Cash infusions into campaigns and political action committees participating in the runoff elections on July 17 were required to file the first weekly reports on June 25.

Between June 1 and the reporting dateline of June 25, the Business Council of Alabama’s political arm, Progress PAC, raised less than $20,000.00 from small businesses whose donations were under $500.00 each. It’s not sure if this anemic showing of cash contributions is directly linked to the recent exodus of BCA’s marquee members, but the poor fundraising numbers are evidence that something is amiss.

Progress PAC made $101,500.00 in campaign contributions with Steve Marshall and Twinkle Cavanaugh each receiving $50,000 and $1,500.00 going to Charles “Bull” Cory who lost his race against incumbent Republican Rep. Tim Wadsworth, who was targeted by BCA.

In the battle for the Republican nomination in the Lt. Governor race, PSC President Twinkle Cavanaugh lists $238,180.00 to State Rep. Will Ainsworth’s $24,650. However, in total cash-on-hand, Ainsworth has nearly double Cavanaugh’s money with $429,412.98 to her $221,782.97.

The Republican contest for Attorney General finds former Attorney General Troy King raising $302,120.00 -plus a major contribution of $20,000 from Franklin PAC, while current appointed Attorney General Steve Marshall filed $257,475.00. Marshall has $265,783.63 in the bank to King’s $59,723.78.

Agriculture and Industry Commissioner candidate, Lowndesboro Mayor Rick Pate, brought in $59,600.00 to Republican Senator Gerald Dial’s $9,165.00 during the same period. Pate’s campaign shows $55,953.33 in reserves to Dial’s $77,710.45.

In the top two races, PACs or contributors of note are as follows:

LT GOVERNOR:

Will Ainsworth

Major Contribution – $500,000 from self.
BIZPAC – $2,500.

Twinkle Cavanaugh

PROGRESSPAC – $50,000.
PRIDE PAC II – $5,000.
EDUPAC – $10,000.
Raymond Harbert – $10,000.
ENPAC – $5,000.
MCG PAC – $5,000.
CAREPAC – $15,000.
Realtors – $10,000.
Honorable Tim Parker, Jr. – $10,000.
ENPAC – $10,000.
Medical PAC – $10,000.
And same old “suppliers.”

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Troy King

Major Contribution Franklin PAC – $20,000.
CASH PAC – $25,000.
CMG PAC II – $30,000.
ET PAC – $25,000.
Leadership PAC – $30,000.
Pride PAC II – $70,000.
T-Town PAC II – $70,000.

Steve Marshall

Altria – $5,000.
ALAPAC – $10,000.
COMP PAC – $10,000.
FARM PAC – $15,000.
MCG PAC – $5,000.
Alabama Power – $25,000.
BIZPAC – $10,000.
CAN PAC – $5,000.
EDUPAC – $10,000.
FAIR PAC – $10,000.
FAX PAC – $5,000.
PROGRESS PAC – $50,000.

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Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, led a group of colleagues from Alabama and Florida in sending a letter to urge the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense to halt efforts to house illegal immigrants at two outlying Navy airfields in south Baldwin County, Alabama.

State Auditor Jim Zeigler also sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen.

In a letter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, the Members of Congress outlined why the lack of infrastructure at the airfields and the unique coastal environment make the sites completely unacceptable for housing.

The letter was signed by Representatives Robert Aderholt, R-AL; Mo Brooks R-AL; Matt Gaetz, R-FL; Gary Palmer, R-AL; Martha Roby, R-AL; and Mike Rogers, R-AL.

Congressman Byrne said: “I appreciate my Alabama and Florida colleagues joining me to express our serious concerns about any proposal to house illegal immigrants in Baldwin County. I am hopeful our concerns will be taken seriously and this flawed idea will be taken off the table, just like it was back in 2016.”

The Trump Administration plans to build sprawling tent cities at two little-used Navy properties along the Alabama Gulf Coast. The camps will house undocumented immigrants who have been detained and are awaiting legal action. Many are claiming asylum and are awaiting for the Immigration and Naturalization Service to process their application.

“The area is in or near Alabama’s booming tourist industry and highest revenue-generating area,” Zeigler said. “Tourism and revenues would be adversely affected by these sites. Optional areas are available that are isolated and are not vital to tourism and revenue generation. Security is a continuous problem with a sprawling tent city in a residential area. Escapees can commit crimes in the nearby neighborhoods. Isolated areas are available that would not have this problem.”

“We write to express strong opposition to the consideration of Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s Naval Outlying Field (NOLF) Silverhill in Silverhill, Alabama and NOLF Wolf in Orange Beach, Alabama as detention facilities for illegal immigrants detained from the U.S. southern border as these locations cannot adequately meet the needs of housing and sustaining migrants,” the GOP congressional delegation wrote. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not formally asked the Department of Defense (DOD) for assistance to house migrants, it has come to our attention that DHS is working with DOD to develop a plan to house immigrants in temporary tent structures, including the possibility of using the above-mentioned sites.”

DHS and DOD prepared a similar plan during the Barack H. Obama (D) Administration. The Obama Administration never implemented their plan, which was opposed by then Governor Robert Bentley (R).

“These locations are undeveloped military airfields,” the GOP Congress member continued. “They lack even basic infrastructure, such as running water, housing, or restroom facilities, to provide even rudimentary needs for detained immigrants. Given this lack of infrastructure, individuals would be housed in tents and potentially exposed to disease carrying insects that are prevalent in the coastal environment.”

Zeigler said the plan is “terribly flawed.” “This area is a hurricane zone. A tent city in a hurricane zone is dangerous for the detainees and the staff. It would be difficult and costly to quickly evacuate the detainees when a hurricane heads our way, which happens frequently. This site is totally inappropriate for the intended purpose. The area has high temperatures and humidity. There will be no air conditioning in a tent city. Other geographical areas are available without the heat and humidity. The site selection authority needs to be fired.”

The Alabama GOP congressional delegation wrote, “It is our sincere hope that the Trump Administration will come to the same conclusion that these airfields are not a legitimate option to house illegal immigrants. To be clear, we look forward to working with the Trump Administration to ensure that our nation’s immigration laws are fully enforced and to stem the flow of illegal immigrants at our nation’s southern border. As we work together, we hope you can assure us that the naval airfields in Baldwin County will not be used to house illegal immigrants.”

Zeigler is a resident of nearby Mobile County, Alabama, which along with Baldwin County is on the Alabama coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Byrne lives in Baldwin County.

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A self-inflicted gunshot wound killed the wife of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, according to a report from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, police.

Bridgette Marshall, 45, was found by Murfreesboro PD in her apartment in the city, on Puckett Creek Crossing, a little before 8 a.m. Sunday. The report, which was first reported by al.com, states a female relative phoned police to report that Bridgette Marshall was threatening suicide.

After getting no response at the door, a property manager opened the apartment for police and Marshall was found dead on a couch inside.

The report also lists the apartment in Murfreesboro as Bridgette Marshall’s residence.

Following her death on Sunday, the AG’s office released a statement which stated only that Bridgette Marshall passed away “after a long struggle with mental illness.”

While Bridgette Marshall often seemed to shy away from the spotlight, she had joined her husband at his swearing in ceremony in 2017 and was present at his primary victory party earlier this month.

Support for the Marshall family has poured in from all over the state over the last several days. The family announced earlier on Tuesday that Bridgette Marshall’s funeral service would be held Friday morning in Boaz.

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