The Political Round-Up
Herman Thomas: It ain't over till I say it's over;
Of the Bible, the GOP and Cowboy Bob;
Whither Tyson?; Democratic doings;
How do we look from the outside?
By Chip Drago
Mobile Bay Times
Paraphrasing Yogi Berra or some other confidently quotable philosopher, Herman Thomas's political career ain't over till he says it's over.
The much-maligned ex-judge today is expected to announce his candidacy for state Senate, District 33 in the Democratic primary June 1.
The seat is now held by Vivian Davis Figures, who along with her imprisoned son Akil testified for the prosecution in Thomas's criminal trial last fall on charges stemming from allegations that the then-judge removed young inmates from jail to paddle them in a spare courthouse office for purposes that included his sexual gratification.
Thomas was found not guilty on all counts in the indictment which at one point numbered 103.
Thomas has called a news conference at St. James Major Catholic Church in Prichard to announce his plans.
Various political and public relations professionals agreed that it would be highly unusual to summon the news media to inform the public that you are not going to do something.
In addition to Figures and Thomas, other candidates in the SD33 race may include computer software consultant Victor Crawford, a son of the late civil rights attorney Vernon Crawford, Mobile City Councilman William Carroll and Prichard Baptist minister Walter Bracy.
A former assistant district attorney, Thomas was appointed to a district judgeship about 20 years ago and was later elevated to a circuit judgeship. He surrendered the judgeship rather than face trial by the state Court of the Judiciary on charges that ultimately led to the criminal accusations.
The state Bar Association suspended Thomas's license to practice law pending a resolution of the criminal case against him. His appeal to regain his law license is set for hearing before a five-member bar panel on Feb. 22 in the Mobile County Courthouse. Mobile attorney Billy Bedsole will preside. The bar's General Counsel Tony McLain will prosecute the case. Mobile attorney Robert F. "Cowboy Bob" Clark will defend Thomas.
The Byrne-ing bush and other biblical mysteries
GOP gubernatorial candidate Bradley Byrne only thinks it difficult to compress into an easily understood soundbyte for the Alabama voting masses a nuanced explanation of the Bible's meaning through modern eyes.
Let him explain the possession of a Byrne for Governor yard sign by yellow dog Democrat and colorful criminal defense attorney Robert F. "Cowboy Bob" Clark.
Historically a man of many words, but few good ones for Republicans, Clark nonetheless has gracing his office a yard sign expressing support for the GOP's "conservative reformer" candidate.
Questioned about his current political allegiances, Clark seemed more animated by disgust with Democratic contender Artur Davis and a vagueness about Ron Sparks' involvement as a Democratic candidate as by any genuine enthusiasm for Byrne.
Turns out his affable colleague and partner in defending Herman Thomas, Jeff Deen -- Jeckle to Clark's Heckle -- planted the Byrne sign in Clark's office as a practical joke.
Clark said the only yard sign that will abide in the front yard of his fashionable, well-carpentered midtown digs will support Herman Thomas for state Senate District 33.
Will DA John Tyson Jr. seek re-election?
Veteran Mobile County District Attorney John M. Tyson Jr., who for months has maintained that he would run for a third full term in the office he has held since 1994, said Tuesday he would disclose his political plans and thoughts in greater detail within two weeks.
Tyson would not address reports that he has advised associates of his decision against running for re-election this year.
Pressed, Tyson said, "I've told you all I have to tell you."
Mobile County's only non-judicial Democratic public office-holder representing the entire county, Tyson has held elective office for almost 30 years beginning in 1980 with a 14-year stint on the state School Board.
In recent years, a number of investigations and prosecutions rattled Tyson's political standing. His office took on a number of political figures from former Prichard Mayor Jesse Norwood, to ex-School Board Member David Thomas, erstwhile Sheriff Jack Tillman, ex-Judge Herman Thomas and a probe of Bishop State Community College where state Rep. Yvonne Kennedy long reigned as president until the scandal drove her from campus. Kennedy herself was never accused of wrongdoing and she continues to serve in the state Legislature. Assistant District Attorney Steve Giardini resigned his post on Tyson's team in April last year after FBI agents specializing in computer sex crimes searched his home in midtown Mobile. No charges have been brought against Giardini whose career in the DA's office was devoted to prosecuting sex crimes against children.
Mobile attorney Mark Erwin, a recent chairman of the Mobile County Republican Party, last fall kicked off his campaign for district attorney. According to reports, he will file a campaign financial disclosure soon showing contributions of about $35,000.
Veteran state prosecutor Ashley Rich, also a longtime local GOP committee member, and Tyson's chief assistant Nicki Patterson are mentioned as potential candidates should Tyson step aside. As long as Tyson was a candidate for office, Rich would not run, she has said in the past. In political and legal circles, RIch is regarded as far more likely than Patterson to enter the race.
Neither Rich nor Patterson immediately returned calls.
In 1994, Gov. Jim Folsom appointed Tyson as Mobile County's district attorney. Tyson was elected to the position in 1998 and 2004.
Tyson was named Alabama's District Attorney of the Year in 2004.
Tyson, 58, ran unsuccessfully for Congress and Attorney General.
Among the achievements Tyson cites in his stint as district attorney are:
- The juvenile crime prevention program, "Make the Right Choice."
- The "Secret Safe Place of Newborns," a first-of-its-kind effort to provide mothers in crisis with a safe, anonymous option for giving up their unwanted newborns for adoption. Tyson made several appearances on national television and radio in conjunction with the program. It was a finalist in the national "Innovations in American Government Awards." The initiative claims the saving of at least 12 babies in Mobile County and hundreds more nationally since the program began.
Democratic doings
The Baldwin County Democratic Executive Committee on Saturday, Jan. 23 from 5-7 p.m. at the Nix Center in Fairhope will host a "meet and greet" featuring several candidates for statewide office including Artur Davis and Ron Sparks, governor; Jeremy Sherer, treasurer; and Glenn Zorn, commissioner of agriculture and industries. It is not required but prospective attendees are encouraged to reply to baldwincountydemocrats@gmail.com. A special invitation was extended to members of the Mobile Area Democratic Association. The Nix Center is located at 1 Bayou Drive in Fairhope.
How do we look from the outside?
Lewis Communications Tuesday night unveiled an international economic development marketing campaign for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce at their 173rd Annual Meeting. The campaign focuses on the success stories of Mobile Bay’s newfound global business partners. The website HowTheySeeMobileBay.com is the primary information source for this campaign. In addition to the website, a video was produced to set the stage for the new Mobile Bay campaign along with a series of print ads highlighting the Global Partners.
