Campaign 2022

Three election cycles ago, accepting contributions from the 85,000-member AEA would have been a political problem for Republican State House candidates, especially in a primary. This year, the list of GOP candidates accepting AEA help surpassed the list of those who didn’t.

Gov. Kay Ivey easily won reelection with 66.9% of the vote, securing a full second term. Ivey has said improving education will be her top priority in the next four years.

But Tuesday’s general election, and the May and June primaries and runoffs, didn’t change the political make-up of the heavily Republican chambers. The parties swapped two seats Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s office.

Across the state, there are 16 contests for Alabama Senate and 46 for Alabama House on today’s ballot with a mix of races between Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians, including some three-person contests.

Alabama voters will decide races ranging from U.S. Senate and governor to local offices in Tuesday's election. Voter turnout is expected to be moderate, according to a projection by Secretary of State John Merrill. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Here's a quick look at major statewide races and issues:

Republican Katie Britt is looking to become the first woman elected to the U.S Senate from Alabama as she seeks to capture the seat opened by the retirement of GOP Sen. Richard Shelby. Britt faces Democratic nominee Will Boyd and Libertarian John Sophocleus in Tuesday's race for the rare open Senate seat in Alabama.

Energized Republicans are eager to claw back power in Congress, working to break the Democrats' one-party hold in Washington and putting the future of President Joe Biden's agenda at stake this Election Day.

Alabama does not have early voting and Merrill said usually 96% to 97% of votes are cast in person on election day. In filing absentee applications, voters must swear that they can’t vote at the polls on election day. Allowable reasons include being away for work or higher education, illness and physical disability.

A new Cygnal poll conducted for Alabama Daily News and Gray Television shows all Republican statewide candidates winning a majority of general election voters and with sizable leads over their Democratic opponents.

Secretary of State John Merrill said he expects voter turnout on Nov. 8 to be 45% to 50% of registered voters — about 1.65 to 1.84 million Alabamians.

There are 11 Libertarians running for state Senate and 27 seeking House seats, including in one of the more competitive legislative races between a Republican and Democrat.

“It was a very different world," pollster John Zogby said of 2018. “Inflation's now where we haven't seen in 40 years and it affects everybody. And this is the party in power. With campaigns, you don't get to say, ‘But it could have been' or ’But look at what the other guy did.'”

In this year's elections, Republicans often blame crime on criminal justice reforms adopted after George Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police, including changes to bail laws that critics had long contended disproportionately impacted communities of color, along with accusations that Democrats have not been sufficiently supportive of law enforcement.

There are 25 Alabama House and eight Alabama Senate contests between Republicans and Democrats on the Nov. 8 ballot. Not all of them will be competitive, but September campaign finance reports show real contests for some open seats — and a few situations where incumbents are having to work to try to keep their seats.

Beyond the weight of history, Democrats are saddled with Biden's low favorability ratings as roughly 7 in 10 voters believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. Democratic strategists acknowledge serious political headwinds as inflation and pessimism surge, but they note gas prices have ticked down, pandemic worries have waned and Biden has won major legislative victories on several key issues.

All of those endorsed are Republicans and first-time candidates. Many are running for open seats, but a few have taken on incumbents. Some have contested November elections.

The Alabama Republican Party is expected to vote this month on a resolution to close primary elections. 

The Alabama Republican Party has dismissed a legislative election challenge in House District 2 where a candidate argued that the misappropriation of ballots caused her to miss the runoff.

The three-term incumbent’s decision ends a five-week election saga that began when Hovey, an Auburn City Council member beat Whatley by four votes on election night.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill confirmed to Alabama Daily News Tuesday that Kenney was not a registered voter for the May 24 primary election but became one after registering at her polling place.

According to the Libertarian Party of Alabama’s website, “The Libertarian Party of Alabama is committed to America’s heritage of freedom: Individual liberty and personal responsibility, a free market economy of abundance and prosperity, and a foreign policy of non-intervention, peace, and free trade.”

Jay Hovey, the Auburn city councilman who defeated incumbent State Sen. Tom Whatley by one vote in the May 24 Republican primary election, has formally requested that the Alabama Republican Party reconsider its June 25 decision to declare the race a tie after counting a previously invalidated provisional ballot.

