold and did it impressively. Wahl, an unknown butterfly farmer from Northwest Alabama, claimed the total Trump endorsement and with the Club’s unlimited money, beat the apparent front runner, Secretary of State Wes Allen. Wahl outdistanced Allen by a 57 to 43 margin.
Katherine Robertson took former Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell to the woodshed and won the Attorney General’s race by a decisive 55 to 45 margin. She was helped immensely by out of state right-wing dark money. The ALFA endorsement was also helpful to Katherine Robertson’s success. She will become the first female Alabama Attorney General in history.
Corey Hill defeated Christina Woerner McInnis narrowly, 53 to 47 percent, to win the GOP nomination for Agriculture Commissioner. He was helped immensely by being the only agriculture candidate from vote-rich North Alabama. He was also the beneficiary of the Alfa endorsement.
The most obvious revelation coming out of last Tuesday’sresults is that Donald J. Trump’s endorsement is golden in Alabama. The President unequivocally endorsed three GOP candidates: Tommy Tuberville for Governor, John Wahl for Lt. Governor, and Barry Moore for U.S. Senate. All three won overwhelmingly.
See you next week.
June 17, 2026 - Several Legislative Incumbents Ousted in Primaries
Prior to the primaries, I had disingenuously written that state legislative seats have become analogous to congressional seats. Very few incumbent legislators are even challenged with opposition, and those that do get opposition are easily reelected. I was half right. Eighty percent of incumbent State House and Senate members did not have an opponent. However, I was wrong to assume that those legislative incumbents, who do get opposition, prevail.
There were a host of legislative incumbents who were defeatedin our wild Alabama Legislative Primary elections. Most of the upsets were in the Republican Primary. That is because the vast majority of legislators are Republican.
The reason that most of those incumbent GOP legislators lost was because the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) came after them. ALFA made a big statement in the GOP primaries. They targeted several races where incumbents had angered them, and they took out all but one of them. ALFA proved that they are the biggest, baddest bully on the block and folks need to beware.
The biggest upset on May 19, and the Farm PAC’s biggest scalp of the night, was their taking out veteran State Senator Greg Albritton. Albritton, who chairs the Senate General Fund Budget Committee, had held the southwest Alabama sprawling Senate Seat since 2014. Farm PAC took him out with farmer Terry Waters.
ALFA backed Rusty Glover in the open Senate Seat District 34 in the Mobile area. Glover defeated Business Council of Alabama (BCA) backed Doug Harwell 55% to 45%.
Farm PAC/ALFA toppled three, thought to be strong incumbent House members, who are in the House leadership. The biggest upset was ALFA’s candidate Danielle Duggars taking out Representative Matt Simpson (R-Daphne). ALFA candidate Mike Elliott took out Greg Barnes (R-Decatur) in House District 13. Farm PAC beat Representative Phillip Pettus (R-Killen) in House District 1 with Maurice McCaney by a 60 to 40 margin.
Representative Rick Rehm protected his House Seat in Houston/Henry counties with an impressive victory over popular challenger David Money. Rehm was backed by ALFA. BCA endorsed David Money. Rehm had done his homework in his district.
ALFA came up short in their efforts to defeat incumbent State Senator Andrew Jones (R-Cherokee). They invested heavily to topple him with Amy Dozier Minton. Jones impressively prevailed 54% to 46%.
Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) easily defeated his challenger J.R. Bowling 65% to 35%. Senator Randy Price (R-Opelika) defeated former Senator Gerald Dial from Lineville in Senate District 13. State Senator Jay Hovey (R-Auburn) impressively defeated Lee County Commissioner Doug Cannon with 69% of the vote. Veteran State Senator J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner (R-Vestavia) defeated his challenger. He willreturn for another record-breaking term. Senator Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva) handily won reelection with 85% of the vote turning back two primary opponents.
