Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in Alabama
ALFA vs BCA
While front-runners Katherine Robertson and Jay Mitchell top the ballot, political insiders suggest the real matchup in the attorney general primary is between ALFA’s grassroots might and BCA’s financial muscle. Robertson, Attorney General Steve Marshall’s second in command, recently garnered the endorsement of the Alabama Farmers Federation, long considered one of the most powerful grassroots operations in state politics with a county-based network that delivers votes and volunteers across Alabama’s 67 counties. Mitchell, a former Alabama Supreme Court justice, is backed by the Business Council of Alabama, traditionally the state’s business lobby with deep pockets and corporate influence but often seen as less cohesive or committed than ALFA’s army of members. Once the primary is over, the real story will be which powerhouse gets to flex its political muscle.
Strong and Rogers show up for DeJarlais
Local political contributors came together this week to support what many consider to be Redstone Arsenal’s “extra” congressman. While Redstone has long been championed by our Alabama congressional delegation, it has also been supported by our neighbor to the north, U.S. Rep. Scott DeJarlais. His district covers parts of several counties in south-central Tennessee, including five borderline counties – Marion, Franklin, Lincoln, Giles and Lawrence. DeJarlais (R-Tenn.) serves on the House Armed Services Committee, so he is in a great position to affect Redstone – and he was a consistent supporter during the fight for Space Command. That’s no surprise considering that thousands of his constituents cross the state line every day to work at Redstone Arsenal and Research Park. By all reports, the fundraising breakfast was a huge success and featured Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) and House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Saks), as well as Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), another senior member of the committee.
Kling putting in the miles
Huntsville City Council member Bill Kling exceeded 950 miles over the past year walking through neighborhoods within his district. Kling walks on almost a daily basis, calling in clogged drainage inlets, spools of cable TV wire on the ground, neighborhood park benches that need to be painted, streets that need street sweeping service, potholes that need to be repaired, etc. “All residents deserve to live in the very best kept neighborhood possible,” he said. Merrimack, McThormoor Acres, and Lowe Mill are all inner city neighborhoods that are now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places while the Westlawn and Archer Park neighborhoods have both benefited from enhancements at their respective neighborhood parks. Downtown is seeing unprecedented growth with new entertainment options being added.
Athens and Limestone County in the spotlight
Community leaders in Athens and Limestone County are working to continue to put Limestone County, the fastest growing county in Alabama, in the Limelight. A 36-page full color magazine is set to be released in October, just in time for the Rural Tourism Conference in Athens and publishers expect to share this with people who are relocating to north Alabama with the U.S. Space Command.
New and upcoming
Someone from Limestone County has been selected as a Southern Public Relations Federation Young Practitioner for 2025 — a distinction given to only a few emerging public relations leaders across the Southeast each year. A full announcement coming in October.
