Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in Alabama

Doug Jones draws big Huntsville crowd, but statewide math remains a problem

Battles to Jones: I’m living in your head rent free (he’s not)

Independent candidate for State Senate District 10 Jesse Battles insists he’s living in opponent Andrew Jones’ head “rent free” — the kind of line that sounds cooler in your head than in a Facebook post. The candidate, booted from the GOP primary ballot in February, accuses State Sen. Jones (R-Centre) of using “establishment ties” to get rid of him and he’s vowing to out-hustle the incumbent in Northeast Alabama. Rent-free is a strong claim for a guy still explaining why he’s not on the ballot as a Republican.

Cullman County cow heist 

A local man allegedly walked off with 10 head of cattle from a Guthery Crossroads property. Alabama’s crime blotter remains undefeated. Asking for a friend: how do you even move 10 cows without anyone noticing?

Can Alabama Democrats stop fighting long enough to pick a chair?

Alabama Democrats are picking a new chair Saturday, which is less an election than an intervention. Incumbent Randy Kelley faces a three-way scrap against Bobby Singleton and Robert Hunter after a year of public feuding and Doug Jones says he’s hopeful for a “functioning party” — a phrase that says everything about where things currently stand. Tabitha Isner has spent months accusing Joe Reed of illegal electioneering and an old shakedown attempt. Singleton insists he has “no enemies within the party,” which would be more convincing if the party weren’t actively at war with itself.

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