Skip to content

Steve Flowers

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
February 7, 2018

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
January 31, 2018

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
January 24, 2018

“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
January 18, 2018

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
January 10, 2018

Remembering those we lost in 2017

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse At the close of each year, my tradition is to acknowledge the passing away of significant political leaders from the political stage in our beloved state. We lost some icons this year. As I sit in my office writing this year-end column, pictures of two of my favorite friends … Continued
December 27, 2017

An undeniable, political truism

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse Well, folks, we have had a more exciting and fun filled political year than we expected. Usually, most of the fun is reserved for even numbered years when presidential or gubernatorial elections are held. However, it’s been a good ride. Obviously, the Special Election for the remaining three years … Continued
December 20, 2017

A tribute to a great Alabamian

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse Jim Martin passed away recently in Gadsden at 99 years old.  His beloved wife of 70 years, Pat, was by his side.  He was a true Christian gentleman.  Jim was one of the Fathers of the modern Republican Party in the South. In 1962, John Kennedy was President. Camelot … Continued
November 29, 2017

The big question will be answered soon

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse The big question in the Senate race is will allegations against Roy Moore and his purported propensities forty-years ago cause him to lose.  We will soon see.  The election is less than three weeks away. The book on Moore is easy to read.  The polls have consistently revealed that … Continued
November 22, 2017

Baker leads Alabama Community College System into the future

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse In March of this year, the Alabama Community College System took a giant leap forward when it brought on a giant in state government and one of Alabama’s preeminent leaders, Jimmy Baker, to be chancellor. When you have a conversation with Chancellor Baker, he uses words that you do … Continued
November 15, 2017