May 19th Primaries, Part 3: Statewide Candidates
May 19th Primaries, Part 3: Statewide Candidates
This is a midterm election year, meaning constitutional offices in the State of Alabama are on the ballot. You will have a chance to vote for who represents you in Washington, Montgomery and your county’s courthouse.
Voters in the 7th Congressional District of West Alabama will need to vote twice, once in Tuesday’s party primaries and again in the special election on August 11th for candidates who have qualified or re-qualified to run for the congressional seat now held by Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell.
The special election also impacts the U.S. House races in the 1st, 2nd, and 6th districts as state Republicans attempt to turn more districts red in an already bright red state.
When Gov. Ivey issued the proclamation splitting the primaries, she praised her party’s effort. "Alabamians now have another opportunity to send strong voices to Washington to fight for our values, and I encourage them to get out and vote in this special primary election on August 11," Ivey said. "I also urge them to head to the polls this coming Tuesday, May 19 to vote in all other races."
This year is Ivey’s last hurrah as she is constitutionally forbidden to run for re-election as the state’s longest consecutively serving governor. That opened the door to an interesting battle for her chair in the state capital.
Who Has Political Power?
Once was a time when whoever won the Democratic Party Primary was the tantamount winner in the General Election. That changed in 2010 when the GOP won large majorities in both chambers of the legislature ending 136 years of Democrat dominance.
In 2012 Republicans took complete control of all 10 state constitutional offices and have maintained that super-majority since. That is not expected to change this year despite growing anger over what Democrats see as black disenfranchisement by redistricting.
Most Republican candidates are basing their campaigns on support for Donald Trump, deportation of illegal immigrants and tax cuts.
This year Democrats are mounting a comeback effort by fielding candidates in most races, not giving the GOP a free pass as in previous years. It is, however, an uphill battle against the party that makes all the rules.
(Candidates’ names below are linked to websites containing information about them)
Governor
The office of Governor was established in 1819. The Governor sees that laws are faithfully executed; acts as Commander-in-Chief of the militia; signs grants and commissions required by law; fills vacancies which occur in local elective offices when specified by law and in elected offices of the state executive and judicial branches when specified by law, and orders elections to fill such vacancies; removes officers appointed by the Governor except where otherwise provided by law or where the office is subject to provisions of the Merit System; fixes the salaries of certain state employees and officials at amounts not to exceed certain annual figures, as specified by law; extradites criminals; grants commutations to persons under sentence of death; approves all conveyances of land by any State agency and all contracts or leases made by any State agency; approves the terms and conditions of certain bond issues; and causes suits to be instituted to recover public money or property or to condemn land. In addition, the Governor causes defense to be instituted of certain civil actions against the State; issues executive orders; remits fines and forfeitures; offers rewards for the apprehension of felons; may authorize armed forces organizations to leave the State; has control of State property; among many other duties set out by the Alabama Constitution and statute.
One term Alabama U.S. Senator and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville is seen as the pre-emptive winner of Tuesday primary. He has been one of the most loyal and supportive members of congress for President Trump from a deeply conservative state.
His race to the GOP nomination has been all roses and lollipops. Hoover insurance executive Ken McFeeters has repeatedly challenged whether Tuberville meets state gubernatorial residency requirements, to no avail so far.
Tuberville has centered his campaign on conservative social issues, economic growth and public safety. He opposes diversity, equity and inclusion programs, transgender participation in women’s sports and public funding for abortion. He supports stricter immigration enforcement, gun rights, and law enforcement.
McFeeters is backing agricultural self-reliance, education reform and civil liberties. His platform includes in-state food processing, supporting law enforcement, implementing stricter immigration enforcement, maintaining a pro-life stance, limiting government surveillance and introducing education changes.
“Alabama” Will Santivasci is the only other GOP candidate. He wants to cut taxes, reduce government spending and promote economic growth.
Democrats are fielding six candidates for state chief executive. The most familiar name is former U.S. Senator Doug Jones. He lost re-election to Tuberville by a wide margin. Polls show him the front runner for the Democratic nomination.
Jones is supporting voter access, healthcare and economic opportunity while challenging one-party control in state government. He supports a state lottery, early voting, ending straight-ticket voting, Medicaid expansion, protecting IVF and contraception and improving maternal healthcare outcomes.
