August 26, 2026 - What’s Really Clogging the Pipes at Central Alabama Water?
As many readers may remember, the former Birmingham Water Works Board (“BWWB”) was synonymous with corruption, inefficiency, back-room politics, and the type of nefarious activities that would make most people blush from embarrassment.
Everything from criminal indictments of former board membersto the theft of copper and everything else not tied down in warehouses, were regular occurrences over the decades of chaos at the old BWWB. Customer complaints soared as high as the unreasonable bills sent to weary and often outraged customers. BWWB’s antics and poor customer service made most people shake their heads in disbelief or disgust.
Run into the ground by its leaders, BWWB was always a nightmare for those unfortunate customers who had issues or required basic assistance. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin’s infamous, “Good morning to everyone but the Birmingham Water Works Board,” social media post a few years ago exploded over the internet with individuals sharing their horror stories about the system.
The size and scope of the issues within BWWB snowballed,while dissatisfaction skyrocketed. There was little concern from a board accountable to no one, not even its own customers. Dedicated frontline staff often found themselves in the crosshairs of petty board members warring against one another, while many customers felt that their voices and concerns were not heard.
Veteran State Senator Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia), who has been the leader of the Jefferson/Shelby legislative delegation for over four decades said he had never had more complaints on anything as much as his suburban constituents had over the Water Works Board’s abysmal customer service and accountability.
Finally and thankfully, the Alabama Legislature said enough was enough, and passed legislation in 2025 to completely reorganize the board’s composition and provide representation for customers, who previously were ignored. Jefferson County Senators Jabo Waggoner, Dan Roberts, and Shay Shelnutt, ended the BWWB’s shenanigans and created Central Alabama Water (“CAW”), as it is known today.
Under this new law, the City of Birmingham’s stranglehold on appointments to the water system’s board was finally ended. New board members were appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Birmingham’s Mayor, Birmingham City Council, Shelby County Commission, St. Clair County Commission, Blount County Commission, and the Jefferson County Commission President.
The bill’s supporters argued that customers from across CAW’s service area needed to be represented, not just those residingwithin the municipal boundaries of Birmingham. The Legislature included several requirements to ensure the new board would focus on transparency and resolving longstanding issues that always threatened to harm the water system’s deserved reputation for producing some of the highest quality water in the country.
This new board moved quickly to hire its first CEO, Jeff Thompson, an experienced water utility leader. He hired a skilled management team that is putting an emphasis on efficiency and accountability. Customer service is now something every employee has responsibility for improving.
The Governor’s signature on the reorganization law was not even dry before there were two similar frivolous lawsuits filed challenging the legislation. Last week, a federal judge threw out the most frivolous suit file by two disgruntled former board members, William Muhammad and Brenda Lewis. Both Muhammad and Lewis are longtime Birmingham activists.
A second lawsuit filed by the City of Birmingham and Mayor Woodfin, who in desperation want to cling to any vestige of hope to retain the City’s power and control of water in the central Alabama region.
These legal challenges force CAW to spend considerable time and resources defending the clear intent of the Legislature. While Birmingham’s long shot lawsuit grinds through the legal process, CAW is also unable to secure new funding from the bond market or refinance debt for vitally important infrastructure projects that previous Birmingham-dominated boards ignored for decades.
Birmingham should drop its frivolous lawsuit and work with the new board at CAW to ensure its citizens receive great service and award-winning water in the future. Without a professionally managed water system, the Birmingham region’s growth will be negatively impacted – something that would hurt the whole state.
The families and businesses of Central Alabama demand clean water and better customer service. They also deserve an organization that does the right thing at the right time to support them. Anything less is their time and money going down the drain.
See you next week.
August 19, 2026 - Favorites/Incumbents Win August Congressional Primaries
Voters headed back to the polls in four of Alabama’s congressional districts on August 11. The turnout was very sparse, as would be expected with one primary race on the ballot. It has been very confusing for voters as to why they were asked to vote in a special primary election. Only the most ardent partisan voting zealots showed up to vote. However, last week’s special primary finally selected the party nominees to these four congressional seats. The only election left is the General Election on November 3.