Jay Hovey, an Auburn Council member, beat State Sen. Whatley by one vote in the May 24 Republican primary election. Whatley, a three-term incumbent, challenged that result with the party. Under Alabama election law, it is the parties who ultimately decide which candidates to certify for the general election ballot. 

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says a voter now at the center of the Senate District 27 election saga was not issued an Alabama driver’s license or registered to vote because she did not complete required documentation after moving from another state.

More than 1 million voters across 43 states have switched to the Republican Party over the last year, according to voter registration data analyzed by The Associated Press. The previously unreported number reflects a phenomenon that is playing out in virtually every region of the country — Democratic and Republican states along with cities and small towns — in the period since President Joe Biden replaced former President Donald Trump.

Dr. Julia Booth of the Medical Association of Alabama discussed the prospects of Alabama expanding Medicaid. June 27 is actually the 10th anniversary of the NFIB vs. Sebelius case that upheld the Affordable Care Act, but also allowed states to opt out of Medicaid expansion if they so chose.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill told Alabama Daily News a coin flip is allowable in this situation, if that’s how the party wants to determine the winner. He said  coin flips have settled two elections in recent years. One was a 2018 general election for Clay County sheriff, the second was a 2020 Houston County board of election primary.

A packed reception hall in downtown Montgomery roared Tuesday night with chants of “Katie! Katie!” as Republican Katie Britt thanked the crowd through tears after winning her party's nomination in her journey to the U.S. Senate.

For the first time in 40 years, there won’t be a Sanders in the Alabama Senate next year.  Former Sen. Hank Sanders’ bid to reclaim the seat he held for nine terms, until his daughter won it in 2018, fell short on Tuesday. 

Britt, 40, cast herself as part of a new generation of conservative leaders while disparaging Brooks, 68, as a career politician. If victorious in November, Britt will be the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama and one of its youngest members.

Voters selected the Republican nominee for Alabama's top election official in the runoff Tuesday, and the general election race for governor was set as Democratic voters picked their gubernatorial nominee. Three other statewide nominations plus a U.S. House seat also were on the ballot.

While Brooks and Britt have similar views, their race represents a clash between two wings of the party and different generations. Shelby for decades epitomized the old-guard political style, using his clout and relationships to quietly steer federal projects and funding to his home state. Brooks, 68, is known for his bombastic oratory style. The six-term congressman was a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and has made his opposition to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell a pillar of his campaign, embarking on a "Fire McConnell Tour" of town halls.

The party nominations for five statewide offices including secretary of state on the Republican side and governor on the Democratic ticket are on the ballot in Tuesday's primary runoff election in Alabama. The GOP nomination for a lone congressional seat also will be decided. Here is a look at the races:

Three incumbent Alabama House members are trying to hold onto their seats today while another six runoff contests are for open seats in the House.For the State Senate, there are two high profile runoffs for open seats, one on the Republican side and one for Democrats.

The survey, taken by McLaughlin and Associates on behalf of the Alabama Forestry Association, shows Britt as the choice of 58.4% of likely Republican voters compared to 32.6% for Brooks. Nine percent remain undecided. 

Rep. Andrew Sorrell of Muscle Shoals and pastor Stan Cooke of Kimberly are trying to convince new voters why the State Auditor is a critical role in Alabama government and why they're the best person for the job. 

By MADDISON BOOTH, Alabama Daily News AUBURN, Ala. – The June 21 GOP runoff election for secretary of state presents...

Trump called Britt "an incredible fighter for the people of Alabama." The former president had originally backed U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks in the race, but rescinded that endorsement in March after their relationship soured.

The survey, taken by McLaughlin and Associates on behalf of the Alabama Forestry Association, showed Britt leading with 54.6% to Brooks 36.4% among likely Republican voters. Nine percent said they remain undecided. 

Brooks on Sunday released a statement on Twitter asking "MAGA Nation" to help plead his case for Trump's endorsement, calling himself the "Trump candidate" in the race. Brooks faces Katie Britt in the June 21 runoff that will decide the GOP nomination for the seat being vacating by retiring Sen. Richard Shelby.

Pettus said he was notified by the party Sunday that it was dismissed. Pettus held off challenger Maurice McCaney by 360 votes in the May 24 primary.

Durant said he will not endorse either of the remaining candidates for the GOP nomination for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby. The June 21 runoff pits Katie Britt, Shelby's former chief of staff and former leader of a state business group, against U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, who resurrected his campaign after losing former President Donald Trump's backing.

