October 7, 2026 - The Small Town Advantage
While a student at the University of Alabama I had the opportunity to intern with the Dean of Students, Dr. Joab Thomas. A few years later Dr. Thomas became President of the University, and I was elected to the legislature. He invited my wife and I to sit with him at an Alabama football game. We had just had our first daughter, and she seemed to us quite precocious. As Dr. Thomas and I were discussing my newborn,the topic of her early education came up. I somewhat lamented the fact she might not be able to compete academically as well in college because she would be raised in a small town and not have the advantages or competition that a larger city school might offer.
Dr. Thomas, who himself was from the small town of Russellville, was a Harvard educated botanist and had done quite well academically. However, he shed an interesting light on the difference in growing up in a small city, as opposed to a large one. He said a person from a small place who has leadership talents can develop them better than someone from a large place. It is much easier in a small town to be class president, captain of the football team, homecoming queen, and be the big fish. It allows someone to develop confidence and leadership abilities that may far exceed the slight advantage from their academic development. That small town person grows up expecting to be the leader. They expect to be governor or president.
Dr. Thomas suggested that I look around and do some research on the success of those raised in small towns. Since I knew politics, I took the Alabama political arena and much to my amazement Joab was right. Individuals from small towns dominated Alabama politics and the Governor’s office.
A look at the past 80 years tells the story. Big Jim Folsom grew up in Elba and lived his adult life in Cullman. George Wallace was from the small hamlet of Clio in Barbour County, and his wife Lurleen was from the small town of Northport in Tuscaloosa County. Albert Brewer was from the mid-size city of Decatur, but still no metropolis. John Patterson’s home was Phenix City, but he was born in a Tallapoosa County crossroadscalled Goldville. Fob James was from the small east Alabama valley town of Lanett. Guy Hunt was from the village of Holly Pond in Cullman County. Jim Folsom Jr. is from the city of Cullman, like his father. Former governor, Bob Riley, is from the small Clay County town of Ashland. Dr. Robert Bentley was born and raised in the small town of Columbiana in Shelby County. Kay Ivey was born and raised in rural Wilcox County and went to school in Camden.
The only city governor of Alabama in the last 80 years has been Don Siegelman, who is from Mobile. Therefore, during the last 80 years that is 10 to 1 small town governors over big city. However, if you count Big Jim’s two terms, George Wallace’s four terms, Fob James’s two terms, Guy Hunt’s two terms, Bob Riley’s two terms, and Kay Ivey’s two terms, that will make it 19 to 1. By the way, if Tommy Tuberville wins the Governor’s race this year, he is from a small town in Arkansas.
This small town dominance does not end with Alabama governors. A cursory look at the presidents over the past 80 years reveals that our U.S. Presidents were small town boys.
Harry Truman was from Independence, Missouri. Dwight Eisenhower was from a small town in Kansas. Lyndon Johnson was from a small town in east Texas. Richard Nixon was from a small town in California. Jimmy Carter was from the small hamlet of Plains, Georgia. Ronald Reagan was from a small town in Illinois. George Bush, Sr. is from a small place in Connecticut and his son, George W. Bush, calls Crawford, Texas home. Bill Clinton was from the small town of Hope, Arkansas. Although he was born in mid-size Scranton, Pennsylvania, Joe Biden grew up in a small down in Delaware.
Only three of our presidents over the last 80 years have been from big cities. John F. Kennedy was from a big city. Boston was his home. Donald Trump is from New York City. Obama grew up in Japan and Hawaii, and went to the Senate from Chicago, so let’s give him to the big city of Chicago.
Dr. Thomas was right in his assessment of success inherent in politics and growing up in a small town. He said if you think it is true in politics you should read the almanac of success in business because it is just as dominate with small town folks.
See you next week.
September 30, 2026 - Jamie “Red” Etheredge – An Outstanding Alabamian
Jamie “Red” Etheredge turned 94 years old on June 15. He has been one of the most outstanding and kindhearted leaders our state has seen this century.
Red Etheredge was born on June 15, 1932, in Marengo County. His distinctive Black Belt diction accentuates his Marengo County roots. He has been very successful in both business and government.