This year’s hurry up election is a national Republican led redistricting effort to pick up as many as a dozen seats in the Deep South. One of those pickups will be in Alabama.
The Supreme Court paved the way for the state to use its own legislative map. The State Legislature threw out a gerrymandered federal court drawn map. The federal court drawn district map designed a second majority, minority district. This new district combined former District 2 Wiregrass voters with the Republican voters in Baldwin and Mobile for a Republican District 1, in order to abate the minority Democratic district that encompassed Montgomery, Mobile, and the Black Belt. The Legislature essentially put them back to where they have been for the last 40 years.
Former U.S. Representative Jerry Carl won the Republican nomination for the newly drawn District 1 seat, encompassing Mobile and Baldwin counties.
This is a solidly Republican Seat which Carl served in previously for four years. The Seat is back to its original orientation that has been the port counties of Mobile and Baldwin. It is a solidly Republican district that has produced some of our most prominent Republican Congressmen, including Jack Edwards, Sonny Callahan, Jo Bonner, and Bradley Byrne.
The newly drawn District 2 puts back together the traditional second district, which is a Wiregrass/Montgomery, Republican friendly district. It is designed to be the least Republican laden of the six GOP districts in the state.
However, the Democrats will not walk away from the district without a fight. The titular incumbent is Democrat Shomari Figures of Mobile. The national Democratic Party will supply plenty of campaign cash for Mr. Figures.
The winner of the Republican Primary last week was State Representative Rhett Marques of Enterprise. Marques has had a successful eight year run in his Coffee County State House Seat. He is well liked by his legislative colleagues, especially by his fellow Wiregrass legislative neighbors. All of them endorsed him and campaigned for him, though the most important endorsement he received was from the President Donald J. Trump. Marques beat back five opponents for the GOP nomination.
All eyes will be on this race in November. It will be the only competitive Democrat versus Republican contest come November. Both parties will put a lot of national money into the race. However, the Republican Marques will prevail, probably 55 to 45 percent.
Congressman Gary Palmer’s Birmingham-based District 6 was affected, slightly, by all of the redrawing. The popular incumbent easily won his nomination, and will be elected to his seventh, two-year term. Palmer’s district is one of the most Republican districts in the nation.
With the redistricting, District 7 Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s district was altered. So, she, like Palmer, was on the ballot August 11. She had no primary opposition. Her district is our only Alabama Democratic district, and it is a very Democratic venue. Sewell will be reelected to her ninth, two-year term in November.
Our two most prominent, powerful, and seniority laden congressmen were not affected by the reapportionment efforts. We will have Congressmen Robert Aderholt and Mike Rogers for at least two more years.
Representative Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) will be reelected this year to his 16th, two-year term in Congress. District 4 has been fortunate to have this fine and distinguished gentleman be their congressman for 30 years. He is only 61 years old. At the end of this next 2-year term he will have served in the U.S. House of Representatives longer than anyone in Alabama history. He will, again, serve on the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Representative Mike Rogers (R-Anniston) will be reelected to his District 3, east Alabama seat for an unprecedented 13th term in the U.S. House. Mike Rogers chairs the powerful Armed Services Committee.
Representative Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) will be reelected for his North Alabama-Tennessee Valley Seat for a third, two-year term. He is off to a fast start.
See you next week.
August 12, 2026 - Alabama’s Workforce Future Depends on Expanding Opportunity
Alabama’s economy continues to grow. New companies are choosing to locate here, existing industries are expanding, and employers across the state are creating good jobs for Alabamians.
Growth like that brings opportunity, but it also brings responsibility.
One challenge is becoming increasingly clear: Alabama needs more skilled workers. Whether it’s construction, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, healthcare, or advanced manufacturing, employers are looking for people with the technical skills needed to step into today’s workforce. Many of those jobs offer excellent wages and long-term careers, but businesses often struggle to find enough qualified applicants. That’s why workforce education has become such an important part of Alabama’s economic future.
Preparing more people for high-demand careers is not just about education. It is about ensuring employers have the workforce they need to continue investing in our state. That effort must include developing talent within underserved and justice-involved populations – individuals who represent an often-overlooked workforce with tremendous potential.
