By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Monday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey formally qualified for the 2018 Republican primary election at the Alabama Republican Party headquarters in Hoover, Alabama.
“This is an exciting day,” Ivey said. “I am a conservative and I want to continue to fight for Alabama families.”
Ivey said that since she has risen to governor, “Unemployment is now at an all-time record low. We are cleaning up Montgomery, and we are restoring conservative values to state government. We will continue to fight for more jobs and higher pay, safer streets, and improved schools for everyone.”
Ivey said that, “Alabama was under a very dark cloud,” when she became governor.
Reporters asked the governor what her legislative priorities were for the 2018 Legislative Session that begins today.
Ivey said that her legislative priority was simply to get the General Fund budget passed.
“Qualifying today, national championship game tonight, state of the union tomorrow. Welcome to Alabama. This is how we roll,” Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan said.
Reporters asked Lathan about the upcoming 2018 Legislative Session.
Lathan predicted, “They [the legislators] are going to get in and out real fast.” On the budget, Lathan said, “They have a really hard job. They are under a lot of pressure.”
Ivey was elected lieutenant governor in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. Ivey was elevated to the office of governor when former Gov. Robert Bentley pleaded guilty to misdemeanor campaign violations and resigned to avoid a pending impeachment.
If elected, Ivey will be the second woman elected as governor by the people of Alabama. Ivey, however, is in a crowded field for the Republican nomination.
State Sen. Bill Hightower, R-Mobile, evangelist Scott Dawson and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle are also running for the Republican Gubernatorial nomination.
The major party primaries are on June 5, 2018.
