Republicans Maintain Firm Control After Alabama Midterms
Republicans left no doubt about their hold on Alabama politics Tuesday. Republican incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey turned back a challenge from Democrat Walt Maddox. The Republicans kept all statewide offices and won all contested congressional races in Alabama. We take a look at the election results for Republicans with Jacksonville State University political science professor Lori Owens.
Interview Highlights
Ivey’s low-key campaign strategy and choice not to debate:
“Certain people would have liked to have heard both of their views, but she was ahead in the polls. She had no incentive to debate Walt Maddox. If she had agreed to do that, that would have elevated his status, basically. So they made a strategic decision for her not to debate him and it worked out last night.”
Whether Alabama Republicans would win regardless of the specific candidate:
“I think we’re gonna see that for a while. I think where you’ll see the battles will be in those Republican primary races. But the Republicans will have to be very careful not to overplay their hand. But the Republicans who would be vulnerable would be the incumbent Republicans. Right now they would be more vulnerable to other Republicans who might want to kick them out of office.”
Concerns for Republicans despite their dominance:
“We went from one-party Democrat and very briefly we had a strong two-party system in this state. And now, obviously, we’re very one-party Republican. But success breeds complacency. One-party-ism ultimately breeds some corruption when you don’t have another loyal opposition party that can be the watchful eye on you. The biggest danger right now to Republicans will be they will eventually start fighting among themselves the way the Democrats did when they were the dominant party. The Republicans already do have various factions. So when you don’t have a strong opposing party, you’ve got to have an enemy somewhere and the enemy will be inside the tent, if you will.”
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
Colorado says relocation of Space Command to Alabama is ‘punishment’ for mail-in voting
The litigation announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser asks a federal judge to block the move as unconstitutional.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