In one of the biggest upsets in the Senate Republican challenges, Scott Ortis defeated incumbent Senator Dan Roberts in Senate District 15. Both men are Mountain Brook businessmen. Ortis spent a lot of personal money and parlayed a strong base of support in Mountain Brook along with hard work into victory. In another silk stocking, Jefferson-Shelby County District longtime incumbent Jim Carns was toppled by former U.S. Attorney Lloyd Peeples for a House Seat.
Representative James Lomax (R-Huntsville) won a second term in the Alabama House of Representatives. Lomax turned back former Congressman Mo Brooks by a 60 to 40 margin.Representative Susan Dubose (R-Hoover) decisively defeated her challenger with 84% of the vote. Democrat Alicia Escott Lumpkin defeated incumbent Representative Juandalynn Givan in District 60. Ms. Escott Lumpkin was backed by Mayor Randall Woodfin.
All in all, it was an interesting year for the few contested legislative races in the state.
See you next week.
June 10, 2026 - GOP Primary Runoffs Next Week
The May 19 GOP Primary Election resolved the elections for several important statewide offices. These aspirants are home-free for a coronation to their respective offices in the fall. They will be coronated November 3, because winning the GOP nomination in the Heart of Dixie is tantamount to election. Every statewide office in Alabama is held by a Republican.
Four statewide races have been decided. Tommy Tuberville for Governor, Caroleene Dobson for Secretary of State, Young Boozer for State Treasurer, and Andrew Sorrell for State Auditor, were all elected on May 19.
The most interesting battles of the year will be decided next week in the June 16 GOP Primary Elections. The runoffs for U.S. Senator, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, State Agriculture Commissioner, as well as a seat on the Public Service Commission, are in play.
The marquee race of the year has been the U.S. Senate contest to fill the Seat of Senator Tommy Tuberville. From the beginning of the year, when the race began, the all-powerful “Daddy Warbucks” Club for Growth has been all in for Congressman Barry Moore. This group has become omnipotent in Republican primaries in ruby red Republican states throughout the nation.
In the past decade since their creation, The Club has progressed from being a big dollar contributor to being a mega-dollar contributor as well as a very sophisticated campaign organization. Up until the 2025 Presidential election, they and Trump were not necessarily on the same page. However, after they bankrolled Trump’s reelection campaign, Trump and The Club are on the same team. It is no coincidence that The Club and President Trump endorsed Barry Moore on the same day,shortly after he announced last year.
Barry Moore and his teammate wife, Heather, have run a perfect, flawless campaign fueled by unlimited money. As expected, he led the field in the first primary with 40% of the vote. His closest challengers, Attorney General Steve Marshall and Navy Seal Jared Hudson, garnered 25% each, which was an impressive showing given the financial disadvantage they had to overcome.
Hudson has the unenviable luck to have edged Marshall out of the runoff. Hudson has a hard task to compete with unlimited money and the Trump endorsement. Barry Moore is exactly what The Club and Trump look for in a candidate – a proven Freedom Caucus Conservative. While all signs point to a Moore victory, some recent polling suggests Hudson has a fighting chance.
It was thought that the Club for Growth only got involved in national contests. However, they revealed a wrinkle in their game plan by diving big time into the Alabama Lt. Governor’s race this year. They took the then GOP Chairman John Wahl into their fold and did it impressively.
Wahl, an unknown butterfly farmer from Northwest Alabama, was known in the GOP inner circle as Chairman of the Party. However, The Club spent $2 million, along with the Donald Trump endorsement, and propelled Wahl into a 41% vote against seven opponents. Alabama veteran, thoroughbred workhorse, Secretary of State Wes Allen finish second to Wahl with 38% of the vote. This will be the best and closest contest next Tuesday. It will be old school, Alabama retail politician Wes Allen versus new school, new money Club for Growth/Trump endorsee John Wahl.
