GOP Plays to Social Conservatives in Statewide Primaries
Alabama voters go to the polls June 5th for party primaries. In addition to governor, they’ll choose nominees for lieutenant governor, attorney general and chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Most of the action is on the Republican side. Montgomery Advertiser state government reporter Brian Lyman gives an overview of the races in an interview with WBHM’s Andrew Yeager.
Attorney General
Republicans: incumbent Attorney General Steve Marshall, former Attorney General Troy King, former U.S. Attorney Alice Martin, Birmingham attorney Chess Bedsole
Democrats: Birmingham attorneys Chris Christe and Joseph Siegelman
“These are four [Republican] candidates who, and I think this is true of all the Republican races, we’re seeing a lot of public, red-meat appeals. There’s a lot of talk about Trump. A lot of this is hinging on the recent scandals that have taken place in Montgomery…
“Both [Democratic] candidates are talking about things like, for instance prison reform … and trying to address overcrowding in the state’s prison system. You are hearing both men talk a lot about addressing the opioid crisis, about trying to enhance consumer protection.”
Lieutenant Governor
Republicans: Public Service Commission Chairwoman Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, State Rep. Will Ainsworth, State Sen. Rusty Glover
Democrats: Florence minister Will Boyd
“It’s hard to get people excited about lieutenant governor races, which I think is one reason you’re seeing Cavanaugh and Ainsworth in particular just really hit those social issues and those Trump-loyalty issues really hard … [Glover] has taken a more moderate tact, talking more about bringing people together. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out, particularly if Cavanaugh and Ainsworth end up nuking each other on the airwaves.”
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice
Republicans: incumbent Chief Justice Lyn Stuart, State Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker
Democrats: Judge Bob Vance
“Lyn Stewart has come out talking about her support of capital punishment. Tom Parker is a longtime ally of [former Chief Justice] Roy Moore. What we’re seeing here is a real fight for those socially conservative voters.”
Read candidate profiles compiled by BirminghamWatch.
Find more of WBHM’s 2018 election coverage here.
Alabama’s racial, ethnic health disparities are ‘more severe’ than other states, report says
Data from the Commonwealth Fund show that the quality of care people receive and their health outcomes worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s your favorite thing about Alabama?
That's the question we put to those at our recent News and Brews community pop-ups at Hop City and Saturn in Birmingham.
Q&A: A former New Orleans police chief says it’s time the U.S. changes its marijuana policy
Ronal Serpas is one of 32 law enforcement leaders who signed a letter sent to President Biden in support of moving marijuana to a Schedule III drug.
How food stamps could play a key role in fixing Jackson’s broken water system
JXN Water's affordability plan aims to raise much-needed revenue while offering discounts to customers in need, but it is currently tied up in court.
Alabama mine cited for federal safety violations since home explosion led to grandfather’s death, grandson’s injuries
Following a home explosion that killed one and critically injured another, residents want to know more about the mine under their community. So far, their questions have largely gone unanswered.
Crawfish prices are finally dropping, but farmers and fishers are still struggling
Last year’s devastating drought in Louisiana killed off large crops of crawfish, leading to a tough season for farmers, fishers and seafood lovers.
