2006 was a monster year for Alabama politics. Every 18 years the calendar conspires to put a huge majority of Alabama's elected offices on the ballot at once. 2006 saw elections for Governor, Congress, and Chief Justice to Coroners, Sheriffs, and County Commissioners. In all, there were 733 races on the ballot on November 7.
The successes in Alabama might not be as high profile as in many other states, but they are no less significant as it relates to the party's standing in our state. With no Senate race, House races that never really got close, and a popular incumbent Republican governor the battlefield shifted a little down ballot to key statewide races and important legislative battles.
With an incumbent Republican governor running 20 points ahead in public polling and outraising his opponent by over 4 to 1, Alabama Republicans thought they could sweep out our statewide elected officials and finally take over the Alabama Legislature.
That didn't happen.
When the dust settled on election night, Alabama Democrats were the clear winner.
Democratic nominee Jim Folsom Jr. defeated Gov Bob Riley's protégé, super-lobbyist Luther Strange for Lieutenant Governor.
http://jimfolsomjr.com/
Democratic nominee Judge Sue Bell Cobb made history be defeating Riley appointee Drayton Nabers for Chief Justice, becoming the first female to hold that position in Alabama history.
http://judgesuebellcobb.com
Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks won a landslide re-election, even gaining a greater percentage of the vote than Bob Riley.
http://ronsparkscampaign.com
And Democrats retook control of the Public Service Commission with the re-election of Jan Cook and the election of Susan Parker.
http://parkerforpsc.com
These key statewide wins are just the tip of the iceberg though.
Alabama Republicans spent millions of dollars attacking Democratic legislators, using liberal baiting, race baiting, and gay baiting. Attack robo calls were made by the AL GOP chair into districts attacking Democratic candidates as part of a militant anti-gay agenda simply because they share a party with an openly gay woman who was elected by voters in Birmingham to represent them in the State House.
Yet after all the money and all the attacks, Alabama Republicans barely made a dent.
Democrats maintained their 62-43 majority in the State House, fighting the GOP to a draw.
And in the State Senate, lost two seats but still hold a commanding 23 - 12 majority.
After months of GOP bluster about taking over the Alabama legislature, Republicans ended up right where they started - in the minority.
But I still haven't gotten to the most important part.
Alabama Democrats completely dominated the Republicans in county and local races.
Races like Probate Judge, Sheriff, Circuit Judge and Circuit Clerk, are perhaps the best indictor of an individuals true preference.
Even the AL GOP Executive Director admitted as such,
"Tim Howe, executive director of the Alabama Republican Party, said the probate judgeship "is the office that most clearly" represents politics in each county in Alabama."
Well on that the two parties can agree and using that measure Alabama is one of the bluest states in America.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/...
All 68 of Alabama's Probate Judges were on the 2006 ballot and Democrats won 53!
All 68 of Alabama's Circuit Clerks were on the 2006 ballot and Democrats won 53!
All 67 of Alabama's Sheriffs were on the 2006 ballot and Democrats won 52!
Of the 72 Circuit Judges on the 2006 ballots, Democrats won 48!
Of the 36 District Judges on the 2006 ballot, Democrats won 25!
Even on Alabama County Commissions, Democrats extended our huge advantage gaining two seats in 2006.
http://www.al.com/...
In many of these races, Democrats defeated Republican incumbents or won GOP-held open seats.
The bottom line is that the elected officials closest to the people are overwhelmingly Democrats!!
The credit for these victories go to the candidates, but the Alabama Democratic Party and it's State Partnership Program employees helped build a foundation for Alabama Democratic success in 2006!
Find out more at http://www.aladems.org !!