The Political Round-Up
Two-week window to qualify for city elections; Dems not giving up on SD 7; Edington's host Artur; Big Luther to visit; MADA in routine meet; Facebook's the thing
By Chip Drago
Mobile Bay Times
A narrow two-week window will open in about 10 days for candidates to run for office in Mobile municipal elections later this summer.
Mayoral prospects and contenders for one of the seven slots on the Mobile City Council can begin qualifying Tuesday, July 7. The deadline to be included on the ballot is July 21. The primary election is set Aug. 25.
All seven city council members are seeking re-election. Most of the city council seats will be contested with challengers already announced and/or campaigning in four districts. Mayor Sam Jones has no announced opposition and recent job "approval numbers" suggest that his political health is excellent.
Perhaps predictably, especially given the announcement earlier this year that Jones was being treated for myeloma, there are plenty of rumors but no announced candidates for mayor other than Jones. Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran scoffed when asked about talk linking him to a mayoral bid. Cochran said he was pleased and satisfied with his present post and hoped voters would reward him with another term next year. Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine, a former city councilman, said he likes representing the county's District 2 and hopes that Jones' health allows him to continue in public service for as long as he wants.
The offices carry four-year terms. The mayor is paid $89,000 annually. Members of the City Council receive $19,800 in annual salary, plus $175 for each regular and special meeting, as well as a flat $325 a month to cover expenses. A council member who attends all meetings would receive about $32,800 a year.
Dems don't expect to get barbecued again
Despite Paul Sanford's big win for the GOP recently in the special election to fill the state Senate District 7 seat in Huntsville, state Democratic leaders expect to reclaim it in 2010, most likely loading up behind one of these three prospects, former state Sen. Jeff Enfinger, former Mayor Steve Hettinger or state Rep. Randy Hinshaw, D-Meridianville.
Edington's host Artur
Local Democratic stalwarts Pat and Bob Edington will host a reception at their home in Daphne from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27 to raise funds for U.S. Rep. Artur Davis's campaign for governor in 2010. The minimum suggested contribution is $500. For more information call 205-322-9096.
Big Luther looms
Luther Strange, a Republican candidate for Alabama Attorney General in 2010, will be the special guest speaker when the Mobile County Republican Executive Committee meets Monday, July 6. The quarterly MCREC meeting at the Westminster Presbyterian Church at the corner of Airport Blvd and Sage Avenue will begin at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Strange defeated George Wallace Jr. in the GOP primary to be the party's nominee for lieutenant governor in 2006 before losing in the general election to Jim Folsom Jr. Strange will challenge incumbent Attorney General Troy King for the party's nod in 2010. Rumors are circulating that a third credible GOP candidate for attorney general may yet emerge.
MADA in routine meet
The Mobile Area Democratic Association will meet Saturday, June 27 at 10 a.m. in the electrical workers union hall on Halls Mill Road south of Pleasant Valley Road. MADA President Vance McCrary said it would be a routine meeting. Democrats from throughout the area are welcome.
Come on in, the water's fine
Adam Jackson is cited as a possible Democratic challenger to GOP incumbent state Rep. Jim Barton in House District 104. Early signs suggest it will not become an ugly, eye-gouging, mud-slinging contest, at least not on Barton's side and probably not on Jackson's side either.
"I met him some time
ago," said Barton. "Nice
guy used to work for
Coke, now works for
Ruby Tuesday. He was a
Republican but now
seems to be a Democrat.
(I'm) Not sure if he is
running or not. We have become Facebook friends."
Local Democratic Party Chairman Brad Warren said he didn't have much information on Jackson, but he "keeps inviting me to be his friend on Facebook."
Carroll kicks off
Mobile District 2 City Councilman William Carroll kicked off his re-election bid last week with a get-together at the Royal Street Cafe that "went extremely well," he said. Carroll, at 39, the youngest member of the city council, has a campaign presence on the web, in Facebook and Twitter, too.
Dining for dollars
Among the few, if not the only Alabamians at the recent Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee/Democratic Congressional Campaign Committe fundraiser with President Barack Obama were Mobile native attorney Rick Kuykendall and his daughter, Amalee (shown here with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi) who will enter the University of Alabama as a freshman this fall.
The event at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington was a major fundraiser for Democratic efforts to stem the traditional backlash against the party in the White House during mid-term elections.
"I need partners in Congress -- leaders who are determined to make a difference for the folks they represent," said Obama. "And right now, more than ever before, we need their help -- America needs their help. We need their help to build schools that meet high standards and close the achievement gap, and prepare our kids for the challenges of the 21st century; where we reward teachers for performance and give them new pathways for advancement. We need their help to reach the goal that I’ve set for higher education in this country, that by the year 2020, America once again will have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.
"We need their help to pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill that will finally reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and offer new energy incentives to reduce the pollution that threatens our health and our climate; a plan that will create millions of new jobs producing wind turbines and solar panels and biofuels. Because we know that the nation that leads the 21st century in clean energy technology, that's the nation that's going to lead in the global economy -- and America can and must be that nation."
Meet & Greet Tim James
Tim James, a GOP candidate for governor in 2010, will stage two "meet and greets" in Mobile County Tuesday, June 30.
The first event will be from 7:30–9 a.m. at the new Holiday Inn and Suites in Saraland near the intersection of I-65 and Industrial Parkway (Hwy 158). A second event will be at the Semmes Community Center, 10141 Moffett Road (Hwy 98), beginning at 1 p.m.
Both events are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend.
For more information contact James campaign's Mobile coordinator Mark Erwin at 432-8120.
Sparks schedules Mobile fundraiser
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, state Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks will hold a major fundraiser here Wednesday, July 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Ashbury Hotel & Suites, I-65 and Airport Blvd. An invitation suggests attendees donate $25-$250 toward Sparks' bid for governor. For more information call 602-1974.
ACRW to host candidate clatch
The Azalea City Republican Women will meet for lunch Tuesday, June 30 at Heron Lakes Country Club
11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Guests and candidates are welcome. All candidates will be encouraged to introduce themselves to the group. For more information call Shirley Short at 344-1394 or Jeanette Greene at 675-4094.
Williams to launch re-election bid
Mobile City Councilman John Williams will kick off his re-election campaign with an Appreciation Cook-Out Thursday, July 2 at 6 p.m. at Mobile Lumber (car museum) just west of Knollwood on Hwy. 90. Williams will deliver some short comments at 7 p.m. The menu calls for Cajun fare. For more information call 753-7899.
City Launches Election Polling Place Finder
With municipal elections scheduled Aug. 25, the City of Mobile has established a web page dedicated to helping citizens find their polling location. All you have to do is go to this site and enter your Street Number (Ex: 205) and Street Address (Ex: Government St.). The name and address of your polling place will appear. From there you will be able to get a detailed map and/or detailed directions to your polling place. Also on the page is a link to the main election site, which has election forms and deadlines regarding running in and voting in this year's election.
Graceful exit?
With the ignominious departure of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford as president of the Republican Governors Association, is Alabama Gov. Bob Riley the frontrunner to succeed Sanford? Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota or Bobby Jindal of Louisiana are probably better bets.
T.E.A. Party Time
An Independence Day T.E.A. Party is set for (drum beat) Saturday, July 4 from 2-6 p.m. at the Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale. There will be speakers, grub, music and contests with prizes. For more info, visit the website.