Red founded “Red E Mix” Concrete Company in Greenville in 1961. He was the owner and President for 24 years and then sold the business to a large conglomerate. After selling his concrete business in 1985, he became a franchisee of Wendy’s for 15 years. He was, for 20 years, a homebuilder in Greenville, and served as President of the Home Builders Association. In 1968, Red Etheredge was elected Mayor of the City of Greenville. He served 15 years as the Mayor of the Camellia City.
Red served in both administrations of Governor’s George Wallace and Jim Folsom Jr. He headed the Alabama Development office from 1983-1987 in the Wallace Administration. He was an Administrative Assistant to Jim Folsom Jr. from 1992-1994. I first got to know Red during his years as Mayor of Greenville and the head of Industrial Development for Governor Wallace. I was a State Legislator from Troy and had associated him with being from and intrinsically tied to Greenville.
In 2016, I was on a book signing tour around the state with my book, “Of Goats and Governors – Six Decades of ColorfulAlabama Political Stories.” While at an event at the Jacksonville City Library, I looked up and the first person I saw was Red Etheredge. I was confused because I had always associated Red with Greenville. I said, “Red, what are you doing up here in Jacksonville?” He said, “I live here.”
The second person there was my longtime friend Glen Browder. Glen is my former colleague in the Alabama House of Representatives. He came to the House with me in 1982. Glen later was elected Secretary of State of Alabama and then went to Congress. He was a political science professor at Jacksonville State and has one of the most brilliant political minds I have ever seen. He also has been a resident of Jacksonville and Calhoun County for over 50 years. So, I asked Glen about Red’stransition to Jacksonville. Glen explained that Red had not only moved to Jacksonville but had become one of the pillars of the community, and that if he wanted to, he could become Mayor of Jacksonville. Folks in Jacksonville generally consider Red to be the premier civic leader of their city.
Red’s move to Jacksonville was through his love for Jacksonville State University. He has been a member of the Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees for over 30 years. He has been Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Jacksonville State. Many refer to him as Mr. Jacksonville State. He and his lovely wife, Donna, have a beautiful home across the street from the Jacksonville campus. They attend every academic, social, and athletic event at the University. It is the center of their life. They are members and attend the First Methodist Church of Jacksonville. He is a past Chairman of the Industrial Development Board of Jacksonville.
Red is an avid horseman. He raises, trains, and still rides Tennessee Walking Horses. Indeed, he is a past President of the National Tennessee Walking Horse Association.
Red Etheredge has had an illustrious career, which would be the envy of many. The list of Boards includes past President of the Alabama Concrete Industries Association, past President of the National Santa Gertrudis Cattle Association, a past Board of Directors member of the Alabama Cattleman’s Association.These are in addition to being a past President of the National Walking Horse Association and past Chairman of Board of Trustees of Jacksonville State University.
Jamie “Red” Etheredge is a great Alabamian.
See you next week.
September 23, 2026 - Spencer Bachus
Congressman Spencer Bachus served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Jefferson County for 22 years. He was an outstanding Congressman from his very Republican District from 1983 – 2015. His 6th Congressional District was made up of the upscale suburban enclaves of Mountain Brook, Vestavia, Hoover, Homewood, and Gardendale as well as the affluent surrounding counties of Shelby and St. Clair and the silk-stocking Highway 280 communities. It was and still is one of the highest income and most Republican districts in the nation.
Spencer was born in Birmingham in December of 1947. He grew up in and has spent his entire life in the district he represented in Congress for over two decades. He finished high school at an over the mountain high school and then he went to Auburn University where he graduated in 1969. He then went to the University of Alabama Law School, graduated from law School in 1972, and soon thereafter began practicing law in Birmingham.
While at the University of Alabama Law School Spencer was awarded the Somerville Law Prize for Excellence in research and writing. The head of the selection committee, who presented him with the award was Professor Cohen. Spencer told me that he visited with Professor John Cohen. Spencer, like every Auburn alumnus I know, loves Auburn University.