Other Democratic candidates are Will Boyd, Ja’Mel J. Brown, Yolanda Rochelle Flowers, Chad “Chig” Martin, and Nathan “Nate” Mathis.
Boyd has good name identification as a candidate in the past for the U.S. House (2016), U.S. Senate (2017 & 2022), and Lt. Governor in 2018.
Lt. Governor
Lt. Gov. is the second ranking officer of the executive branch in Alabama and the first officer in line to succeed the governor.
The lieutenant governor's duties include acting as the successor to the governor and as the president of the state Senate. In Alabama, the governor and lieutenant governor are elected separately and thus could be from different parties.
Seven Republicans and two Democrats are on the ballot for Lt. Governor.
The three GOP front-runners are Alabama Secretary of State and Tuscaloosa native Wes Allen, who has helped spearhead the redistricting effort, Ag and Industry Commissioner Rick Pate, and former Alabama Republican Party Chair John Wahl.
Also on the GOP ballot are Pat Bishop, George Childress, Stewart Hill Tankersley and Nicole Jones Wadsworth.
Democrats are fielding two Lt. Governor nominee candidates: Phillip Ensler and Darryl D. Perryman.
United States Senate
Whoever wins this race will become the junior U.S. Senator from Alabama as Tuberville’s departure elevates Republican Sen. Katie Britt to senior senator.
Seven Republicans have qualified in what has become a tough race. The most prominent names are Attorney General Steve Marshall who joined to redistricting push, and District 1 U.S. Rep. Barry Moore and former nuclear submarine commander Seth Burton.
Also running on the GOP ticket are Dale Shelton Deas Jr, Jared Hudson, Morgan Murphey, and Rodney Walker.
Democrats have four candidates on the ballot, Dakarian Larriett, Kyle Sweetser, Everett Wess, and Mark S. Wheeler II.
Attorney General
The AG is the state’s top law enforcement official.
The three-candidate race for the Republican nomination to succeed Steve Marshall seem to have boiled down to two front runners Katherine Robertson and Jay Mitchell with Pamela L. Casey third in most polling.
Nobody ran for the democratic Party nomination.
Secretary of State
This office doesn’t get the attention the other constitutional offices do but the job is every bit as import. The SOS is charged with maintaining voter rolls, working with county registrars and probate judges and serving as the state’s chief elected official.
Three names are on the GOP ballot, Caroleen Dobson, Christopher Christian Horn and Glenda S. Jackson.
None qualified In the Democrat primary.
State Treasurer
The State Treasurer acts as the state's chief banker and financial custodian, responsible for managing, investing, and protecting state funds, overseeing the state’s collateral pool (SAFE program), and managing unclaimed property. Key duties include investing state funds, administering savings programs like CollegeCounts, and providing financial oversight.
Vying for the Republican nomination are incumbent former Tuscaloosan Young Boozer and Steve Lolley.
There are no Democrats running in this race.
State Auditor
The State Auditor is responsible for tracking and auditing all non-consumable state-owned personal property valued at $500 or more. The auditor maintains a centralized inventory control system, ensures agencies properly tag assets, and audits state agency equipment every two years to ensure accountability for taxpayer-purchased items.
Derek Chen and Andrew Sorrell square off former the Republican nomination while Democrats did not qualify a candidate.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries
The Commissioner of Ag and Industries is responsible for regulating the state's agriculture, horticulture, and livestock industries. The Commissioner enforces state laws related to farm products, ensures food safety, promotes agribusiness, and manages, with regulatory control over agricultural business entities and services.
There is no incumbent in this race as current commission Rick Pate is constitutionally barred from running again and is running for governor.
The three candidates for the Republican nomination candidates are Corey Hill, Christiana Woerner McInnis and Jack Williams.
Public Service Commission
The PSC
(Place 1)
Matt Gentry is challenging incumbent Jeremy H. Oden for the Republican nomination.
The Democrats mounted two candidates for a November challenge. James O. Gordon, John Northrop and Jeff Ramsey give Democrats some options.
(Place 2)
A full slate of Republicans candidates are up for nomination. They are Priscilla Andrews, incumbent Chris Beeker, Brent Woodall and Jim Zig Zeigler.
There are no Democrats running.
(Thursday, May 19th Primaries, Part 4: Local Candidates)
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