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.
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.