Besides practicing law prior to going to Congress in 1993, Spencer served in the Alabama National Guard and was an officer. He was elected to the Alabama legislature the same year I was in 1982. We served together for four years. He was a very effective, diligent, and conservative legislator. In 1986 he was elected to the Alabama State School Board from a district similarly paralleling his 6th Congressional District. In 1991, he became Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party serving in that position until his campaign and election to Congress in 1992.
Spencer Bachus was a stellar Congressman. He knew his district and served them well. For several decades prior to Spencer’s election to Congress our senior members of Congress had been laying the stakes and working on building a northern beltline around Jefferson County. It had already been called the I-22 corridor. The powerful and legendary 4th District Congressman Tom Bevill had done some heavy lifting and gotten the project started. However, it was Spencer Bachus who got it completed and this gives him a living legacy in the annals of Alabama political accomplishments. This major I-22 corridor in Jefferson County has been properly named the “Spencer Bachus Highway”.
As a member of Congress representing Alabama’s 6thCongressional District for 22 years, Bachus was the Dean of Alabama’s House delegation and has been a champion of the construction of I-22. Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper said, “There’s no doubt Congressman Bachus championing I-22 accelerated its completion.”
This I-22 corridor is a 202-mile-long interstate highway serving as a connection between Birmingham and Memphis, Tennessee. It is a vital economic expansion for Jefferson County which will reduce costly congestion and enhance motorist safety. It is only fitting and proper that the I-22 Jefferson County beltline isnamed the Spencer Bachus Highway.
When Spencer first went to Congress in 1992 there were four major national bank holding companies headquartered in Birmingham. Therefore, it was important if not imperative that the Congressman from the Birmingham area strive to get a seat on the House Banking Committee. Spencer accomplished this feat in his first term. The Banking Committee eventually became the House Financial Services Committee. Spencer served on this committee his entire 22 years in Congress. He served as ranking member for four years, then he was Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee his final four years in the U.S. Congress.
Therefore, it is only perfect and fitting that Spencer be given a seat on the prestigious Export-Import Bank of the United States. He has just been appointed to another three-year term on his distinguished panel.
September 16, 2026 - Bill Baxley and 16th Street Baptist Church Prosecution Story
The horrendous 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, where four innocent little black girls were murdered, was one of the most horrendous and unconscionable events to occur in Alabama. These little girls were innocently attending Sunday School at their church and were killed only because of the color of their skin.
This horrific bombing shocked the nation and touched the souls of all Americans, especially white southerners, who became more retrospective after that date.
One of those young, white Southerners was a 22-year-old law student at the University of Alabama named Bill Baxley. He was watching the news at his fraternity house that day when it came on television as a special report. He was so upset and sickened that he could not eat for two days. He vowed that one day he would do all within his power to right this horrific wrong.
Baxley was about to become a lawyer, and return to Dothan topractice law in his daddy, Keener Baxley’s courtroom. As ayoung law student or even a young lawyer, he assumed the most he could contribute would be as an errand boy or assistant to theprosecutors. Baxley was willing to spend a year as an understudy to help bring these Klansmen-thugs to justice. Litte did he know that a few years later, he would be elected Attorney General of Alabama and would be in the prime position to fulfill his vow.
This week marks the 63rd anniversary of one of the worst tragedies in Alabama history. On the Sunday morning of September 15, 1963, four Klansmen bombed the former 16thStreet Baptist church in downtown Birmingham. The historic church was the center for the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham and Alabama. The scenes where Bull Connor released dogs and firehoses on peaceful Civil Rights marchers was flashed across the national news nightly. If you look closely at the footage of these terrible scenes, which are still played today on file for historic purposes, you can tell that most of the demonstrators who are beaten, bitten by dogs, or blown 50 yards in the air by powerful bursts from firehoses, are young people. Older African Americans were working six days a week and could not participate.
These visions captured by the news media on television were more devasting to the white segregationist than Dr. Martin Luther King’s impassioned letter from a Birmingham jail. Those scenes were the impetus for the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Bill.
However, the tragic bombing of the church on a quiet, reverent Sunday morning, was the final nail in the coffin for the fight to defeat Civil Rights for all Americans.
