Shelby Makes Annual Visit
Senator Richard Shelby made his annual town hall visit to Butler County on February 16, 2009. The meeting was well attended, as interest in the Obama Bailout plan was at its peak. Shelby commented that very little of the stimulus package would stimulate the economy, in his opinion. He also suggested that the states refuse the bailout money from the government, a stance that is getting a lot of traction from several Republican Governors throughout the country.
Sessions Visit Well Attended
Senator Jeff Sessions visited Greenville on June 30, and was welcomed by a crowded room of supporters. Close to 100 citizens turned out for the luncheon at the Butler County Republican HQ located next to Bates House of Turkey. Sessions had an opportunity to visit with the crowd and then address the group as a whole while local media filmed for the evening news. Also in attendance were candidates Jay Love, Twinkle Cavenaugh, Luci McLemore, Beth Kellum, and local Board of Education candidate Tanya Speir.
James announces run for Governor
Local businessman and son of former governor, Fob James, has declared himself a candidate for governor in the 2010 election. James has gotten an early start on his yet unnamed opponents. James has assembled an all-star supporting cast: Chip Saltsman, former national chairman of Mike Huckabee's presidential bid is senior political advisor, John Watson, former chief of staff for Georgia governor Sonny Perdue is heading up the campaign, Fred Davis, media consultant for John McCain, Elizabeth Dole and others, Brett Hall former spokesman for Kentucky governor Ernie Fletcher. Also, the statewide campaign chairman is former U.S. Congressman Sonny Callahan, and finance chairman is noted businessman Guice Slawson.
Candidate Forum Great Success!
Almost 100 potential voters turned out for the candidate forum sponsored by the Butler County Republican Executive Committee. Four of the announced candidates for the 2nd Congressional seat answered questions for almost two hours and local Republicans were all impressed by the quality of candidates running for this important office. Candidates who appeared included David Grimes, John Martin, Craig Schmidtke and David Woods; Harri Anne Smith was represented by her husband. Also in the crowd were local candidates Jerry Hartin, Gary Hanks, Glenn King and Tanya Speir. Statewide candidate for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Lucie McLemore was present, as was Faye Andress mother of Twinkle Andress Cavenaugh, running for the Public Service Commission.
Candidate Forum Scheduled
The Butler County Republican Party will sponsor a candidate forum of all six Republican candidates running for the 2nd Congressional District seat being vacated by Representative Terry Everett. The forum will take place on Monday evening, April 21st at 6 p.m. in the meeting room at the Whitney Bank on Commerce Street in Greenville. "We are excited that all 6 announced candidates on the Republican ballot have agreed to attend," said county Republican Chairman, Cleve Poole. A Republican has held the slot since Bill Dickinson was elected in 1964. Terry Everett, elected in 1992, followed Dickinson, and has announced that he will not be seeking re-election.
"We believe that the new congressman or congresswoman will be a Republican, based on the history of this district and the historical voting patterns," Poole said. The 2nd Congressional District includes all or parts of Autauga, Elmore, Montgomery, Lowndes, Butler, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Coffee, Pike, Bullock, Barbour, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston Counties.
The six announced candidates are David Grimes, an insurance salesman and Alabama House member; Jay Love, a former restaurant owner and present Alabama House Member; John W. Martin, a retired Army officer from Dothan; Harri Anne Smith, vice-president of the Slocomb National Bank and present Alabama State Senator; Craig Schmidtke, a Dothan oral surgeon and David Woods, owner of WCOV-Fox Television station.
"This will be a great chance to meet and listen to a great group of Republican candidates," Poole said. "We're very excited that they are all coming to Greenville to give our citizens a chance to hear what they've got to say about the important issues facing our country today.
Butler County Candidates
After the qualifying deadline passed, the following candidates are set for the Butler County elections: In the County Commission races, Jerry Hartin and Gary Hanks are running in District 1. Glenn King is running in District 5. Tanya Speir has qualified for the position of School Board in District 3.
King and Hartin set to run again!
Incumbent Republican Butler County Commissioners filed their qualifying documents with Butler County's Probate Judge on Friday, March 7, indicating their intentions to run for re-election for their districts. Both candidates have drawn Democratic opposition. "We both plan to work hard toward re-election," Commissioner Hartin said when asked about his upcoming campaign. "We both know the folks in our districts and plan to be seeing all our friends and neighbors over the next several months."
King said, "We've made some very good progress over the last four years for Butler County, and we hope to be able to continue with hard work for our fellow Butler County citizens."
Local Republican elected as National Committeeman!
Paul Reynolds, long time Greenville resident and longtime Republican supporter and worker was elected to represent the State of Alabama on the National Republican Committee. At the winter meeting of the State of Alabama Republican Executive Committee, Reynolds was elected over two other opponents to represent the State on the national level. Reynolds has served the Republican Party in various different positions for many years, including Butler County Chairman and District 2 Chairman, and has served on the state Steering Committee for the last several years.
The National Committee serves many purposes, the most important of which is the drafting of the national platform upon which the GOP Presidential candidate will run.
King Changes Parties
Butler County Commissioner Glen King has announced that he has joined the Republican Party. King, who was elected as a Democrat from the southeastern district of Butler County, said, "I believe that the Republican Party philosophy is much more closely in line with my personal philosophy and the beliefs of the district that I serve."
King was in attendance at the recent ceremony where Alabama state Senator Jimmy Holley, longtime Democratic Senator and leader switched to the Republican Party. At that event, Alabama Republican Party Chairman, Mike Hubbard said since the Republican Party began to re-establish itself in Alabama in recent years that 140 Democrats office holders have switched to the Republican party while only one Republican had switched to the Democrat Party. "I'll take 140 to 1 any day!" Hubbard said.
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