Alabama Politics

WBHM Politics: Women Running for Office

The ballot for state elections this fall is shaping up after Friday’s deadline for candidates to qualify. There are a notable number of women running for office this year. Alabama’s governor and chief justice are both women and they're are running to keep their jobs. The #MeToo movement appears to have encouraged some women to jump into the fray as well.

Secretary of State Questions Election Commission Request for Voter Data

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill was in Indianapolis this past weekend for the National Association of Secretaries of State’s annual conference. He says President Donald Trump’s Election Integrity Commission was the center of conversations both in and out of conference sessions. “This is the thing that has dominated almost the entire discussion public and private […]

Who is Worse? Democrats or Republicans?

When it comes to less than stellar behavior in Alabama politics, both sides bring plenty to the table. Democrats are the party of George Wallace and the two-year college scandal. Republicans have now seen their House Speaker Mike Hubbard removed from office on ethics convictions. Meanwhile Republican Chief Justice Roy Moore faces his own ethics charges and Governor Robert Bentley faces an impeachment effort. Which side is worse? Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says it's a trick question.

Peering Through the Fog of the Governor’s Divorce

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley says his divorce is private matter. They’re the first public comments he’s made since First Lady Diane Bentley filed for divorce Friday after 50 years of marriage. The divorce has helped fuel rumors of an extramarital affair. The personal turmoil comes as the governor prepares for a second special session aimed at resolving the state’s General Fund budget shortfall. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.

Lying Politicians and our Threatened State History

Politicians are generally not known for their honesty. You can call it stretching the truth or spin. But sometimes elected leaders are caught in a lie plain and simple. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says that’s what’s happening right now in Montgomery as state leaders search for ways to close a more than $280 million gap in the General Fund Budget. He also says that shortfall also threatens how we preserve our state history.

What’s Next For The Alabama Democratic Party?

It's been almost 12 years since a Democrat held a major office in Alabama. But recently, there seems to be new energy among Democrats. In April of last year, Mark Kennedy resigned as chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party. He created a new foundation, the Alabama Democratic Majority. Kennedy's split with party leadership wasn't pretty, but the new foundation has political leaders talking.