As part of the Alabama Community College System, J.F. Ingram State Technical College (ISTC) is dedicated to serving the incarcerated population across the state. ISTC is innovatively expanding its workforce training model this fall at Bibb, Donaldson, and Limestone Correctional Facilities by creating the ISTC Workforce Academy. Under the leadership of President David Walters, whose career has centered on workforce, technical, and adult education, the college is increasing integrated skills training opportunities for Alabama’s justice-involved population though the ISTC Workforce Academy, while helping meet the state’s growing demand for skilled workers.
Students spend part of each day receiving hands-on technical training in fields where Alabama employers continue to need workers. The remainder of the day is dedicated to structured reentry instruction that emphasizes workplace expectations, communication, financial literacy, problem-solving, and personal responsibility. Together, those skills prepare graduates for success both on the job and in their communities.
The work doesn’t end when a student earns a credential. The college’s Job Placement Coordinators work directly with employers throughout Alabama to identify hiring needs and connect graduates with available positions in their home communities. That partnership helps businesses find qualified employees while giving graduates an opportunity to begin productive careers.
Programs like this produce benefits that reach well beyond the classroom. Employers gain access to skilled workers. Families gain greater financial stability. Communities benefit when more people are employed, and Alabama strengthens the workforce that supports continued economic growth.
President David Walters believes workforce education is one of the smartest investments Alabama can make. “Every credential earned represents an opportunity – for the individual, for an employer, and for our state,” Walters said. “When we prepare people with the skills businesses are looking for, we strengthen Alabama’s workforce and create opportunities that benefit everyone.”
That philosophy is helping shape the college’s direction. By expanding access to workforce training, strengthening employer partnerships, and connecting more graduates with meaningful employment, Ingram State is helping address one of Alabama’s most pressing workforce challenges while creating opportunities that benefit individuals, employers, and communities alike.
Meeting Alabama’s workforce needs will require collaboration among educators, employers, and state leaders. Expanding access to technical education is one way to help meet that demand while preparing more Alabamians for meaningful careers. As our state continues to grow, so will the need for skilled workers. Developing that workforce today will help ensure Alabama remains competitive for years to come.
August 5, 2026 - Vote Next Week on New Congressional Lines
There is no question the U.S. Supreme Court is in the process of dismantling the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which has allowed the federal courts to dictate, direct, and draw gerrymandered Democratic districts throughout the south for the past 60 years.
There is no question, the 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act were necessary and the right remedies to enact to secure equal rights for all American citizens. The Voting Rights Act was the most necessary. As late as 1960, black citizens were essentially precluded from voting in Alabama in overt fashion. Alabama’s population was, and still is, around 30% African American. The voting age population is 27% African American. Out of that 27% in 1960, only about 1% were allowed to vote due to discriminatory Jim Crow literacy tests and poll tax laws. The few black voters were the elite preachers, funeral home directors, and college presidents.
After the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act it was “Katie bar the door.” It was immensely apparent that black people in the south had a generational aspiration to exercise their inherent right to vote. The proof in the pudding came in the 1966 Democratic Primary and General Election that next year. There was a higher percentage of black voters in 1966 than white voters, which was amazing.
However, the measures taken to secure equal rights for all American citizens were effective and the that wrong has since been righted. In fact, the most intrusive sections of the Voting Rights Act, whichmandated that the five Deep South states required preclearance from the U.S. Justice Department before changing any voting laws or even polling locations, was set to expire in 1970. It was renewed, routinely, by Congress over the years.
The Constitution clearly gives the power of the pen to state legislatures to draw their states own congressional and legislative districts. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled to uphold that inherent and clear states right. They have stated that is a political decision and power. If a state like California, New York, or Massachusetts has a Democratic majority legislature, they can and have drawn gerrymandered districts that favor Democrats. Conversely, if Republican states like Oklahoma, Nebraska, or Wyoming have a Republican majority legislature, they can draw Republican gerrymandered districts.