The Attorney General’s race has been the most competitive and contentious contest of the year. Assistant Attorney General Katherine Robertson and former Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell are headed into a finale Battle Royale next week. Robertson led Mitchell 40% to 34% in the first primary. Early in the race, prognosticators predicted the numbers would be reversed, with Mitchell at 40 and Robertson at 34. However, with lots of out of state right wing money, and the ALFA endorsement, and better TV ads, she moved into the lead, which is what the late polling portended. Blount County District Attorney, Pamela Casey, ran a good, under-financed campaign and finished a strong third. As expected, Pam Casey has endorsed Judge Jay Mitchell in the runoff.
Jim Zeigler garnered an impressive 45% of the vote in the race for Public Service Commission place two. Ole Zeigler has been around the block a few times in Alabama politics. He was elected to the Public Service Commission at age 25 and served one term. He has run statewide eight times and served eight years as State Auditor. He has parlayed his numerous statewide races into a significant 45% to 24% advantage over Chris Beeker.
Next Tuesday will tell the rest of the story to this year’s momentous elections.
See you next week.
June 3, 2026 - Alabama Girls State – An Unparalleled Legacy
Alabama Girls State is being held at the University of Alabama this week.
For more than eight decades, thanks to the American Legion Auxiliary, Alabama Girls State has quietly built one of the most powerful leadership pipelines in the state.
What begins as a weeklong immersive experience in government has,over time, become something far greater. In Alabama, it has become the premier breeding ground for future governors, senators, judges, and civic leaders. Yet, its true legacy is not found in the mock elections or simulated cities, it is found in the remarkable women who leave and then go on to shape Alabama.
Alabama Girls State legacy has an indelible footprint that is unparalleled in America. It is unheard of for any state to have the two highest officeholders in the state – Governor Kay Ivey and U.S. Senator Katie Britt – as devoted Girls State Alumni.
Governor Kay Ivey was elected Lt. Governor of Girls State in the early 1960s and chosen as a Senator to Girls Nation. Ivey has remained deeply involved for decades, returning every year as a counselor, director, and speaker for more than 40 years. Kay has a personal dedicated commitment to Girls State
Kay’s closest friend is Dr. Cathy Randall of Tuscaloosa. Their bond and friendship was created through their involvement with Alabama Girls State. Few figures embody the legacy of Alabama Girls State more fully than Dr. Cathy Johnson Randall. As a student, she was elected Governor of Girls State and went on to become President of Girls Nation. She later emerged as one of Alabama’s most respected business and civic leaders, serving on major corporate boards and leading philanthropic efforts across the state.
Cathy Randall credits her Girls State experience as the basis of her remarkable career. Through her Girls State connections, she was introduced to her husband, the late Pettus Randall, who was,coincidentally, a former Governor of Boys State and President of Boys Nation. All three of their children attended the program and succeeded magnificently.
One of the Girls State success stories, Senator Katie Britt, is one of Dr. Cathy Randall’s and Governor Kay Ivey’s proteges. They have both mentored her since her days as Girls State Governor.
Katie Britt exemplifies the modern continuation of Alabama Girls State legacy. As a student, Katie Boyd Britt of Enterprise was elected Governor of Alabama Girls State. She later became President of the Student Government Association at the University of Alabama, and in 2022, she was elected as one of the youngest U.S. Senators in the nation.
The influence of Alabama Girls State extends into the Judiciary as well. U.S. Federal Judge Anna Manasco was elected Governor of Girls State and President of Girls Nation. She is among those who have carried the program’s lessons into the legal system. State Judges Kelli Wise, Beth Kellum, and Sue Bell Cobb all attended Girls State.
Governor Kay Ivey’s Chief of Staff Liz Filmore is a Girls State Alumnus. In 2021, she became the first woman to ever serve as Chief of Staff to an Alabama Governor.
Caroleene Dobson, who is on the cusp of becoming Alabama’s next Secretary of State, is the brightest rising star on the Alabama political horizon and was a Girls Stater. Caroleene was elected Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries at Girls State. She has stayed involved in the Girls State program, serving as a counselor, and has spoken to the delegation for many years.
