Author

Steve Flowers

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

1964 Goldwater landslide was beginning of Republican dominance in the South

Our primary runoffs have been postponed until July 14, 2020. It was a wise and prudent decision by Secretary of State John Merrill and Gov. Kay Ivey. Most voters are older and you are asking them to come out and vote and at the same time stay home. The main event will be the GOP … Continued

Steve Flowers

April 1, 2020

Opinion

U.S. Senate runoff moved to July

The GOP contest for who sits in our number two U.S. Senate seat has been delayed until July 14, 2020 due to the coronavirus. The winner of the battle between Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville will more than likely be our junior US. Senator for six years. Neither are spring chickens. Sessions will be 74 … Continued

Steve Flowers

March 25, 2020

Opinion

U.S. Senate race will be decided in runoff

We have a great race for the U.S. Senate. When the votes from the first primary were counted Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville were in a virtual tie at 32 percent and 33 percent, respectively. Mobile-Baldwin Congressman Bradley Byrne garnered 25 percent of the vote which is significant and Judge Roy Moore’s 7 percent is … Continued

Steve Flowers

March 18, 2020

Opinion

March 3rd Primary analysis

Allow me to Share some thoughts and analysis on the March 3rd Primary results. The Primary is referred to as the Presidential Preference Primary. Voters choose which Party Primary they want to vote in and which presidential candidate they prefer to be their Party’s nominee. The turnout was amazingly high, despite rain and inclement weather over … Continued

Steve Flowers

March 11, 2020

Opinion

Chancellor Finis St. John and the University of Alabama system

Our 1901 Alabama Constitution has been rightfully criticized as being archaic. However, it was simply a reflection of the times. The authors and crafters of our document were well educated gentry. Therefore they appreciated and realized the importance of having a prized capstone university. The University of Alabama was founded in 1831 and had become … Continued

Steve Flowers

March 4, 2020

Opinion

Primaries next week

Folks, our primaries are next week! On the Democratic side, the Presidential Preference Primary will be the big show and will be interesting to watch. On the right, the Republican Primary for the U.S. Senate Seat will be the marquee event. In addition to the Senate Race, you have two open Republican Congressional Seats in … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 26, 2020

Opinion

Open Seat for the 2nd Congressional District will be decided in March

Over the course of history, the second congressional district has been referred to and considered a Montgomery congressional district because the Capital City has comprised the bulk of the population. In recent years a good many Montgomerians have migrated to the suburban counties of Autauga and Elmore. Therefore, the district has been refigured to reflect … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 19, 2020

Opinion

As legislative session begins, priority will be resolving prison problems

The 2020 Legislative Session, which began last week, will be the second session of Governor Kay Ivey’s administration. For the second straight year, she and the legislature will be facing a major obstacle. The prison problem is the paramount issue for the year. The state must address and resolve this dilemma or the federal authorities … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 12, 2020

Opinion

Legislative Session begins this week. Legislator abolishes his own county.

The 2020 Legislative Session begins this week. It will be an interesting three and a-half months. There are a myriad of important issues that legislators have to address this year, as always. However, standing in the way of substantive state issues each year is the necessity to address local bills. Our 1901 Constitution is archaic … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 5, 2020

Opinion

1st District seat open Great Three-Man Race to replace Byrne Senate Race in full gear

The first district Congressional race is probably the best race in the state in this year’s March 3rd Primary. The winner of the March 31st GOP Primary runoff will go to Congress. The famous first district is a Republican congressional seat and has been since Jack Edwards won the seat in the Southern Goldwater landslide … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 29, 2020