Former congressman endorses Roby

Former U.S. Rep. Terry Everett, who served eight terms in the U.S. House district that includes parts of Montgomery and the Wiregrass, is endorsing fellow Republican Martha Roby in the November election for his former seat.
Roby, a Montgomery city councilwoman, faces freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright, the former mayor of Montgomery.
"I thank Congressman Everett for his support and his guidance," Roby said. "He is a public servant in the best sense of the word and served this district well. I am grateful to have him stand with me in this campaign, and I look forward to working with him in the coming months."
Everett's endorsement is not a surprise. He endorsed Bright's 2008 opponent, state Rep. Jay Love of Montgomery, and recorded commercials for Love that were critical of Bright and spoke critically of the then-mayor during the campaign.
Bright was able to narrowly defeat Love in 2008 to become the first Democrat to represent the district since the 1960s.
"We need to restore conservative leadership in Washington," Everett said. "Nancy Pelosi doesn't represent the values of southeast Alabama. We need to send someone who will fight for our conservative values every day. Martha Roby will do that."
Bright voted for Pelosi as speaker of the House, but has voted with Republicans on almost all other major issues.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Smith has primary competition for Senate seat

Dothan businessman George Flowers plans to run against fellow Republican Harri Anne Smith for her state Senate seat.
Beginning in December, he raised more than $100,000 to run for the southeast Alabama Senate seat.
"Our success in fundraising convinced me we would have the resources needed to run a competitive and ultimately successful race," Flowers said. "It is obvious there is a hunger throughout the district for new leadership in Montgomery, and the money we raised in just one month is evidence of that fact."
Smith angered some in her party when she endorsed the Democratic candidate, Bobby Bright, in the race for congressional District 2. She lost in a runoff in the Republican primary to state Rep. Jay Love.
Flowers said he recognizes the importance of Country Crossing to the Wiregrass and said he would support a statewide referendum if the legislation is acceptable and the revenues are taxed at a national standard.
He criticized the incumbent for several of her votes including one on a teacher code of ethics.
Former U.S. Rep. Terry Everett was among the first to contribute to Flowers' campaign.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen