The Montgomery Advertiser newspaper's blog on all things related to Alabama politics and state government, featuring the writings of Sebastian Kitchen and Markeshia Ricks
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Armistead selects new executive director for state GOP
Timothy James "TJ" Maloney will become executive director of the Alabama Republican Party on Monday, the party announced Thursday. New Party Chairman Bill Armistead, a former state senator, said he made his choice after a thorough search for the person with the necessary experience and skills to direct the daily operations of the party. “We have a strong team shaping up, and TJ has the experience and knowledge to take the helm,” Armistead said. “His prior experience in Alabama, having run a congressional campaign in 2008, is a real plus for us." Maloney worked in 2008 as campaign manager for Wayne Parker in his unsuccessful bid to defeat Parker Griffith for the 5th Congressional District seat. Maloney, who is relocating from Virginia for the job, has worked extensively in politics the corporate world. "He has a reputation of being a solid team player and a hard-working leader, unconcerned about who receives credit,” Armistead said. Maloney said he enjoyed his previous campaign work in Alabama and “coming back to Alabama is like coming home for me." “I enjoyed living here when working on a previous campaign, and I'm glad to be back,” he said. “There are exciting things happening in Alabama and there is much to accomplish.” John Ross worked as the executive director when Mike Hubbard was chairman of the party. Hubbard, who is now speaker of the House and presided over historic Republican wins in November, did not run for another term. Armistead defeated state Rep. Jay Love of Montgomery in the contest to succeed Hubbard.
The Great Party Switch of 2010 is continuing as more local Democrats across the state leave the party to pick up the standard of the Alabama Republican Party. This time it's in Calhoun County.
Apparently four former Calhoun County Democratic officials are switching parties much to the disappointment and anger of the Alabama Democratic Party. Those officials are: Calhoun County Probate Judge Alice Martin, License Commissioner Barry Robertson, Circuit Court Judge Brian Howell and County Registrar Carolyn Henderson.
The Democrats sent out a statement blasting the new Republicans for being what the party sees as "disingenuous and unfair to voters" because they were elected as Democrats and with the help of campaign contributions from Democrats.
Read the rest of the statement below:
"Judge Martin and License Commissioner Barry Robertson have long had the staunch support of Calhoun County voters and ran as Democrats in their previous elections.
"Circuit Court Judge Brian Howell won election in 2006 against a Republican opponent, and County Registrar Carolyn Henderson was appointed to the Calhoun County Board of Registrars by Democrat Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks. Her position will require her to be reappointed by his Republican successor John McMillan or another Republican official, such as the state auditor or the governor.
“It’s incredibly unfortunate that these officials, with the possible exception of one, could not be bothered to call and discuss their decisions to switch parties with me before announcing it to the press," said Calhoun County Democratic Party Chairwoman Sheila Gilbert. “I had to wonder if they were afraid I would try to talk them out of giving up their years of service as Democratic officeholders and the trust and support Calhoun County Democrats had placed in them."
The Alabama Democratic Party and the Calhoun County Democratic Party reaffirmed their commitment to finding strong candidates to run in each of these elected offices in the upcoming elections.
“We have a number of great Democrats in Calhoun County who would be well-qualified for each of these offices,” Gilbert said. “We look forward to taking on these new Republicans at the ballot box next year.”
Alabama Democrats are criticizing a Limestone County official who announced Monday he was switching parties.
Limestone County Circuit Court Judge Robert Baker announced Monday, less than four months after being elected as a Democrat without opposition, that he was switching parties to become a Republican.
"Judge Baker ran unopposed in last year's election and more than 14,000 Limestone County residents still turned out to cast a ballot in his favor on the Democratic party line," said Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy. "Changing parties four months after your re-election reeks of political opportunism, especially when there are many qualified Democratic candidates who may have deferred to the incumbent when he qualified to run for another term in office last year."
Democrats in Limestone County "have strongly backed Judge Baker at the ballot box, and it is unfortunate that he would choose to throw away years of support from these dedicated Democratic voters just to seek short-term political gain," according to the Alabama Democratic Party.