However, the deep South states of Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Mississippi have been prohibited from drawing their own congressional and legislative lines due to the Voting Rights Act.
The Supreme Court is saying that there comes a time when a wrong has been righted. The sins of the father should be righted for only so long. The grandchildren and great grandchildren of white southerners should not be penalized for something that occurred generations ago. It is actually reverse discrimination. Indeed, a good many young, white Republicans in Alabama grew up in other states. It is probably perplexing to a young engineer in Huntsville as to why a federal judge decreed their power extends to drawing lines that destroy communities of interest and declares that they go into a district that extends to Mobile to create a black Democratic gerrymandered district.
The June 2nd U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the ongoing Voting Rights Act case of Milligan v. Allen, indicates clearly that the Court is going to reverse the lower three-judge panel’s 2023 decision to draw racially discriminatory, congressional maps.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision clearly indicates they are poised to rule in favor of Alabama in a final decision to reverse Milligan anddeclare the nail in the coffin of the Voting Rights Act.
The effect on Southern and national politics is monumental. There will be a shift of probably 10-15 Congressional Seats moving from Democratic to Republican in the South. Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana have already moved expediently.
Governor Ivey and our Republican Legislature moved quickly and prudently to capitalize on the anticipated Supreme Court decision.
In the May Special Session called by the Governor, the legislatureenacted a plan that calls for a 6 to 1 Republican to Democratic Congressional district plan, similar to what was in place for over 30 years prior to Milligan. For those who say Alabama is the more racist of the Southern states, I disagree. Our sister southern states are going all out and wiping out all Democratic districts. Our approach is fairerand more prudent.
We will vote next Tuesday in a Special Election on the new Congressional District 1, District 2, District 6 and District 7.
Vote next week.
July 29, 2026 - Jere Beasley Story
Many famous successful lawyers in our state have served a stint in politics. Jere Beasley, the legendary Montgomery trial lawyer served eight years as lieutenant governor. Having been born and raised in Barbour County, he has a good many great political stories. He shared a few with me over the years.
Jere tells a great story that illustrates how fleeting political fame and notoriety can be for a politician. Beasley was elected lieutenant governor in 1970. A young Bill Baxley was elected attorney general that same year. Albert Brewer lost a very close race to Wallace for governor that same year. All three were primed to run for governor in 1978, as Wallace could not succeed himself. State Senator Sid McDonald and Fob James also joined the “Three B’s” in the race.
As was common at that time, there were political rallies and candidate forums all over the state. Most political pros will tell you that these forums got you very few votes. The reason being that almost all the attendees were already committed supporters of the other candidate. However, if you did not attend one, it gave you a black eye in that county for shunning that particular community.
The folks in north Alabama were especially sensitive about your not attending their county gathering. Each gubernatorial candidate would have his most loyal supporters there, adorned head-to-toe in their campaign paraphernalia. They would congregate early to hear their candidate. Wallace used to even have professional yellers follow him all over the state. One particular one looked like he belonged in a circus, but he could cut a rebel yell like you have never heard. Each candidate wasgiven 30 minutes to speak but very few confined themselves to that time limit once they got cranked up.
Beasley mused that at an event up on Sand Mountain, all five gubernatorial candidates appeared. As was the protocol, they drew straws to see who would go first. As luck would have it, Beasley ended up as the last speaker, which means he would have to sit on the stage dutifully and politely for three hours or more listening to his enemies extol their virtues and occasionally lambast him or his fellow candidates, depending on who the speaker thought was his primary opponent. The speeches dragged on and as was customary, after each candidate spoke,they would excuse themselves and head on to the next campaign event in an adjoining county or elsewhere in the state. Likewise, when the candidate left the scene and stage, so did his supporters.
By the time Beasley got up to speak, there were only a handful of people left in the audience. Beasley dutifully began to give them his best speech. As he droned on, he noticed an overalls-wearing farmer standing right in front with rapt attention.
When Beasley finished, he came down off the flat-bed truck and shook the old farmer’s hand vigorously and hugged him and looked him squarely in the eye and said, “You don’t know how much I appreciate you. You have to be the best Beasley supporter I’ve got in Alabama.”