Alabama Daily News and Gray Television (WBRC, WSFA, WAFF, WALA, WTVY) had planned a forum for candidates Katie Britt and Mo Brooks for June 14. However, that plan fell apart over the last week after discussions with the campaigns.

Candidates who want a recount in three close and controversial legislative races have until noon on Thursday to formally file such a request. After possible recounts, the Alabama Republican Party will ultimately decide who moves forward as its nominees.

"It just goes to show you, every vote counts," Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill told Alabama Daily News.

In House District 28, former lawmaker Mack Butler had 202 more votes than incumbent Rep. Gil Isbell, according to unofficial results. 
In House District 29, Mark Gidley had an 82-vote lead over Jamie Grant, according to unofficial results. The men ran for the seat vacated by Becky Nordgren, who became Etowah County Revenue Commissioner last year.

The GOP primary for State Senate District 27, where challenger Jay Hovey had a four-vote lead over incumbent Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, according to unofficial results Tuesday, will be settled next week. 

The Republican nominations for four statewide races were on the ballot Tuesday, along with a constitutional amendment to fund improvements at state parks and historical sites.

In the 35-seat Senate, five incumbents didn't seek reelection, creating contested races in those districts. And nine incumbents — seven Republicans and two Democrats — had primary challengers.

Nearly two dozen incumbents on both sides of the aisle had primary challengers. Meanwhile, another 21 of the chamber's 105 seats are open this election cycle. Here's an update on some of the high-profile races.

Alabamians on Tuesday approved allowing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to borrow $80 million to improve state parks. 

Gov. Kay Ivey turned back eight primary challengers to win the Republican gubernatorial nomination without a runoff Tuesday earning about 55% of the vote.

Alabama’s Republican primary for U.S. Senate is going to a June runoff between Katie Britt and U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks after neither candidate captured a majority of the vote.

While most of the sound and fury is at the top of the ticket, there are plenty of interesting races...

Trump scrambled the race this spring when he backed away from Brooks who had been seen as an early favorite in the race. Trump had initially endorsed Brooks — who had been a key champion of the false claims that the 2020 election was stolen — but Trump rescinded that endorsement in March, citing Brooks' languishing performance and accused the congressman of going "woke" for saying it was time to move on from the 2020 presidential outcome and focus on upcoming elections.

In the closing hours of the gubernatorial campaign, Ivey stressed her record as she seeks a second full term in office. But her opponents, including former Trump ambassador Lindy Blanchard and businessman Tim James, portrayed Ivey as not adequately conservative, citing her support of a gas tax increase to fund road and bridge construction and her handling of the coronavirus pandemic, including a long-expired mask and business closure mandate.

Both Britt and Brooks have criticized Durant for "dodging debates" after his campaign declined three separate dates offered by the Alabama Republican Party. Durant said he is willing to debate but could not make it fit his schedule.
Outside groups have pumped more than $20 million into the race to either support or oppose one of the frontrunners.

Alabama's Republican primary has become a race to the right, with candidates staking out extreme positions on abortion, immigration and LGBTQ issues. The race was supposed to be a cake walk for Ivey — who still remains favored to win a second full term — but right flank opponents are trying to make it a referendum on conservative credentials as they seek to push the Alabama governor into a runoff.

The survey, conducted by Cygnal this week, showed Katie Britt maintaining her lead at 30.8%, but slipping slightly since the same poll was taken ten days earlier. Mo Brooks gained another six points since the last poll and is now at 28.5%, within the margin of error of Britt. Mike Durant recovered slightly to pick up about three points at 24.3% after his dramatic slide in the last poll.

By TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News  MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A new Alabama Daily News / Gray Television poll shows Gov....

Katie Britt her name on the ballot and began cultivating the list of changes she’d like to see made on Capitol Hill. One of the issues Britt is especially passionate about fighting for is seeing former President Donald Trump’s plan to build the wall along the Mexican border completed. 

Durant said that if elected, at the very top of his to-do list would be to finish the border wall that former President Donald Trump started, to make the country energy independent and to maintain a strong military. He believes that the biggest threat to Alabama right now is inflation because of its impact on the working class, and he has many ideas for solutions to that crisis.

Having worked on so many national policy issues during his time in Congress, Brooks found it difficult to list just three priority issues he would like to address if chosen as Alabama’s next U.S. Senator. Instead, he said broadly that he wants to protect the principles laid out in the Constitution and fight for the triumph of moral values, like the right to life for the unborn, over what he sees as amoral ones.

