The Political Round-Up
Keahey/Dems claim big win;
Not all hugs & kisses in Dem camp though;
Dow goes green; Lift a glass; Honeycutt/Satterwhite in nip/tuck race;
Justice to visit; USA gets hurricane money
By Chip Drago
Mobile Bay Times
Solid battlefield report from Alabama Farmers Federation's John Pudner on yesterday's big battle in the state Senate District 22 special election where Alabama Democrats again held off a hopeful GOP with young Marc Keahey's convincing victory over Greg Albritton:
"Keahey rode huge turnouts in Choctaw (1,171-654, 64%), Clarke (2,505-1,076, 70%) and Washington (precincts still being reported) to victory in the Special Election today. More important than the percentages was the fact that Choctaw and Washington had more than half of the votes cast that were cast in the last general election between Pat Lindsey and John McMillan for this seat. That is a very high number for a special election.
By contract, while Albritton won Baldwin County (720-577, 56%), the turnout there was only 26% of the votes cast in Lindsey-McMillan. Albritton's home county of Escambia (1,832-1,296, 59%) produced the 59% winning percentage Albritton needed, but had 36% of the votes cast in McMillan-Lindsey.
Keahey has an excellent ground game on election day, keeping sign waves and trucks with signs going through key Democratic areas to make sure voters remembered the election was today -- always a battle when special elections are waged in the summer. Keahey's team had staved off many challengers to Pat Lindsey over the years.
In addition to winning the turnout battle, which was key, Keahey had a big breakthrough in Citronelle in Mobile County, where Keahey took a whopping 64% (296-169) in a precinct that Lindsey had actually lost last time with 45%. It may be that Keahey benefited from not having a contested primary in the end, as Citronelle was the home of Albritton's primary opponent Judy Belk, so many Republicans had already voted against him in April, and the totals in Baldwin were off where Albritton had lost a House primary to Harry Shiver in 2006 when he lost his House seat.
The primary had given Albritton the opportunity to close the margin from a 20-point deficit to single digits, but it also gave some Republicans an extra opportunity to vote against Albritton and let Keahey save his resources for the general election. There are still many precincts outstanding, but based on the precincts I have seen and compared to past races, Keahey may end the night with a double digit win.
Albritton called Keahey to concede shortly before 9 p.m. after the trend was apparent."
Alfa backed Albritton. The special election was set after longtime state Sen. Pat Lindsey's death Jan. 11.
Not all rosy with state Democrats
Mobile Democrat Milton Morrow has lodged a complaint with the Alabama Ethics Commission over $8,500 in contributions from the state party that "passed through" the local party's executive committee en route to the Mobile chapter of the New South Coalition to help turn out the vote in November. Several committee members have complained that the transaction occurred without their knowledge. State Chairman Joe Turnham hasn't responded to requests for comment, but reportedly is irritated with the local disgruntled faction because the funds went where he wanted them to go and the state party was satisfied with the results. The incident has frayed the relationship between local Chairman Brad Warren and Vice Chair Janetta Whitt-Mitchell who is also a NSC official. Warren has decried use of the local party apparatus as "a laundromat" for campaign money. Local party Treasurer Betty Gartman resigned in the aftermath of the dispute but has since withdrawn her resignation. Her status remains unclear. Morrow ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic nominee challenging incumbent Mobile County Treasurer Al Sessions. Warren was also a loser in his bid to unseat Republican Mobile County Commissioner Mike Dean.
Details of the complaint were not immediately available. MBT expects to have them by week's end.
Dow downtown
The Downtown Mobile Alliance will host former Mayor Mike Dow Tuesday, June 9 at an 8 a.m. Breakfast Briefing" at 261 Dauphin St. for a presentation on "green living."
Now with Centralite, Dow will discuss the company's role in making buildings, both large and small, more energy efficient through technology. Dow will explain how new systems are helping commercial and residential properties better manage energy usage and costs.
There is no charge for DMA members/$5.00 for non members. A light breakfast will be served. Reservations are suggested. Contact Jo Ann Olivera at jolivera@downtownmobile.org or 251-434-8498.
Lift a glass
The Executive Networking Group and Friends to Elect Yasmin Coker will host a Spring Wine Taste & Fundraiser at TASTE, 2524 Old Shell Road, Saturday, June 6 at 7 p.m. Coker is running for the District 1 seat on the Mobile City Council in municipal elections in August.For more information contact Terence Peasant at 251.454.7428 or ExecNetGroup@aol.com. The requested donation at the event is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. The District 1 incumbent is Councilman Fred Richardson.
Wallace Rally for Change
Ron Wallace's campaign for Mobile City Council, District 3 will host a community rally from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 6 on the in an outside lot on the southside of Ladd Stadium at Virginia St. and Tuttle Ave.
The event will feature free food and music.
For more information, email or call (251) 463-4839 or visit: www.ronaldwallace.blogspot.com - www.wallacedistrict3.com.
Honeycutt/Satterwhite vie in bar runoff
Mobile attorneys Walter Honeycutt and Harry Satterwhite will vie in a runoff election for Bar Commissioner, 13th Judicial District Place 2.
The Alabama Bar Association directed a run-off between the two after initial voting results as follows:
- Thomas Michael Rockwell, 84;
Place 2 represents all attorneys with their principal office in Mobile County. Attorneys in the state's 13th Judicial Circuit are eligible to vote in the race for Place 2.
Lyn Stuart on Eastern Shore
Alabama Supreme Court Justice Lyn Stuart will address the Eastern Shore Republican Women Monday, June 15 at 11:30 a.m. at the Fairhope Yacht Club. Guests and prospective members are welcome. Lunch is $14. For reservations, reply by Friday, June 12 to sbrush2002@aol.com or 251-929-0963.
$525,536 to USA Center for Hurricane Research
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will award $525,539 to the University of South Alabama (USA) Center for Hurricane Intensity and Landfall Research. Researchers at USA will use this funding to improve hurricane landfall prediction and local severe weather forecasts.
