opponents Archives • Alabama Political Reporter

Merrill becomes the candidate to watch in U.S. Senate race

In his opening bid to become the next U.S. Senator from Alabama, Secretary of State John Merrill hit all the right notes to appeal to Republican primary voters. In an approximately 90-second video, Merrill took on the liberal left, touted his conservative record and slammed his closest Republican opponents Congressman Bradley Byrne, former Auburn football … Continued

July 1, 2019

Former state auditor candidate arrested on felony charges

A former Republican candidate for state auditor has been arrested and charged with three felony counts related to illegally accessing confidential law enforcement records about his opponents in the primary. Elliott Owen Lipinsky was arrested last week on the three felony charges, and he surrendered to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office on April 3. He … Continued

April 8, 2019

Secretary of State John Merrill isn’t very collegial

As we head to the last weekend before next Tuesday’s midterm elections, Alabama voters need to be reminded how Republican candidates have conducted themselves this campaign season. Very few Republican candidates have debated their Democratic opponents. That’s because Republicans would rather not have to defend their programs and policies in front of an opponent who, … Continued

November 1, 2018

The duty of the voter

Now that Labor Day is behind us, the political campaigns for November’s General Election are in full swing. Or should be. While polls indicate Democrats likely will take back the U.S. House of Representatives, nothing is certain. It depends on which side can get out their voters. In Alabama, these “midterm” elections are always a … Continued

September 6, 2018

Knight, Holmes are defeated in Montgomery

Two Montgomery powerhouses — and two of the most prominent Democrats in the state — fell Tuesday night. Rep. Alvin Holmes, the longest-serving member of the Legislature having served 45 years, and Rep. John Knight, a powerful lawmaker who has himself served for 26 years, were defeated in primary runoff races by relatively unknown opponents. Kirk … Continued

July 18, 2018

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

June 13, 2018

Boys State debate couldn’t come at a better time

What do you think about political debates? Do they matter? I think they do. I’m going to participate as part of a panel for two gubernatorial debates next week at Alabama Boys State. The Republican gubernatorial candidates will meet on Tuesday evening (7 p.m.) at the University of Alabama’s Morgan Auditorium in Morgan Hall, and … Continued

May 24, 2018

Cobb’s pledge sets a trap for rivals; Very Trumpian

Democrat gubernatorial candidate Sue Bell Cobb, last week, put forward a campaign pledge as cover for her failure to vet a field director who is a registered sex offender. Rather than admitting her mistake and firing the sex offender and the staff member who hired him, she tried to change the subject by blaming the … Continued

May 17, 2018

Let’s get our facts straight on the bridge

It’s always amazing how some people can misinterpret the facts. A case in point is the recent controversy over the proposed coastal bridge in Baldwin County. It’s hard for us to comprehend the opposition because we live here. Opponents have deemed it a “bridge to nowhere,” but that couldn’t be further from the truth, because … Continued

May 16, 2018