The May 24 GOP primary ballot has three candidates vying to be the state’s next auditor, a job that will likely include defending the very existence of the office to lawmakers looking to eliminate it to save money.

By MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News U.S. Senate candidate Mike Durant’s campaign on Thursday tried to distance itself from the...

With two weeks left until the May 24 primary elections, a recent Alabama Daily News/ Gray Television poll shows large chunks of voters are still undecided on who they’ll pick for secretary of state, supreme court and state auditor. 

This year’s primary election on May 24 will feature four Republican candidates vying for secretary of state, one of whom will advance to run against Democrat Pamela Lafitte in November.

The first test comes on Tuesday when voters in Ohio choose between the Trump-backed JD Vance for an open U.S. Senate seat and several other contenders who spent months clamoring for the former president's support. In the following weeks, elections in Nebraska, Pennsylvania and North Carolina will also serve as a referendum on Trump's ability to shape the future of the GOP.

WHNT, one of the stations that would have televised the proposed debate, reported that organizers said Durant declined the debate invitation. An organizer, who was not authorized to discuss the conversations with the campaigns, also told The Associated Press that Durant declined all three possible dates.

Below is a roundup of TV ads for the top contenders running for the Senate seat and for Governor. Don’t see your campaign’s ad? Please email me at [email protected] The only rule is you have to be airing the ad on television.

There are five weeks to go and a lot of money to be spent in between now and the May 24 U.S. Senate primary election.

Trump had hinted at an un-endorsement last week after the first poll emerged showing Brooks' slide from frontrunner to distant third.

Coleman, who owns a trucking company, hit the airwaves over the weekend in what his campaign said is a “significant television buy” that included an ad during last night’s Super Bowl.

A new poll commissioned by FarmPAC, the political arm of the Alabama Farmers Federation, shows a tight race among the three candidates running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. 

Two new polls show a competitive race for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, with Katie Britt or Mo Brooks leading, depending on which one you wish to believe. 

Year end campaign finance reports for federal candidates are in and they reveal the state of the fundraising fight for Alabama's highly competitive U.S. Senate race.

It was unclear Tuesday whether that date change was only for congressional candidates or also for state- or county-level races.

Taylor is the owner of a grant-writing business and finished third in the 2020 GOP primary for the 2nd Congressional District, narrowly missing the runoff in that race.

By TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Lindy Blanchard, the former U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia who announced her...

A new poll shows U.S. Senate candidate and current Congressman Mo Brooks with a narrow lead in the four-person GOP field. But in head-to-head competition, Katie Britt had a slight lead over Brooks.

Former U.S. Ambassador Lindy Blanchard officially launched her campaign for governor Tuesday, switching from running for the U.S. Senate to challenging incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey in the Republican primary.

By TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Lynda Blanchard, the former U.S. Ambassador and current candidate for the...

James told Alabama Daily News he plans to formally kickoff his campaign next month, but he’s already visiting parts of the state with some campaign help, including former Alabama GOP Chairman Bill Armistead, and will be in the Shoals Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to Whatley’s most recent campaign finance report, he has $246,933 on hand and this year has raised $355,071 for his campaign.

McCarty, R-Anniston, has represented District 6 since 2015, serving one year as the board's vice president and another as president pro tem.

There about 20 open Alabama House seats ahead of the 2022 election cycle and several incumbents have announced primary challengers. Here’s an update on who is and isn’t running.

Brooks previously ran for Senate in the 2017 special election and came in third in the GOP primary with about 20% of the vote, short of incubment Luther Strange and eventual nominee Roy Moore. This time, he has the endorsement and support of former President Donald Trump.

The 2022 general election may be more than a year away, but the primaries take place next May and party qualifying ends in January. That means now is decision time for many state lawmakers on whether or not to seek another term in office.

The State Auditor's race is shaping up to be one of 2022's most competitive contests. Glover is joining current state Rep. Andrew Sorrell, R-Muscle Shoals, and Kimberly pastor Stan Cooke in the Republican primary.

Democratic State Sen. Priscilla Dunn won't be running for reelection in 2022 and at least one current state representative plans on running for the vacant seat.

By CAROLINE BECK and TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News MONTGOMERY, Ala. – With primary elections less than a year away,...