Alabama Democrats hope for improved showing in 2022 elections
Politics in Alabama is extremely lopsided. Republicans hold all statewide offices plus supermajorities in the state legislature. With the exception of the election of U.S. Senator Doug Jones in a special election in 2017, Democrats have made little headway electorally outside of some local races. But Alabama Democrats are in a good position this year according to the head of the Alabama Democratic Party.
“Once you see all the commercials and the fighting that the Republicans are doing, it paints a stark contrast between some of the more extreme elements of their message and their base versus the message that you will get from Democratic candidates,” said state Rep. Chris England, state party chairman.
England said Republicans in Alabama are running on issues that divide and scare people while Democrats are focused on issues that make a difference in voters’ lives.
“I think that you’ll see that not only are [statewide Democratic candidates] better candidates, but they have a better platform,” England said.
Alabama Democrats have pushed for Medicaid expansion and legalization of recreational marijuana. England spoke in favor of abortion rights after the leak of a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion suggested the justices are set to overturn Roe v. Wade. England described those as “winning issues,” citing national polling that showed majority support for some level of abortion access and softening views on marijuana.
England said a recently enacted Alabama law banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth interferes with the rights of parents to raise their children. He said Democrats will protect voting rights which he called a “non-partisan issue.”
While England does not expect Democrats to suddenly sweep all their candidates into office this fall, he does predict more competitive races for Huntsville and Birmingham-area state legislative races.
“You measure success relative to the circumstance that you’re dealing with,” England said.
DNC chair says he’s tired of Democrats bringing ‘pencil to a knife fight’
Day 1 of the Democratic National Committee's summer meeting saw party chair Ken Martin detail how the party is pushing back on Trump administration policies and trying to win back voters.
The DOJ sued the federal district bench in Maryland. A judge just dismissed the case
A district judge in Virginia was specially tapped to oversee the unusual case after DOJ named all 15 federal district court judges in Maryland as defendants in a lawsuit related to deportations.
This week sees a number of new books from seasoned heavy hitters
A number of seasoned veterans with a taste for big swings and clever premises have new novels out this week, including stories of gothic horror and dark academia from the likes of R.F. Kuang, Leah Stein and Helen Oyeyemi.
Whatever happened to … the optimist who thinks games and music can change the world
On a planet that can feel increasingly challenged, we asked activist Edgard Gouveia Jr. about his latest efforts to improve life on Earth, what "artivism" is — and what he dreams of.
You’ve heard of a senior prom. How about a prom for senior citizens?
Fitness instructor Tracy Williams has a passion for this age group. She's planning a "senior" prom for those who never had a chance to go to their proms or would like a do-over.
How plants and fungi trade resources without a brain
Fungi and plants have something to teach humans about global trade and cooperation