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.

Brett Kavanaugh to SCOTUS would assure Trump legacy

The appointment of a United States Supreme Court Justice is one of the most profound legacies that a U. S. President can achieve. The opportunity that President Donald Trump was given to appoint Neil Gorsuch to the High Tribunal last year will be a monumental achievement of the Trump administration. The chance to name a second … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 15, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Primary political potpourri

Now that the dust has settled on the primaries, allow me to share with you some thoughts on the Alabama political stage. There is an old saying that says the more things change, the more they stay the same. This old adage is true in Alabama politics. First of all, “All politics is local.” In the … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 9, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: More analysis of GOP runoff

Currently, congressmen/women win reelection at a 98 percent rate. The communist politburo does not have that high of a reelection percentage. Maybe we have more in common with the Russians than Washington CNN reporters think. It is hard to get beat as an incumbent congressman. Martha Roby tried but even though she was the most vulnerable Republican incumbent … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 1, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Potpourri/Notebook from June 5 primary

You have the results of Tuesday’s runoff elections. I had to go to press with my column before the results were known. There are some fantastic runoff races which should be close and interesting. The four best will be Troy King versus Steve Marshall in the Attorney General’s race. The Lt. Governor runoff between Twinkle … Continued

Steve Flowers

July 18, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Primary runoffs next week

Well folks, if you vote in the Republican primary you may want to go back to the polls next week and finish selecting the GOP nominees for several important state offices. If you are a Democrat the only reason you will need to vote on Tuesday is if you have a runoff in a local … Continued

Steve Flowers

July 11, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: 4th of July / Trump and Big Jim

Otto Whittaker wrote the following essay, “I Am the Nation” in 1955 as a public relations advertisement for the Norfolk and Western Railway. The message found in Mr. Whittaker’s essay is still appropriate for this Independence Day, so I have chosen to include it below as part of my weekly column. “I was born on July … Continued

Steve Flowers

July 4, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Best races of the year have been for attorney general, lieutenant governor

The best races of the year have been for Attorney General and Lt. Governor, as well as Agriculture Commissioner and for the 2nd Congressional district. The Attorney General post is considered the best stepping stone to Governor and U.S. Senator. It is very high profile and prosecutes bad guys who go to jail and cannot vote … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 27, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Judicial races highlighted – June 5 primary

This is not just a gubernatorial year in the Heart of Dixie. We have every constitutional office up for election which includes Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor and Agriculture Commissioner. We also have a good many of the State Judicial races on the ballot. We have nine seats on our … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 19, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Analysis of gubernatorial primaries

Now that the dust has settled from last week’s gubernatorial primaries, let’s analyze the outcome. Governor Kay Ivey and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox won very impressive victories. Ms. Ivey beat three well-financed opponents without a runoff. She trounced them. She garnered 56 percent of the vote to 25 percent for Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. Evangelist Scott Dawson and Mobile … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 13, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Buck’s pocket

You voted Tuesday on a crowded ballot. Historically, in Alabama we have voted more heavily in our Governor’s race year than in a presidential year. That is probably because we were more interested in the local sheriff and probate judge’s races, which run in a gubernatorial year, than who is president. The old adage, “all politics is … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 6, 2018