Democrats are undeterred by Baker's "misguided" switch and vowed "full backing" of a future Democratic opponent for the judge. On Saturday, according to the Alabama Democratic Party, there was a standing room only meeting of Limestone County Democrats in Tanner.
Baker is the latest in a series of county officials who have left the Alabama Democratic Party.
Another county official said Monday that he is leaving the Democratic Party to become a Republican. Limestone County Circuit Judge Robert Baker declared he was switching parties.
He becomes the 11th elected official in recent weeks to leave the Democratic Party and cross the aisle.
Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, who is in his last week as chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, said he was excited to welcome the judge into the party.
"Judge Baker is an honorable leader in his county, and I know his decision was made with great thought and consideration," said Hubbard, R-Auburn.
Hubbard also thanked Limestone County Chairman Jim Burden "and the entire county executive committee for their assistance in organizing this change. They continue to show unwavering support for the party and we could not be more grateful for the tremendous strides they are making in that part of the state."
Local Delegation Selects Holmes, Wren for Leadership
Montgomery County’s legislative delegation in the House of Representatives elected its leadership for the next four years Wednesday.
State Rep. Alvin Holmes, a Democrat, will serve as the delegation’s chairman and state Rep. Greg Wren, a Republican, will serve as vice chairman. In the last quadrennium, Holmes served as chairman for the first two years and Wren served as chairman for the last two.
The Montgomery County committee is one of the few standing House Committees headed by a Democrat. The House has seven other standing House committees that mainly handle local legislation for counties in the major metropolitan areas of the state.
Republicans took majorities in both the House and the Senate for the first time in 136 years during the 2010-election cycle. Republican leadership decided to keep the same rules as their predecessors by making a Republican the head of most of the major committees. Democrats hold no major chairmanships.
Holmes, who also is the current longest serving member of the House of Representative and the Dean of the House, said that the delegation’s selection of leadership was by design a bipartisan structure. He said he also believes that the structure would best serve the needs of residents of the city and the county.
Montgomery’s House delegation is made up of four Democrats and two Republicans. In addition to Holmes and Wren, state Reps. Jay Love (R), Thad McClammy (D), Joe Hubbard (D) and John Knight (D) all represent Montgomery County. State Sens. Quinton Ross, a Democrat, and Dick Brewbaker, a Republican, also represent Montgomery County.
There’s a new sheriff in town and that means there will be new rules in the Alabama Senate, especially when it comes to spending.
New Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh is making some changes to long-standing practices of the Senate and he’s starting with the office he now heads.
Marsh announced Wednesday that he has significantly reduced the staff of the Office of the President Pro Tem – from more than 40 to 4 – and he has plans to continue to reduce the cost of that office.
Marsh said he was confident that a leaner team would be able to serve the needs of the Senate and the taxpayers.
“I believe it is critical that each agency and branch of government review their budgets and tighten their belts, just as the people of Alabama and private businesses are forced to do during lean economic times,” he said in a press release.
The Pro Tem’s office has a budget of approximately $3 million, and during fiscal 2010 more than $1.83 million paid the salaries of more than 40 people.
“There were times that no one in the Senate knew who some of the Pro Tem employees were, and I can promise you one thing – our staff will be visible and accessible at all times,” Marsh said. “My predecessors may have needed each and every one of those staffers to effectively run the office, but I can assure the taxpayers that they are getting a bargain compared to the $2 million that was spent on Pro Tem staff salaries last year.”
The Pro Tem’s office has hired the following staffers: Philip Bryan, chief of staff, Ryan Cantrell, policy and research analyst, Molly Middlebrooks, senate liaison, and Gale Dunlap, part-time accounting/bookkeeper. Chief of Staff Philip Bryan estimates that the office payroll would be reduced from $130,000 a month to about $15,000 a month.
In addition to the staffing cuts, Marsh also has issued new guidelines for what expenditures will be allowed out of the Pro Tem’s budget. Senate committee chairmen, who are now all Republicans, will have to turn in request prior to making purchases.
