45 Days Left...Let The Big Dog Eat

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
thehoustonnewspaper@yahoo.com
334-790-1729
Date: Nov 15 2009 8:21 PM

HOUSTON COUNTY:    In 45 days, qualifying will open for the 2010 elections with the Republican Primary held on June 1.

Up for grabs, most county and state offices in Alabama.

On the local level…Houston County Commission Chairman, all Houston County Commission seats, Sheriff, Coroner.

On the state level…Senators and State Representatives, Judges, Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State.

There will be a republican primary and a democratic primary. Some will run as independent candidates this election season. Even some current office holders might seek election as independents instead of traditional parties.

There seems to be a sentiment going around, people are fed up with party politics. In Washington, people are not happy with the Democrats. In Alabama, the actions of some Republican leadership has caused dismay. In fact, some of the leadership has been in fighting among themselves and causing divisiveness in the party.

It will be a interesting political time.

We still do not have a decision from the Republican’s on Senator Harri Anne Smith. Smith, a long term Republican office holder, did what she felt was best for the district and endorsed Bobby Bright for Congress. This angered some of the die hard Republican leadership. ( You know those who thinks they don’t stink). So we do not know if the Republican party will allow Senator Smith to run as a Republican.

Chairman Mark Culver has sent a letter to the Republican Steering Committee asking them to let Senator Smith run as a Republican.

The decision will be that of 20 people from north of Montgomery. The only local on the committee is Sue Neuwien from Enterprise. Rumors have it she is for all republicans no matter who they are and might not support Smith as a Republican. No one on the committee is from Senate District 29.

Hey Sue...what will be your decision...against that of letting the voters in the senate district decide?

Based on Bright’s campaign disclosure forms, many long term republicans and financial supporters of the republican party are heavy donors to Democrat Bobby Bright.

If the party refuses to allow the voters to decide, this decision could cause some republican  grief.

Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver has held republican office in this county longer than any other person. Culver has split camps with Alabama Governor Bob Riley. While Culver will support republicans, he has openly been critical of the state poster boy for the Republican party.

In Houston County we will have local judges to decide on. Appointed to serve, Circuit Judge Butch Binford and District Judge Lori Collier Ingram. Both of these appointed Judges hit the ground running hard and serving the citizens of Houston and Henry County well. Both will seek their first election, but based on their service so far both have done an excellent job.

Houston and Henry County Circuit Judge Larry Anderson will be seeking re-election. Judge Anderson is a hard working  fair judge and will be hard to unseat.

Yes, 2010 will be interesting in the political arena.

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