Between that day, September 15, 1963, and that same time 10 years later, Baxley, indeed, graduated law school at Alabama, went home to Dothan, became District Attorney at age 24, and was elected Attorney General four years later in 1970 at age 28.
He served eight years as Attorney General of Alabama, 1970-1978, ran second for Governor in 1978, came back to be elected Lt. Governor in 1982, and ran second, again, for Governor in 1986.
Bill Baxley is considered to be the best prosecutorial Attorney General in Alabama modern history. His progressive prosecutorial skills and accomplishments are unparallel.
The first day that he became Attorney General, he wrote down the names of the four little girls who were killed at the 16thStreet Baptist Church bombing and looked at their names every day. He started work immediately and assigned his top investigators to the case. He set his sights on the Klansmen, who the FBI had assisted him in determining had done the cowardly, unfathomable act. He prosecuted and sent to prison for life the primary culprit in the act, Robert Chambliss. Baxley’sprosecution and conviction of Chambliss by an all-white jury came three years into his first term as Attorney General in 1973.
Bill Baxley’s prosecution of the Klansman Chambliss is the highlight of his stellar and legendary career as Alabama Attorney General.
I recently filmed a four-part, three-hour series with Baxley on my television show, “Alabama Politics,” which can be viewed on YouTube. In part three, Baxley discusses and reveals the complete, inside detailed story of all the events and stories surrounding the prosecution of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. It culminates with the illumination that the legendary, remarkable, iconic Civil Rights hero, Fred Gray, was instrumental in the prosecution. Mr. Gray, who represented Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, still practices law in Macon County at age 96.
See you next week.
September 9, 2026 - Political Reassurances and Revelations in 2026
The more things change, the more they stay the same, is a very succinct adage, especially when it comes to politics. Faces and places and races change in politics, but one thing that stays the same is, the candidate who has the most money for campaign advertising and vote gathering, nine times out of ten wins.
Name identification is the most important factor when voters select a candidate. Money buys name identification, and name identification equates into votes. Thus, there is no truer adage in politics than money is the mother’s milk of politics. This reassurance was upheld in the recently completed GOP Primary election in June. The person who won every main race, including U.S. Senate, Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General, raised and spent the most money.
The new phenomenon in American politics is the national Club for Growth. This very organized Political Action Committee (PAC) is made up of money of the wealthiest multimillionaireand billionaire conservatives in the country. They are a darkmoney, mega-dollar PAC that have gained control of the Republican elections in Republican states in America. They have certainly become the big boy on the block in the Heart of Dixie. They elected our next U.S. Senator, Barry Moore, as well as our next Lt. Governor, John Wahl.
Another separate right-wing, dark money group from out of state bankrolled and elected our next state Attorney General, Katherine Robertson. In addition, the Club for Growth also endorsed and supported her in her candidacy. Both Wahl and Robertson were complete unknowns, politically. Both, not only had never run for statewide office, neither had run for any office. This tells you that money can buy any office and usually does. That is a fact.
The revelation here is that the money that elected Barry Moore, John Wahl, and Katherine Robertson came from unknownsources and contributors from out of Alabama. The bottom line is that Alabama voters do not know or care where candidates’ money comes from or whether a candidate has any qualifications. Unidentified dark money, right wing organizations can buy elections.
This is probably true in other states as well, lest we cast dispersions on our own state. We are not that unique. Probably more conservative than most states, but not that unique. This revelation tells me that if a candidate comes to me and asked how to get elected to a major statewide office, my advice would be to simply raise a barrel full of money, and it does not matter where it comes from as long as you have it to spend. It could come from the drug cartel in Mexico or the mafia in New York. It does not matter. Under our lax federal and state campaign laws that do not require certain political groups to identify who contributes to their PACs. People do not care. Voters select candidates based on their appearance and rhetoric. Those dark money, mega right-wing donors from out of state will continue to dominate Republican state primaries in Republican states.