“We recognize that Senators have needs such as postage and other resources to assist them in communicating with their constituents, so we certainly want to allocate funds for those needs” Marsh said. “However, the culture that existed was one that had no accountability for these expenditures, and we felt that each member should have a budget – so when it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Marsh also said that instead of giving each senator a blank check for expenditures, there would be a fix dollar amount allocated for each of the 35 senators. He said he believed it would force members to spend money on only the necessities, and not just a lot of amenities.
“I guess I’m just cheap,” Marsh said. “But I believe the taxpayers elected us to be good stewards of their hard earned money, and I hope they will recognize that the new Republican leadership is going to great lengths to do just that.”
Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said the culture of corruption isn’t the only thing that’s changing in the Alabama Legislature.
A culture of chaos in the Alabama State House is also about to change starting with the new legislative session.
In a joint press conference Monday, Hubbard and Marsh said that they are working on ways to streamline access on the fifth and seventh floors were lawmakers meet to relieve hallway congestion for safety.
Hubbard said during the December special session a new House member was harassed and barricaded in an office by opponents of a bill that was being considered.
“We want to know who is back there, especially after Tuscon,” Hubbard said.
Marsh said there have been times when he’s gone back to his office and found six lobbyists waiting on him.
“Anyone who goes down the halls (knows) it’s chaotic,” he said.
Marsh said he and Hubbard are looking at ways to restrict access to the fifth and seventh floors on Tuesday and Thursday starting this session. Next year, after some reconfiguring of the third and fourth floors to create more meeting space, restrictions could come for Wednesdays too.
Marsh said the public and lobbyists would still be able to get to legislators, but it would be done in a more organized way such as setting up appointments. He said the public won’t have to make an appointment a month in advance.
ALGOP releases ad attacking Democratic aristocracy
The Alabama Republican Party, as part of its Campaign 2010 to try to take control of the Legislature from Democrats for the first time in more than a century, released the following web ad, which features images of Sens. Roger Bedford, Lowell Barron and Zeb Little, House Majority Leader Ken Guin and Rep. Terry Spicer:
Veteran state senator Preuitt drops reelection bid
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Veteran state Sen. Jim Preuitt of Talladega is dropping his campaign for a sixth term.
Preuitt had switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party to run this year. But he announced Tuesday evening that his heart is not in the race.
The 75-year-old Preuitt was to face Democrat Jerry Fielding of Sylacauga in the Nov. 2 general election.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard said he respected Preuitt's decision and would seek guidance from the Alabama secretary of state's office on the possibility of selecting a replacement candidate.
Preuitt called the decision one of the most difficult of his public life.
Montgomery lawyer Joe Hubbard, the Democratic candidate for House District 73, appears to be fighting back against what he believes is a push poll funded by the Alabama Republican Party. He is seeking to unseat state Rep. David Grimes, R-Montgomery. A spokesman for the GOP has said it stands behind the poll and said the party does not conduct push polls. Hubbard does not address issues in the ad, but pokes fun at Republicans trying to connect him to liberals.
The Alabama Republican Party had a few choice words for Democratic Congressman Bobby Bright over his comments about the possible demise of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. But the state GOP was by no means sticking up for the oft vilified lawmaker from California.
State Rep. Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, urged voters in the 2nd Congressional District, which Bright represents, to be wary of what he called in a statement "Bright’s spineless response."
“We are facing the largest deficit in American history as well as a liberal Congress that is undermining the entire process by forcing government mandates like Obamacare,” Hubbard said in the statement. “And Bobby Bright is so scared of his fellow Democrats in Congress that he can’t even answer the question on whether or not he’ll give the gavel back to Pelosi? That’s pretty pathetic.”
“Alabamians are tired of the liberal power grab, they are tired of being told what to do by Obama and Pelosi, and they are fed up with wasteful spending and looming tax increases,” Hubbard went on to say in the statement. “The hardworking folks in the 2nd Congressional District need someone who will fight for them and help bring new jobs to their communities, not an empty suit who can’t even answer the easy questions.”
“You ask Republican Martha Roby (Bright's Republican opponent) if she’ll support Pelosi and you’ll get a ‘no’ every time, but ask Bright and you’ll get an answer cloaked in cowardice,” Hubbard said.
Republicans are extending their hand to the people of Alabama and asking for control of both chambers of the State Legislature this year.
