Burton LeFlore, running for Congress in Alabama's 1st Congressional District Special Election Race.
I haven't seen much coverage of Alabama's 1st Congressional District Special Election Race to replace Former Rep. Jo Bonner but then again, the Democratic candidates running in the race aren't getting much or any support from the DCCC or national Democratic Party. Certainly no support like Elizabeth Colbert-Busch did in the special election race to replace Tim Scott for Congress in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.
Incidentally enough, like the AL-01 Congressional District, the SC-01 Congressional District is deep red. Yet Colbert Busch received 45% of the votes.
However, her race also got more national attention because of her name, Stephen Colbert's support and support across the board from Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Also, Colbert-Busch had a powerhouse fundraising machine and even support from Romney '12 supporters who were turned off by Mark Sanford's sketchiness and behavior.
In comparison, the special election in AL-01 is getting considerably low coverage and most of such coverage is locally within the Congressional District's region.
Still, the lack of a significant amount of support outside of AL-01 isn't deterring Democratic candidate Burton LeFlore, son of civil rights leader John LeFlore, who so far seems to be getting the most support and coverage vs. his fellow Democratic candidate, Lula Albert-Kaigler.
Here's LeFlore being in Yellowhammer News:
http://yellowhammernews.com/...
Burton LeFlore, Democratic candidate for Congress in Alabama’s First District, has an uphill battle ahead of him if he hopes to become the first Democrat to hold the seat since LBJ was occupying the Oval Office. Cook Political Report rates the First District “R+15,” meaning a generic Republican candidate would start with a 15-point advantage over a generic Democrat.
But LeFlore said he is determined to become the first Democrat elected to the seat in almost 50 years.
“Forty-seven years of Republicans dominating this congressional district is enough,” said LeFlore. “It’s time for a change, it’s time for something new, it’s time for a Democrat.”
In addition, here's some insight on the issues Burton LeFlore is focusing on in his campaign and hearing from people he interacts with:
http://yellowhammernews.com/...
LeFlore defines his new south alabama values as good paying jobs, economic improvement, educational opportunities for students, and quality housing.
Jobs may be at the top of LeFlore’s agenda, but he says there’s also a need to protect South Alabama’s environment.
“Alabama has a wealth of natural resources like farmland, forestland, lakes, rivers, the Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico,” LeFlore said. “This makes it imperative that we take every step to conserve our environment.”
Here's an section of an interview LeFlore had with the Alabama Political Reporter. It appears education and jobs are a centerpiece of what LeFlore wants to focus on.
In addition, according to the interview, education and jobs are a big thing affecting residents in AL-01 and LeFlore seems to have a strong understanding of this:
http://alreporter.com/...
APR: What do you think is the most important issue right now to the 1st district?
LeFlore: Jobs and education. Our educational system is failing. We need to do the best to give our children the best education we can, access to quality athletic programs within their schools and their communities and we need to do everything we can to try to get industries that want to locate here to hire here in this district, and not just everyone from everywhere else. We don’t want to see a situation where Airbus comes in and, for example, only hires 10% residents from this district. I just want to see a proportionate number of people from our district getting good jobs.
In addition, LeFlore was asked by the Alabama Political Reporter about his position on Syria. LeFlore is strongly against U.S. intervention in the country and makes a compelling case as to there shouldn't be a strike.
He also seems to be making the case for himself as a means of addressing concerns of skeptics, particularly those in Alabama, who believe he'd be nothing more than a blind supporter of President Obama and his agenda:
http://alreporter.com/...
APR: “The US should not intervene in Syria at this time. Congress should send a clear and unequivocal message to Syria, no more chemical warfare.” That is your statement on Syria. Sounds pretty cut and dry. Why do you oppose action in Syria?
LeFlore: Because I think at this point there have been statements made that an attack in Syria could benefit Al-Qaida. Also, I firmly feel that while the president states that this will be a swift type of attack, just in and out, ultimately there might be some other repercussions. I don’t know if our country is ready for that. We also need to further evaluate the situation. I mean there is a civil war in Syria. In order for the US to get involved in a civil war, I just don’t see where that is going to benefit the US at this time. There may be other means we can pursue, besides military action, possible sanctions against Syria, maybe other diplomatic means to achieve the same objective.
APR: Let’s say Congress sends that unequivocal message, and then Syria again uses chemical warfare, what then?
LeFlore: Well, like I have said, I think congress needs to send a clear and unequivocal message to Syria that we are opposed to the use of chemical warfare against innocent citizens.... even if they are Syrian citizens. And if we have continued use or continued evidence that there is chemical warfare going on then at some point the I think perhaps the us would be in the position to go into Syria on a very limited, limited basis.
APR: Do you think holding a position contrary to many in your party undermines your running as a Democrat?
LeFlore: Well, I’m a Democrat, not an Obamacrat. I don’t support everything that the Obama Administration is about, I mean there are some things that I agree with the Obama Administration about, but there are lots of things I’m in opposition to, and I don’t support. As far as Obama’s position on Syria, we’re in a situation where Obama has made clear that he would not condone any chemical warfare. And I think that clearly we have evidence that the Syrian government does have some instruments of chemical warfare and I guess that at this point his statement, in light of evidence of their use of chemical warfare, Obama’s response is that look I’ve already warned you guys that we’re not going to condone this, and now he’s asking congress, come on, you warned them, and I think it’s just a little premature. I do think that we need to present a clear front as far as our position on chemical warfare.
Here's some other coverage LeFlore received through the Alabama Political Reporter that should give insight as to the kind of campaign LeFlore is running:
http://alreporter.com/...
"My definition of NEW SOUTHERN ALABAMA VALUES is good paying jobs; exceptional educational opportunities for our children; adequate quality housing; improving our economy; creating economic opportunities not just in Mobile but in the rural surrounding communities; improving the overall quality of life for all of our citizens. Residents of South Alabama want to enjoying our parks, museums, local entertainment, good food, sporting events, bike trails, jogging paths, tennis courts, swimming pools, hunting camps, golf courses, great fishing holes and the abundance of recreational activities in this region."
"People of Southern Alabama are spoiled because we have a great climate and a great community in which to live. With the proposed major growth in our economy and in our potential job market, we have to be ready for that change and ready to face the challenges that prosperity and economic opportunity will bring," said LeFlore.
"Although economic growth and jobs are coming our way, we have to work to protect our environment and natural resources," LeFlore said.
"Mobilian’s are going to have to get beyond their complacent crab in the bucket attitudes and realize the opportunities and jobs are developing and they are going to continue to materialize, he said. It’s time to wake up and seize the moment and get in where you fit in and not let these opportunities pass you by," said LeFlore.
"It’s time to make sure there are adequate training programs for citizens to obtain the necessary training and preparation to apply for these jobs and be competitive potential employees in the marketplace," according to LeFlore.
Something to note per Ballotpedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
Primary elections will be held on September 24. If no runoffs are required, the general election will take place on November 5. If runoffs are required, they will take place on November 5 and the general election will be pushed back to December 17
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I know Alabama isn't high on the radar for the national Democratic Party as far as Congressional races are concerned but the Alabama Democratic Party sure could use the support and we certainly aren't the DCCC.
Therefore, let's help Burton LeFlore fire up the Democratic base in AL-01.
Burton LeFlore for Congress:
http://lefloreforcongress.net/
Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/...
As for Lula Albert-Kaigler, unfortunately, I cannot find her website, donation page, Facebook page or Twitter page. Once I find them and if I see any additional news on her, I'll post a diary accordingly.