By Staff
Presidential election years are generally less interesting or exciting political years in Alabama. We have very few state races on the ballot. Historically, we Alabamians have gotten more excited about state gubernatorial races than presidential races. I guess our forefathers suspected that our political interests would be more geared toward state and local politics so they put most of these offices on the ballot in gubernatorial years.
In two years we will vote for Governor, Lt. Governor, all seven constitutional offices, several seats on the Supreme Court, all 140 members of the Alabama House and Senate and all 67 sheriffs and probate judges. Now that the qualifying deadline has ended I will enumerate the contests for you.
Jim Sullivan, who has served as President of the Public Service Commission for over two decades, is stepping down. He has had a stellar career as head of the three member commission that regulates utility rates in the state. He is also the only male and only Republican among the three current commissioners. Jan Cook and Susan Parker, both Democrats, are up for reelection in 2010. Lucy Baxley is trying to make the PSC all female and all Democratic. Baxley, who suffered a debilitating stroke shortly after her 2006 loss to Bob Riley in the Governor's race, is the lone Democratic qualifier in the PSC race. Three Republicans have signed up. The most prominent is Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, who is Gov. Riley's closest confidant and has served a stint as Chair of the State Republican Party. She lost an earlier race for State Treasurer six years ago. Jack Hornady, a retired PSC staffer, is also running for a second time. Hornady ran a good race two years ago. A third candidate, Matt Chancey, is making his first venture into state politics. Cavanaugh or Hornady should be favored to face Lucy Baxley in the fall.
U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions is up for reelection for his third six-year term. He will be a prohibitive favorite to win reelection and will only have token opposition in the primary and in the fall. Sessions had a Republican qualify against him the last week, Earl Mack Gavin. Three Democrats also boldly signed up for the slaughter, State Senator Vivian Figures and two “also rans,” Johnny Swanson and Mark Townsend. The eventual winner of the Democratic primary will be State Senator Vivian Figures, an unknown and underfunded State Senator from Mobile, who will be offered up as the sacrificial lamb in November.
In all of the above races the winners of the June GOP primaries will be the favorites in the fall. In presidential election years Alabamians have overwhelmingly voted Republican for President and straight down the ticket. This is particularly true for judicial races. Alabamians have for four decades shown a propensity for Republicans for President, especially when the Democrats nominate a liberal or left of center candidate, which will be the case this year.
Steve Flowers is a political columnist who served 16 years in the State Legislature. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.