With GOP elected officials and hopefuls surrounding him, House Minority Leader and Alabama Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard said Monday that like the five fingers of the hand, he and his fellow party members have five specific things they would do if they gain control of the Legislature.
What is being called the “Republican Handshake with Alabama” would address job creation and other economic opportunities, measures to stop wasteful government spending, ending corruption in state government, illegal immigration and fighting against the federal government.
The five agenda items also throw their support behind the Republican gubernatorial nominee Dr. Robert Bentley, whom Hubbard said he believes will be the next governor of Alabama.
More specifically the agenda, under these five issues, would do the following:
-- Build on Republican gubernatorial nominee Dr. Robert Bentley’s job-creation tax that was passed successfully during the 2010 legislative session. -- Expand the small business health insurance tax credit for employers and employees who pay for health insurance -- Support Bentley’s creation of a cabinet-level office of small business creation -- Fight to ensure Alabama remains a right-to-work state and the secret ballot is preserved -- Implement a new budgeting process -- Ban double dipping by public officials -- Require lobbyists to report every dime they spend on those officials -- Push for immigration legislation similar to what was passed in Arizona -- Fight back against what Republicans see as the “Washington, D.C. power grab”
“We’re saying, put us in charge and we will pass these things,” Hubbard said. “Give us a chance to do it.”
Montgomery Police officer to challenge Love in District 74 race
Voters in House District 74 will have two men named Jay to choose from when they go to the ballot box in November.
Montgomery Police Lt. Jay King is taking on two-term Republican State Rep. Jay Love of Montgomery, to represent the district that covers part of east Montgomery. Love faced no opposition in the June 1 Republican primary, and there is no Democratic opponent.
King, a one-time candidate for mayor, announced this week that he has qualified to run as an independent candidate. King exceeded the 345 signatures he needed from voters in House District 74. In fact his petition had 402 signatures.
He also met all of the other requirements to gain independent access to the ballot, according to officials with the Secretary of State’s office and the Alabama Ethics Commission. Barring any kind of court challenge to his candidacy, King’s name will appear on the general election ballot in November.
"I’m running as an independent because if I am elected to office I will be obligated to the people who elected me, not any political party or special interest," he said.
Attorney General Troy King is firing back against accusations that he is attempting to block Republican candidate for governor Tim James from having a recount.
James, who came in third during the state's primary elections, has said he wants a recount, and King said the opinion he issued at the request of Secretary of State Beth Chapman doesn't stop him from getting one. He hopes that a recount will net him the votes he needs to knock Dr. Robert Bentley, who edged James out of the runoff with former two-year college Chancellor Bradley Byrne, with 167 votes out of second place.
But King issued a statement Monday, to "set the record straight."
"Tim James accused me of blocking his recount from going forward," King said in a statement. "That is simply not true. My opinion said the recount could go forward, and, it is indeed going forward tomorrow."
King said if James wants to challenge the results after the recount, he can do that, but his challenge would be before the Alabama Republican Party, not King. King also said in his statement that James, nor the party, are required to follow his opinion, it was intended for the guidance of the Chapman, who requested it.
State GOP opens qualifying in Montgomery, Birmingham
The Alabama Republican Party is opening a special location for two days in Montgomery to qualify candidates for this year's election. The Montgomery location will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday on the sixth floor of the RSA Plaza, 770 Washington Ave. Candidates can also qualify at the party headquarters, 3415 Independence Drive in Birmingham from Tuesday until qualifying ends on April 2. "Obviously with the Legislature in session, there are a lot of candidates that are naturally in Montgomery, so we felt that having two locations would make it easier on everyone," said state Rep. Mike Hubbard, chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. "There is so much excitement surrounding this election cycle, having two locations open for the initial surge when qualifying opens also comes out of necessity due to the volume of people who are running his year." Qualifying forms will be available at the locations in Montgomery and Birmingham and are available online at www.Alabama2010.com. People can click on the "Candidates" link for the proper forms and information on fees.
South Union Street is the blog of Montgomery Advertiser political reporters Markeshia Ricks and Sebastian Kitchen. Always check here for the latest on the Legislature, elections and other activities and players in Alabama.
