Mod Mobilian aims to be independent and non-partisan.
When evaluating candidates Mod Mobilian focuses on: integrity, intelligence, and competence.
Its only biases are against: entrenched incumbents, demagogues, special interests, and beneficiaries of nepotism.
Candidates are listed in order of recommendation when one is given. Only those in primary contests are listed.
Links are to Mod Mobilian Candidate Profiles
General comment: It’s tempting to not take Alabama politics seriously – but if you are planning to vote for candidates based on their viral YouTube videos, please don’t. We actually do benefit by having a functional state government, believe it or not. Alabama doesn’t need any more help in becoming the laughing stock of the nation from its politicians. Let’s nip this in the bud by voting against the “viral video candidates” before it gets worse next season. As our high-school coach said – “That’s not the kind of attention you want.”
Governor – Democrat
1. Artur Davis
2. Ron Sparks
Doc’s Take: Although Davis may have disappointed his base, he is much more capable than Sparks who is backed by the AEA and gambling interests.
Governor – Republican
1. Robert Bentley
2. Bradley Byrne
3. Bill Johnson
4. James Potts
5. Roy Moore
6. Tim James
Doc’s Take: Dr. Bentley is the most mature and intelligent candidate and has stayed out of the nonsense. Byrne did a good job cleaning up the two-year college system, but has a reputation for being stand-offish and we are concerned his administration would be elitist as well. Tim James is a disaster – demagogue, nepotist, good-old-boy – everything that is bad about Alabama politics (see Curran here).
Lieutenant Governor – Republican
Kay Ivey
Hank Erwin
Gene Ponder
Attorney General – Republican
Luther Strange
Troy King
Doc’s take: No comment.
State Treasurer – Democrat
1. Jeremy Sherer
2. Charley Grimsley
State Treasurer – Republican
1. Young Boozer
2. George Wallace Jr.
Doc’s Take: Young Boozer is an highly qualified Stanford (that’s CA) and Wharton graduate with a humble demeanor. Wallace’s last name is Wallace.
Supreme Court Place 2 – Republican
1. Mike Bolin
2. Tracey Cary
Doc’s Take: See here (flashpoint) for a description of Cary’s questionable campaign finance doings.
Supreme Court Place 3 – Republican
James Houts
Eric Johnston
Tom Parker
Public Service Commission Place 2 – Republican
Terry Dunn
Chip Brown
Agriculture Commissioner – Republican
1. John McMillan
2. Dorman Grace
3. Dale Peterson
Doc’s Take: We hope against hope that Peterson’s “funny” viral ad doesn’t actually persuade Alabama voters – local boy McMillian is most qualified.
U.S. Senate
Richard Shelby
Clint Moser
Doc’s Take: We would have loved to have had a decent challenge to Shelby – who was so cocky he said he didn’t even know who his opponent was – but we couldn’t even get the Moser campaign to answer a few questions. Too busy we guess. Maybe in 2016.
U.S. House District 1 – Republican
Peter Gounares
Jo Bonner
Doc’s Take: See here for detailed discussion.
Mobile District Attorney
1. Ashley Rich
2. Mark Erwin
Doc’s Take: See here and here and Curran here
Baldwin County District Attorney
Judy Newcomb
Hollie Dixon
David Green
Baldwin County Sheriff
1. Huey Hoss Mack
2. Orlando Bethel
Doc’s Take: See here.
Alabama House Races:
104 (Mobile): Nathan Davis over Jim Barton
94 (Fairhope): Dale Brown over Joe Faust
98 (Saraland): Napoleon Bracy over James Gordon
99 (Mobile): Henry Haseeb over James Buskey
Doc’s Take: We admit that the principal factor was the sneaky, underhanded way the incumbents voted themselves a huge pay raise the first vote of the session – see here - but other factors reinforce this. Especially disappointed in the Republicans Barton and Faust.