Catherine Gayle Thrash Fuller, governmental affairs for Alabama Power Company, attended Girls State and was also Senator to Girls Nation. Her mother, Cindy Thrash, was Governor of Girls State and Senator to Girls Nation.
Ashland Ross was a Girls Stater, and was elected Vice President of Girls Nation in 2023.
Dr. Katelyn Braswell attended Girls State and was elected Vice President of Girls Nation in 2001.
Kasdin Miller Mitchell was Governor of Girls State and President of Girls Nation in 2002. Recently, she was pointed to a federal judgeship in Texas by President Trump.
The glue that is the keeper and sustainer of Alabama’s phenomenalGirls State legacy is Lee Grant Sellers. Lee and her husband, Alabama Supreme Court Justice Will Sellers, are Kay Ivey’s most loyal and trusted friends and advisors.
Lee Sellers was, herself, a Girls Stater and a Senator to Girls Nation. Lee Sellers has served as the Director of Girls State for the past 25 years. Her leadership has ensured continuity, mentorship, and a strong sense of community among Alabama Girls State participants, past and present.
Alabama Girls State is more than a program. It is a tradition and its alumnae have helped shape the direction of Alabama for generations.
Somewhere in this week’s session, another future leader is beginning her journey.
See you next week.
May 27, 2026 - May Primary Answered Questions for Big Election Year
The dust has settled from the momentous May 19 primaries, and there were very few surprises in the statewide results.
The turnout was low, which has become the norm for midterm election years in Alabama. The 23% turnout was about what it was four years ago. There were close to 900,000 votes cast. The partisan participation was about 60% Republican, and 40% Democratic, which parallels what the division of voter preference is in our state. This 60/40 split is right on course for what the results will be in the general election in November. This 40% threshold for Democrats has been the standard for the past few decades, and it will probably not change this year. However, the Democrats have come to life this year. The past few gubernatorial elections, they have not even fielded a slate of candidates. They have secured a complete and qualified and viable lineup of state candidates for the fall. However, the results will more than likely be the same – 40/60.
Winning the Republican Primary is tantamount to election in the Heart of Dixie. The winners of the GOP primaries for the statewide office on May 19 will move on to a perfunctory coronation on November 3. However, the most interesting and competitive races will be decided on June 16 in the primary runoff elections.
The Governor’s race was never in doubt. Coach Senator Tommy Tuberville coasted to an expectant landslide victory against two unknown GOP aspirants. He got an amazing 86% of the vote without spending any of his campaign fund. He has $10 million in his campaign war chest, which he will use to destroy the hapless Doug Jones in the Fall.
One of the most impressive performances of the May 19 primary was turned in by former GOP Chairman John Wahl in the Lt. Governor’s race. He led an eight-person field with 41% of the vote. He will meet the presumptive front runner, Wes Allen, in the runoff, who got 38%. Their runoff contest will be one of the best on June 16. Wahl’s dynamic success was fueled by the big bucks Club for Growth along with the Trump endorsement. These two dynamics will continue to be with him in the runoff. This combo is tough to beat.
The Attorney General’s race resulted in the way that the late polling portended. Katherine Robertson led Jay Mitchell 40% to 35%. Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey got a strong 25% of the vote. It will be interesting to see where her votes land in the June 16 runoff between Mitchell and Robertson.
The Agriculture Commissioner’s race came out as was expected. The three-person race was between three unknown, but well-qualified candidates. Christina Woerner McInnis and Corey Hill finished in a dead heat with 35% each and will head to a June 16 runoff.
Veteran State politico Jim Zeigler led a four-person field for a seat on the Public Service Commission. He received an impressive 45% of the vote to second plan finisher ChrisBeeker’s 24%. They will meet again in the June 16 runoff.
In the other Public Service Commission race, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, walloped his fellow Cullman Countian incumbent Public Service Commissioner Jeremy Oden by an impressive 75% to 25% margin.