Again, lest we cast dispersions on the mega-dollar out-of-state national Club for Growth. Similar left wing dark money PACs exist and dominate in Democratic states. Although no group has as deep of pockets as the right-wing Republican Club for Growth, there are more left-wing dark money groups nationally and they have more money for left wing Democratic congressional and Presidential candidates. Lots of the left-wingDemocratic money is fueled by acknowledged socialists That is why the liberal socialist candidates are emerging victoriously in our liberal urban cities and states.
The reassurance is that money is the mother’s milk of politics, always has been and always will be. If you do not have the money, do not put your name on the ballot.
The revelation is that it does not matter how you get the money, or where it comes from, whether it is out of state or clandestinely garnered. Voters do not care.
See you next week.
September 2, 2027 - The Club for Growth is the King of Alabama and American Politics
Over a year ago on July 4, 2025, I was attending the famous Fourth of July Political Gala in DeKalb County known as the Ledbetter-Livingston Henagar Potato Festival. This event is the last vestige of “ole timey” political events left in Alabama politics. The parade and good eating extravaganza in Henagar in DeKalb County is a must go to event for aspiring, statewide politicians. Indeed, with this being the kickoff to the 2026 election cycle, all statewide Republican candidates were in attendance along with their entourages.
The event is put on by the most powerful political person in the state, Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, who hosts the event in his home county. His cohost is Senator Steve Livingston of Scottsboro, who is the Majority Leader in the State Senate and represents DeKalb County in the Senate.
A group of us gathered at a table. Ledbetter, Livingston, and about six others were sitting around the table and the topic of who the top contenders for all of the upcoming state races came up. We went over how the horses would line up for open races.We briefly discussed Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Agriculture Commissioner. Then, the big question wasposed of who the person would be to fill the Seat of Senator Tommy Tuberville, as Tuberville had already announced that he was leaving Washington to run for Governor. We all knew the Senate race would be the premier prize on the 2026 ballot, andwould overshadow all the other races. The question was posed, and they all looked at me and Ledbetter.
The Speaker spoke first, and said succinctly exactly what I was thinking and was going to say. He said, “That race ain’t going to be decided in Alabama. It is already been decided in Washington.” We both knew that the Club for Growth had decided that their Congressman Barry Moore was going to be the next Senator from the Heart of Dixie.
The rich boy Club for Growth owns Republican politics in Republican states in America. It is simple; money is the mother’s milk of politics in America. Always has been and always will be.
My February 18th column was entitled “Trump Endorsement Makes Barry Moore Prohibitive Favorite in U.S. Senate Race.” I wrote at the beginning of the race, it looked like a two-man contest between Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and District 2 Congressman Barry Moore. However, with the endorsement of Congressman Barry Moore by President Donald Trump, coupled with Moore receiving the endorsement and total support of the deep-pocketed, dark money, Right Wing, Republican Club for Growth, this solidified Moore as a prohibitive favorite.
It is no coincidence that the Trump endorsement and Club for Growth endorsement came to Moore on the same date. Trump and the Club are on the same team.
The Club for Growth has become the most powerful force in Republican states in America. They are a quiet, dark money, right-wing organization made up of multi-millionaire and billionaire contributors. They want very restrained government spending and back very conservative-proven candidates who have very conservative credentials.
At one time, when the Club was becoming established as the behemoth in Republican politics, they and Trump were at odds on some races. However, they seemed to coalesce into one solidly aligned team last year, when they primarily financed Trump’s 2024 reelection bid. This Trump and Club for Growth tandem is impossible to beat in any Republican state.
In the Republican Primary, Barry Moore raised and spent over $30 million. The vast majority of that came from the Club for Growth and its surrounding secret PACs. In comparison, his primary runoff opponent Jared Hudson had $3 million. Money is the mother’s milk of politics. Money buys media. Media appearances equate into votes.
In the past decade, since their creation, the Club has progressed from a big dollar contributor to being a mega dollar contributor as well as a very sophisticated campaign organization.
These billionaires have gotten serious about owning American politics. They are the new phenomenon in the nation’s political landscape.
As we enter the traditional Labor Day Holiday, which historically has been the beginning of the political season in American politics, the Club for Growth is the omnipotent power on the stage, especially in the Heart of Dixie.
Happy Labor Day.
See you next week.
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.