The farmer looked at Beasley apologetically and with a little sympathy and said, “Boy, I ain’t never heard of you. That flatbed truck y’all been shouting from is mine. I was just waiting for you to get off my truck so that we can both go home.”
Beasley was an outstanding high school quarterback at Clayton High School. Clayton is a small community in Barbour County in southeast Alabama. It is also the hometown of George Wallace.
Clayton’s archrival in football in Beasley’s heyday was Brundidge, about 15 miles down the road from Clayton. Beasley recalls a Friday night game against Brundidge during his senior year. Brundidge, like many small Alabama towns of that day had some large well known family names, such as Godwin and Senn.
Beasley says they were leading Brundidge a good bit and Brundidge was substituting a lot. As he broke the huddle to head to the line of scrimmage the hometown Brundidge fans were quiet. All of a sudden, the PA announcer broke the silence with the announcement, “God went (Godwin) in, Sin (Senn) goes out.” Beasley thought maybe he was in an early Sunday school class rather than the middle of a Friday night football game.
Jere Beasley has an outstanding legacy in Alabama history.
See you next week.
July 22, 2026 - Cullman Is the New Breeding Ground for Alabama Political Leaders
Alabama political history reveals that the Rural Black Belt area of our state dominated the power in Montgomery, both legislatively and gubernatorially, from the beginning of the Civil War through the 1960’s.
Beginning in 1861 and continuing through the George Wallace era, the Black Belt County of Barbour had eight governors. That is an impressive historical fact and is why Barbour County is called the Home of Governors. It is a record that will probably never be broken. Barbour County’s eight governors are by farthe most. The closest to that are two counties that can boast three.
One of those counties is Cullman. They have emerged as one of the most dominant counties in Alabama politics in the last 60 years. They have had two back-to-back governors in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Guy Hunt, from Holly Pond, was governor from 1987 through 1992. Cullman native, Jim Folsom Jr., followed Guy Hunt as governor from 1992-1994. Jim Folsom Jr.’s daddy, the legendary Big Jim Folsom, served two terms as governor,1946-1950 and 1954-1958.
Cullman County is an almost all white county nestled in the middle of the state, exactly halfway in between the metropolitan areas of Birmingham and Huntsville. As late as the 1960’s, Cullman County, maybe due to the demographics and the frugal influence of their large German descendant population, had the highest per capita income in the state.
Their rise to political power started in the early 1960’s andbegan because of the George Wallace connection. Two of the most loyal Wallace men ever were Cullman Countians – Tom Drake and Billy Joe Camp. Wallace made Tom Drake the Speaker of the Alabama House his last term as governor, 1982-1986. Drake was so loyal to Wallace that if Wallace asked him to jump off the top of the Capitol, he would have said, “What time Governor?”
Billy Joe Camp was just as loyal to Wallace. His career was built around his affiliation with Wallace. He was Wallace’s Press Secretary during most of Wallace’s two decades as governor. He road the Wallace machine to be elected to the posts of Secretary of State and Public Service Commission, and later, served Jim Folsom Jr., who ascended to Governor from Lt. Governor.
Jim Folsom Jr. and his daddy, Big Jim Folsom, are the Kings of Cullman County political fiefdom. They both have definite, true legacies as Alabama Governors. Big Jim Folsom is known for paving all the rural roads in the state, referred to as “Farm to Market” roads.
Jim Folsom Jr. has a true, definitive legacy as the Father of the Automobile Manufacturing Business in Alabama. During his one term as governor, he lured and landed the Mercedes Benz manufacturing plant to Alabama. His landing this big fish coup,Mercedes, was the impetus for Honda, Hyundai, and all the satellite automobile parts manufacturers coming to Alabama. Thanks to Jim Folsom Jr. we are now the second largest automobile manufacturing state in America with over 50,000 Alabamians having high paying jobs in automotive building.