Young Boozer coasted to an unprecedented fourth term as State Treasurer with a 68% to 32% victory over Steve Lolley.
State Auditor Andrew Sorrell matched Boozer with a 68% to 32% victory over Derek Chen, even though he was outspent 10 to 1.
Caroleene Dobson won the Secretary of State race over two opponents. She received an impressive 66% of the vote.
The marque race of the year is for the open U.S. Senate Seat being vacated by Senator Tuberville. The results mirrored the polling in the weeks leading up to the May 19 primary. As expected, Congressman Barry Moore led with 40% of the vote. His challengers, Attorney General Steve Marshall and former Navy Seal Jared Hudson, finished in a dead heat for second with 25% each. Hudson edged Marshall out of the runoff by an eyelash. However, the Club for Growth money and Trump endorsement will propel Barry Moore to an easy victory on June 16.
The real victor of the May 19 primary is one Donald J. Trump. The Trump endorsement continues to be golden in the Heart of Dixie. His endorsement propelled John Wahl, Tommy Tuberville, and Barry Moore into impressive victors.
See you next week.
May 20, 2026 - Representative David Faulkner – A Case Study in Effectiveness
The 2026 Regular Legislative Session has concluded. This is an election year in Alabama. In an election year, it is common to see lawmakers introduce bills that create friendly headlines but do little to impact the health and welfare of their constituents.
State Representative David Faulkner of Mountain Brook bucked that trend in impressive fashion when he decided to file and pass a bill to create common sense regulations for Alabama’s overnight summer camps.
House Bill 381, also known as the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Act, was recently signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey, after receiving nearly unanimous support in the Alabama Legislature. The legislation is named after young Sarah Marsh of Birmingham, who was tragically killed in the Texas floods at Camp Mystic last summer. Her parents, Jill and Patrick Marsh, met with Representative Faulkner late last year to discuss the lack of oversight of Alabama overnight camps. When the idea of filing legislation was discussed, David did not hesitate to fully commit to the effort.
The limited oversight of these camps would truly surprise many readers. This lack of oversight does not necessarily mean they are operating unsafely. In fact, Alabama is blessed to have many fine camp operations in the state, from the Baldwin County coast to the mountains of Mentone. Our children have been truly enriched by their experiences at these camps and will continue to be for many years to come. The Sarah Marsh Heavens 27 Actsimply codifies the need for these camps to have adequate safety plans, staff background checks, and other commonsense licensure requirements. Thankfully, most of these tasks are already being done by the camps.
Another strong element of the bill is an expert-led advisory council to assist the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, who is tasked with implementing the licensing requirements of the bill. On this portion, Rep. Faulkner spent dozens of hours negotiating with a wide array of stakeholders from around the state, including camp owners. Local emergency management officials play a crucial role in planning for potential weather disasters, and their voice is critical in these discussions. They are truly heroes.
As the Vice Chairman of the powerful Rules Committee, David is often called upon by Speaker Ledbetter and other House leaders to either mediate legislation or draft amendments and substitutes to improve a bill before it reaches the floor. His background as a seasoned litigation attorney serves him in this role. Beyond the camp safety effort, Faulkner has not shied away from sponsoring other very important and monumentallegislative acts.
Recently, Rep. Faulkner passed another significant and poignant legislative act. He sponsored the monumental Lulu’s Law – a measure aimed at enhancing beach safety by establishing a shark alert system for Mobile and Baldwin Counties. The Act was named in honor of Lulu Gribbin, a 15-year-old from Mountain Brook who survived a shark attack off the coast of Florida during the summer of 2024. Lulu and her parents are some of Faulkner’s constituents. Lulu’s Law is one of the most meaningful acts of this quadrennium.
In addition, Faulkner an urban legislator became the hero and darling of the Alabama Farmers Federation when he sponsored and was the stalwart leader in the House of Representatives for passage of the Alabama Farmers Federation Health Plan in the 2025 Legislative Session.
