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.

Inside the Statehouse: Breaking down the governor’s race

When talk turns to politics in Alabama, it usually leads to the Governor’s race. In Alabama politics, the Governor’s office is the Brass Ring. It is talked about more than anything else around coffee clubs and kitchen tables from Sand Mountain to the Wiregrass. It is comparable to college football being the king of all sports in Alabama. … Continued

Steve Flowers

March 21, 2018

Opinion

Milton McGregor still on the scene

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse As the June primaries for our statewide races get closer, there is a lot of media attention and stories written about the power being wielded by special interests, PACs and big money. They focus on the large amount of cash and influence being bet on the horses for governor and … Continued

Steve Flowers

March 7, 2018

Opinion

Inside the State House: Elections

By Steve Flowers Inside the State House The 2018 legislative session will be short and sweet. It is an election year. Historically, during the last year of a quadrennium, the legislature convenes early and passes the budgets, then goes home and campaigns for reelection to another four year term. Our forefathers, who wrote our 1901 Constitution must … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 21, 2018

Opinion

Inside the State House: The Capitol Press Corps

By Steve Flowers Inside the State House I have written about the legendary capitol reporters who use to cover Goat Hill. There was Bob Ingram of the Montgomery Advertiser, Al Fox of the Birmingham News, Hugh Sparrow of the Birmingham News, Rex Thomas of the Associated Press, Don Martin of UPI and Clarke Stallworth of … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 14, 2018

Opinion

Steve Flowers: Shelby, Ivey can brush off Senate special election critiques

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse A few weeks back my column illuminated the career and influence attained by our senior U.S. Senator Richard Shelby. In the column and in my book, “Six Decades of Alabama Political Stories,” I reference the fact that our current senior senator will be regarded as one of Alabama’s greatest … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 7, 2018

Opinion

Alabama’s Year of the Woman

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse This political year of 2018 may very well be the Year of the Woman in Alabama politics. In Alabama’s 200 year history, only one woman has been elected governor. Lurleen Wallace won in 1966. Only two women have served as governor, Governor Lurleen and our current governor, Kay Ivey. … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 31, 2018

Opinion

Sen. Jones has little wiggle room facing 2020

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse As the 2018 state elections begin, let’s take one last look at the 2017 Special Election to fill the remaining three years of Jeff Sessions’ six-year term which, by the way, comes up in two years in 2020. It is assumed by most astute political observers that the winner, … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 24, 2018

Opinion

“They May as Well Move the Capitol to Tuscaloosa”

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse Awhile back, during Dr. Robert Bentley’s tenure as governor, I wrote a column entitled, “They May as Well Move the Capitol to Tuscaloosa.” Never before in Alabama history has a city had a sitting governor and the state’s senior U.S. Senator hail from that particular place. Even with the … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 18, 2018

Opinion

History may record Sen. Richard Shelby as Alabama’s greatest senator

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse A few months back the Jefferson County Republican Party honored our Senior U.S. Senator, Richard Shelby. It was held at The Club in Birmingham. The view from atop Red Mountain from this elegant club is spectacular, especially at night from the ballroom. The glass enclosure allows you to see … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 10, 2018

Opinion

Steve Flowers: Democrat Doug Jones won because Roy Moore was the Republican nominee

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse As we enter the 2018 campaign season, many of you have asked me to look back and analyze the 2017 Special Election Senate race and explain in depth what happened and why. The most asked question is how could a Democrat win a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama and … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 3, 2018