By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY—First term Republican Senator Bryan Taylor (R-Prattville) announced on Monday that he would not seek reelection in 2014.
Sighting the normal “mumbo jumbo” of family, work and more kids on the way, Taylor says he will exit the political stage at the end of his term.
What Taylor failed to mention is that recent polling predictions in his district showed him being beaten like a rented mule had he decided to seek another term.
He also failed to mention that he may be a material witness in a Special Grand Jury investigation in Lee County that may be tied to wrong doing by Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard.
Recently, the Alabama 2014 PAC, headed by former Gov. Bob Riley, Mike Hubbard and Del Marsh, gave Taylor an $8500 in-kind donation for polling. Insiders say that Taylor’s number were dismal. Members of the troika broke the news to Taylor that they could not stand the embarrassment of one of their hand-picked candidates losing in 2014 and that he needed to bow out gracefully.
Ever the good soldier, Taylor capitulated to his betters’ instructions and announced his intentions not to run.
In 2010, Taylor took $63,700 from PACs controlled by then chairman of the Republican Party Mike Hubbard. He then spent $253,492.33 with Hubbard-owned companies and $182,449.36 with Majority Strategies. Hubbard’s dealing with Majority Strategies is believed to be part of the investigations into Hubbard’s time as chairman of the ALGOP.
But, of all Taylor’s doings in his short term in the State House, his true legacy may be his many attacks on the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Wetumpka and Atmore.