Representative Faulkner is a true case study in effectiveness and continues to win deep respect from colleagues and constituents alike. He is a legislative statesman whose influence will only continue to grow in the coming years.
See you next week.
May 13, 2026 - Primary Elections Are Next Week
Our much-anticipated 2026 Primary Elections are next Tuesday, May 19. We have been awaiting this for a while. This is our big election year in Alabama politics. All our constitutional offices are on the ballot. Also, all our legislative seats are up for election. Most states elect their Governor in the same year as the Presidential election year. Alabama, and several of the other southern states, have their Governor’s race in what is termed nationally as the ‘off-year’ election year. We refer to this year in Alabama as our gubernatorial year.
In bygone years, more Alabamians would cast their ballot in gubernatorial year elections than in presidential years. We were more interested in who was governor, than who was president. More importantly, Alabamians were more interested in who was sheriff of their county.
The winners of our statewide Republican primary next week will be elected. Winning the GOP primary in the Heart of Dixie is tantamount to election. However, most of the hotly contested contests will be headed to a June 16 runoff. On June 16, it will be all over but the shouting. The general election will be nothing but a coronation.
We were looking forward to an intriguing governor’s race this year. With Kay Ivey term-limited, the brass ring of political office in Alabama is open. Senator Coach Tommy Tuberville made the unorthodox and bewildering decision to not seek a second, six-year term in the U.S. Senate, and chose to run for governor. Coach Tuberville will stroll to election as governor next Tuesday with only unknown, token opposition.
Tuberville’s open senate seat will be the marque race next week. Early on, it looked like a close two-man race between First District Congressman Barry Moore, and two-term AttorneyGeneral Steve Marshall. However, the all-powerful, deep pocketed, dark money, Right Wing National Club for Growth came to the table. They brought a barrel of money into the state,along with President Donald Trump, who is in their lap, as are most GOP senators in Republican states in America. They own most, if not all of the Republican members of the U.S. Senate. The Club for Growth has backed, from the get-go, Congressman Barry Moore for the senate race. These conservative billionaires and multi-millionaire ‘no government’ oligarchs will spend what it takes to make Barry Moore our next conservative GOP Senator. They have out spent all of the other candidates put together by a ten to one margin for Moore.
Therefore, Barry Moore will lead the field, significantly, next week. However, he will probably be forced into a runoff. However, the surprise of the night may be young Jared Hudson. He may make the runoff instead of Steve Marshall. He is coming on strong with a little money, and movie star good looks. Hudson will be harder than Marshall for the Club for Growth and Barry Moore to beat in a runoff. However, they will spend what it takes to prevail. They have unlimited deep pockets.
Former Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell will lead the field in the contested open Attorney General’s race. He is facing two formidable female opponents. Assistant Attorney General Katherine Robertson will probably run second to Mitchell, and be in a runoff. Blount County District Attorney Pam Casey will run a strong third. Pam Casey will team up with and endorse Mitchell in the runoff. Mitchell and Casey detest the fact that most of Robertson’s money has come from out-of-state, dark money PACs, and they have had to raise their money the hard way, from Alabamians.
The Lt. Governor’s race will be a close and interesting battle royale. It will be a three-man contest between current Secretary of State Wes Allen, Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, and Republican Party Chairman John Wahl. Chairman Wahl has been the beneficiary of over a million dollars of Club for Growth money and President Trump’s endorsement.
Caroleene Dobson will waltz to victory as Secretary of State of Alabama next Tuesday. She may be the largest vote getter. Caroleene Dobson is the real thing. This young lady exudes class, integrity, and humility, with a six generations deep, Black Belt pedigree, and Harvard education. She is the brightest star on the Alabama political horizon. She has future Governor written all over her.
Young Derek Chen should prevail in the race for State Auditor.
Young Boozer will be elected to an unprecedented fourth term, next week, as State Treasurer.
