Democrat Doug Jones Launches Re-election Campaign
Doug Jones is considered the most endangered Democrat in the Senate. He’s a target for Republicans in the 2020 election who want the seat back. He launched his re-election campaign Sunday, challenging voters to look at his record instead of the labels cast on him by his opponents.
In 2017, Jones became Alabama’s first Democratic Senator in more than two decades. He upset Republican conservative Roy Moore in a defeat observed around the world.
Speaking to a crowd at the B&A Warehouse, Jones talked about his “One Alabama” theme of unity in the state. “There is more that unites us than what divides us,” he says.
Jones told supporters he will win again in 2020, but it won’t be easy.
“Don’t get me wrong. I know that election was close. I get it,” Jones says. “And I’m not foolish enough to think that this one won’t be close as well. It is.”
Jones ticked off a list of accomplishments, including funding for rural WiFi and getting more money for historically black colleges and universities. He says he made some of those things happen by working with politicians across the aisle.
That’s one thing that caught the attention of retired lawyer Mike Weathers, who drove from Florence to attend the event.
“I think he has certainly, already, in the short period of time he’s been in the Senate demonstrated his ability to try to work with the folks on the other side of the aisle,” Weathers says.
Carole Marks, chair of the Shelby County Democrats, says for Jones to be re-elected, black and white Democrats have to work together.
“We have to get them motivated to go to the polls,” she says.
On the Republican side, Roy Moore, U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville, and Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill are among those running for the seat.
Gambling bills face uncertain future in the Alabama legislature
This year looked to be different for lottery and gambling legislation, which has fallen short for years in the Alabama legislature. But this week, with only a handful of meeting days left, competing House and Senate proposals were sent to a conference committee to work out differences.
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.