Today, the President Pro Tem of the Alabama State Senate is Cullman State Senator Garlan Gudger. Senator Gudger is a native and lifelong resident of Cullman. The post of PresidentPro Tem of the State Senate is probably the second most powerful position in the state. It is more powerful than being Lt. Governor, which has no constitutional power. Garlan was President of the Cullman City Council for over a decade before going to the State Senate in 2018. He could be Cullman County’s fourth governor one day.
One observation from this summary of Cullman County’s political success is that all the aforementioned state political leaders from Cullman came home to Cullman County to live out their lives. They all, obviously, love their home county. Big Jim and Jamelle lived and raised their children, including Little Jim,in Cullman. Jim Folsom Jr. and his Cullman County native wife, Marsha Guthrie Folsom, live in Cullman. Guy Hunt and his wife, Helen, lived out their lives in Cullman County. Tom Drake and his wife, Chris, never left Cullman. He drove back to Cullman from Montgomery every night of his 32 years in the legislature.
Cullman is obviously a very special place.
See you next week.
July 15, 2026 - The RSA Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is Helping Alabama Become a Move-In State
Dr. David Bronner is revered by our Alabama governmental employees, especially retired state workers. Dr. Bronner has overseen the administration and investments of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) for 53 years. To say that he has done a spectacular job would be a very pronounced understatement.
Dr. Bronner has been a genius as an investor and innovator. However, his most innovative venture was the creation of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. It was one of the most win, win ventures ever seen with tax dollars. First of all, it is one of the state’s largest tourists’ attractions. Secondly, it made money the first year and has grown exponentially every year for over 40 years.
Mark Fagan, the outstanding spokesperson for the magnificent golf trail, wrote a book published by New South Books a decade ago entitled, “The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – It’s History and Economic Impact.” It is a beautiful coffee table masterpiece. The book documents, in script and photos, the Retirement Systems of Alabama’s Golf Trail. Included is an in depth economic analysis of the impact of this historical project. There has been no other development activity in Alabama over the last 40 years that has contributed more to the history, economy, and image of the entire state than the golf trail project.
The pension funds RSA investment, a string of elite golf courses and affiliated high-end hotels and spas, in business-speak, was an economically targeted investment. It was designed to diversify returns and create jobs. It has done more than that. It has significantly increased Alabama’s infrastructure for tourism and conventions, provided millions upon millions in tax revenues, it has enhanced our state’s image, and helped persuade other businesses to locate in the state.
In the December issue of the RSA newsletter, Mark Fagan highlights the continued importance of the RTJ Golf Trail and how it is helping Alabama become a move-in state. Fagan explained how in 1990, U.S. retirees were one-fourth of the population, yet owned 77% of the personal financial assets. These retirees accounted for 70% of pleasure travel dollars. Many were migrating to other states for retirement, and their spending was creating jobs in real estate, financial services, healthcare, recreation, insurance, and retail, while not causing a negative strain on the state education system, social services, criminal justice system, or environment. This positive economic impact attracted many towns and states to recruit these retirees to their area.
Tourism areas were evolving into retirement areas, and retirees were becoming permanent tourists in their area of relocation. Thus, in 1990, the RSA had the foresight to begin the development of world-class golf courses and hotels to attract tourists and retirees and improve the quality of life to promotecorporate expansion in Alabama. These 26 public golf courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and became known as The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
The Trail has evolved into 11 golf complexes, with 8 resort hotels, 6 world-class spas, 2 complete resort communities, and numerous restaurants/lounges
In 1995, the RSA began marketing the Trail nationally by purchasing over 45 television stations and 100 local newspapers. These investments provide the RSA with millions of dollars of free advertising each year to promote the Trail and other Alabama attractions. Without this media acquisition, the cost of these ads for the last 30 years would have totaled more than $1 billion. As a result of the advertising, millions of people from all 50 states and over 20 countries have visited Alabama to play golf on the Trail.
According to the United Van Lines 48th Annual National Movers Study of inbound/outbound states for 2024, Alabama has moved up the list of higher-percentage inbound mover states since 2002. As of 2024, Alabama has reached number 6 on the list of states with the highest percentage of inbound movers. Each retiree household moving into Alabama has the same positive economic impact on the state as almost 4 factory jobs.
See you next week.
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.