The Agriculture Commissioner race will be too close to call. Christina Woerner McInnis, Jack Williams, and Corey Hill are all well qualified. It will be interesting to see which two make the June 16 runoff.
Y’all vote. See you next week.
May 6, 2026 - Barfoot and Hatcher Outsmart Federal Courts
A couple of years ago, Democratic Party legal groups found a sympathetic federal panel in the Northern District of Alabama, and that court created a new minority Democratic Congressional District. That district came into existence a little over a year ago.
The Constitution grants the power to draw and determine Congressional and Legislative districts to legislatures in each state. Our duly elected Alabama Legislature had created, for several decades, districts that yielded six Republicans and one Democrat.
Using the auspices of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the federal court ruled, and then drew new maps that led to a new Congressional Democratic district. That seat is now held by Mobile Democrat Shomari Figures. Our delegation now has five Republicans and two Democrats.
Having had success with congressional realignment, these same Democratic legal groups focused on the Alabama State Senate. Again, they were successful with the same Federal Judge, however, with a limited focus. The Court zeroed in on the Montgomery River Region. This Republican district of Senator Will Barfoot was comprised of the white areas of east Montgomery, Pike Road, along with Crenshaw and Elmore counties. After the interventionist decision by the same Federal Judge that changed Alabama’s Congressional lines, the jurist commenced, again, to redraw the lines.
The court dissolved the Barfoot Senate District 25 and created anew Democratic Montgomery-based State Senate district, combining the former River Region district with areas where there was burgeoning growth of the black population of Montgomery. Currently, the area has two very competent, diligent, and popular State Senators. However, the drafter made Democrat Hatcher’s District 26 a winnable Republican district and made Barfoot’s District 25 a very likely Democratic district.
After a month or so of mulling over the new lines, Barfoot and Hatcher, who get along well together and work well together representing Montgomery, said, “why don’t we just swap Senate district numbers?”
Senator Will Barfoot initiated the maneuver. He studied it and ran it by several folks and political powers, and everybody told him, “That dog will hunt.” When Hatcher contemplated the plan, the amicable, pragmatic Democrat
had no problem changing his Senate district number from 26 to 25. Afterall, the ruling had moved most of his constituents to the new District 25 anyway. Furthermore, these voters do not care what the district number is, they just know Hatcher is who they want as their State Senator.
Senator Will Barfoot made one of the boldest and shrewdest moves seen in Alabama politics in a long time. Barfoot outwitted the Federal Judge and turned the tables on her, saving a Republican Seat in the State Senate and in turn, saving and preserving Hatcher’s familiar Democratic district. Barfoot and Hatcher did what you call “making lemonade out of lemons.”The people of that area will have continuity and selfless public servants with Hatcher and Barfoot representing them in the Alabama State Senate.
Senator Barfoot’s statement in announcing the changing of State Senate numbers was one of the most succinct and accurate summations I have ever seen or heard. Barfoot, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he is running for reelection to the Senate from Seat 25 to Seat 26 because the Court ruling “makes no sense.”
Barfoot went on to add, “I cannot allow one of the most conservative counties in Alabama – Elmore County – to be denied the conservative representation it deserves simply because Federal Courts issued a badly flawed ruling. Allowing a Democrat to represent Elmore County in the Alabama State Senate would be like Bernie Sanders representing Alabama in the U.S. Senate and casting liberal votes that do not reflect the views of the citizens they swore an oath to serve. When that happens, grassroots voices are silenced, and conservative views are ignored. I’m running in District 26 to ensure that conservative Republicans in Elmore County and throughout the area are represented by a conservative Trump Republican and not a woke liberal Democrat who fights against everything they believe and embrace.”
The new district lines that were dictated from the Federal Judge were drawn by an untrained 18-year-old college freshman Democrat, who used an online app and submitted the map to the Courts for consideration.
This novice mistake allowed Will Barfoot and Kirk Hatcher outsmarted the Federal Courts and made lemonade out of lemons.
See you next week.