When all of the ink was dried and the paperwork properly filed, Alabama Democrats had their largest slate of qualified candidates for an election cycle in at least eight years.
And perhaps their best slate since Republicans took control in 2010.
Up and down the ballot, the Alabama Democratic Party and its various workers, elected officials and county chairs had in place serious contenders who promise to give new voices to progressive, thoughtful ideas that focus on average workers and the state’s most needy. All told, there were 163 candidates listed as qualified on the ADP website by the end of the day on Friday – the last day for qualifying.
Among the most notable, obviously, were top-of-the-ticket names like Doug Jones for governor, Phillip Ensler for lieutenant governor, Ron Sparks for Agriculture commissioner, and Jeff McLaughlin for attorney general.
But it was about more than just big names at the top.
Up and down the lineup, the Democrats have fielded candidates who are respected and respectable. Yes, it’s important that Dems just have someone on the ballot to make the Republicans work for it at least a little, but it’s even better when those candidates have clear, smart ideas that resonate with constituents.
Take the 5th Congressional District, for example, where there are three solid candidates – Andrew Sneed, Candace Dollar Duvieilh and Jeremy Devito – vying for the nomination to take on Dale Strong. It would actually be nice if a couple of these folks chose another office to run for, because it will be a shame that two of them won’t be out there meeting with voters and campaigning after May.
They are exactly the sort of level-headed, relatable, smart candidates that you would expect to do well in the Huntsville area. Sneed runs a plumbing business and also happens to hold a degree from Boston University. Duvieilh is maybe the smartest person running for office and has spent the last several years going around the Madison County area explaining budgets to voters. Devito is a veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan and chairs a veterans charity.
Not exactly placeholders on the ballot.
Democrats also went after important, visible offices, as well, such as seats on the Alabama Public Service Commission. As energy costs continue to rise and Alabamians’ power bills go through the roof, a whole bunch of people are starting to learn for the first time just how much impact those PSC seats have on their daily lives. And they’re starting to learn just how much it costs them to mindlessly vote straight-ticket Republican.
Likewise, Democrats have quality candidates at every contestable legislative seat in both the House and the Senate.
Nowhere is that more evident than in the Montgomery area, where redrawn Senate Districts 25 and 26 drew in current SD26 Sen. Kirk Hatcher and Montgomery pastor and businessman KK Middleton, who are running for SD25. And challenging the current SD25 senator, Will Barfoot, who is running for SD26, will be Tabitha Isner, who is currently the ADP vice chair.
Isner is perhaps the most visible ADP official, having spent significant time traveling the state over the last few years to work with county parties and candidates on a variety of issues and initiatives. Hatcher has been one of the most well liked lawmakers in Montgomery, and he’s received praise from colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his pragmatic approach. Middleton is well liked and well known around Montgomery, and he should give Hatcher a solid challenge.
In the Birmingham area, there will be at least four House seats that have primary races. That includes closely watched races for HD60, where incumbent Juandalynn Givan has two challengers, and HD52, where first-term representative Kelvin Datcher also has drawn two.
There are also 25 candidates running for either circuit court or district court judge and four candidates running for the Alabama State Board of Education. Those judgeships are absolutely critical, though, since our courts often serve as the backstop to bad legislation and bad actors.
Building from the ground up might also ensure that Democrats don’t have future elections in which just one candidate is challenging for an Alabama Supreme Court seat. Ashleigh Meyer Dunham is a great candidate, and she would be a breath of fresh air on the overly-partisan bench, but she can’t solve the problems of that court alone. Keep in mind, this is the same court that many believe to be so partisan that it will ignore the plain law to keep Tommy Tuberville on the ballot despite his obvious residency issues.
But make no mistake – this is a deep, deep ballot for Democrats. Should the national climate continue on its current path, or anything close to it really, and candidates continue to work together and fundraise adequately, there could be a noticeable shift come November.
At the very least, what this lineup should almost certainly do is put Democrats in front of voters, where they’ll be able to change some minds and move the needle back towards the center for the first time in years.
