Congressman Bachus won’t run for Re-election

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2013/09/bachus-75.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:301;s:4:"file";s:21:"2013/09/bachus-75.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:5:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bachus-75-336x169.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:169;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bachus-75-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"bachus-75-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bachus-75-470x236.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:236;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bachus-75-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:287678;s:14:"optimized_size";i:124888;s:7:"percent";d:56.590000000000003;}s:5:"sizes";a:8:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:49:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:164382;s:14:"optimized_size";i:39139;s:7:"percent";d:76.189999999999998;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:7760;s:14:"optimized_size";i:5789;s:7:"percent";d:25.399999999999999;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75-336x169.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:19635;s:14:"optimized_size";i:14734;s:7:"percent";d:24.960000000000001;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75-600x301.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:44311;s:14:"optimized_size";i:30564;s:7:"percent";d:31.02;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:20599;s:14:"optimized_size";i:13384;s:7:"percent";d:35.030000000000001;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75-470x236.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:30991;s:14:"optimized_size";i:21278;s:7:"percent";d:31.34;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1636795554 
1380499200

Spencer Bachus started his day at Birmingham TV station WBRC. He was there to talk about the looming federal government shutdown, but first offered a message to his constituents.

“It has been my greatest privilege to serve as their congressman for really the last 20-and-a-half years. And Linda and I and our family…we’ve made the decision that I won’t seek re-election,” Bachus said.

In a statement, Bachus talked about his wife, Linda’s, support, and added that it’s an appropriate time to announce his decision and let others have the opportunity to serve.

While the announcement caught many by surprise, some see it as a part of a shifting political landscape in Alabama.

Bachus is in his eleventh term representing much of suburban Birmingham. He’s chair of the House Financial Services Committee and the senior member of Alabama’s Congressional delegation. Many Republicans praised Bachus for his leadership and dedication.

“Congressman Bachus has done an extremely good job. He’s very approachable. He represents that district well,” said Alabama Governor Robert Bentley.

While Bachus has served as chair of the Alabama Republican Party, he’s considered a moderate. Former University of Alabama political scientist William Stewart says Bachus is conservative, but not a firebrand.

“He has never, at least in my memory, engaged in the rhetoric of the real right wing, in terms of we don’t want gun control, certainly we don’t want gay marriage, we certainly don’t want abortion and various other hot button issues,” said Stewart.

Moderates like Bachus face increasing pressure from those further right. Last year, he defeated a primary challenge from Tea Party-backed candidates but spent $1.6 million dollars to do it. There were rumblings he would be targeted again. Stewart says the prospect of another fight probably influenced Bachus’ decision.

“I don’t know that he would particularly enjoy a very competitive primary against perhaps multiple challengers,” said Stewart.

Republicans may be reacting most to Bachus’ decision, but Governor Robert Bentley says the move could have wider implications for Alabama as it relates to Washington.

“I think that does hurt us some as seniority is concerned especially in the House where we have the majority,” Bentley said.

Political scientist William Stewart says Bachus’ announcement comes after Mobile Congressman Jo Bonner resigned from Congress this summer. So Alabama will now depend more on its two senators for influence as opposed to its relatively young Congressional delegation.

Bachus says he’ll serve the remainder of his term but that hasn’t stopped people from floating names of potential candidates for the seat. Next year’s Republican primary in Alabama’s sixth congressional district was expected to be a hot contest. But now it won’t include the name Spencer Bachus.

~ Andrew Yeager, Sept. 30, 2013

 

Israeli strikes kill dozens in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, medics say

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 46 people in the Gaza Strip in the past day, medics said. In Lebanon, warplanes struck Beirut's southern suburbs and killed 33 people in the country on Tuesday.

US prohibits airlines from flying to Haiti after planes were shot by gangs

The shootings were part of a wave of violence that erupted as the country plagued by gang violence swore in its new prime minister after a politically tumultuous process.

Trump taps Musk to lead a ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ with Ramaswamy

President-elect Trump announced a "Department of Government Efficiency," or DOGE, that will be led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, focused on shrinking the federal government.

Trump to nominate Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be defense secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has announced he will nominate Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as secretary of defense. Hegseth is a combat veteran who has long advocated for veterans.

Georgia counties certify the election, as fraud claims dissipate after Trump win

Every county in Georgia has certified its general election results. There had been concerns about election certification, but with Donald Trump's victory, those worries have largely gone away.

‘Orbital’ by Samantha Harvey wins 2024 Booker Prize

Samantha Harvey has won the 2024 Booker Prize for her science fiction novel Orbital. The novel follows six international astronauts as they orbit the Earth for one day of their nine-month space mission.

More Government Coverage