Report On Candidates For Alabama Offices In 2006

(Updated on December 13, 2006)

INTRODUCTION TO THIS PAGE

As the 2006 GENERAL ELECTIONS approach I am contacting by email as many as possible of the candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and the legislature to ask them this simple “Yes or No” question so that you can see their responses, or lack thereof, and vote accordingly:

“Will you actively support the proposition of bringing Initiative and Referendum [I&R] to the voters of Alabama , both during your campaign, and afterward, if elected?”

HOW YOU CAN ASSIST IN THIS PROJECT

Contact candidates who would represent you and tell them that if they don’t trust you enough to help give you Initiative and Referendum then you can’t give them your vote.

Ask them for their commitment to do that, and then let your friends and acquaintances know what their response was.

Talk about I&R with everyone you know, and encourage them to talk to others, and work to help defeat legislators that won’t work to give us I&R.

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DAN’S REPORT FOLLOWS THIS SECTION OF MY REPORT

TO SEE THE NAMES OF 22 REPRESENTATIVES WHO SEEM TO BE OPPOSED TO INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM AND NEED TO BE DEFEATED IF THEY ARE, SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

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I thank “Let Alabama Vote” for conducting a survey of those Democratic and Republican candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Alabama Legislature who are in contested races for office in the November general elections, and for placing this ad in The Birmingham News in the interest of informing voters of how those candidates stand on the issue of Initiative and Referendum for Alabamians. You may wish to contact Judge Jerry Stokes whose address appears at the bottom of the ad, and thank him, also.

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The following is what I have to report on the 2006 candidates as of now.

RESULTS OF MY QUESTION TO THE CANDIDATES

Responses received will be posted as time permits.

Negative responses will be entered in RED, and positive responses will be in GREEN.

Preparing for the November general elections, the question was emailed to the candidates listed below who have not previously responded on the dates indicated. Responses will be reported later as they are received.

The report compiled before beginning this section for the general elections follows below this and Dan’s section so that it can be referred to. Candidates who submitted responses during that time will not be contacted again for this section.

On August 7, 2006

To these candidates for Governor:

Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley

Governor Bob Riley

To these candidates for Senate:

Senate Dist. 1	Bobby E. Denton (D)*
Senate Dist. 2	Jim Burden (R)
Senate Dist. 4	Harold Sachs (R)
Senate Dist. 7	Parker Griffith (D)
Senate Dist. 9	William "Billy Bob" Ingram (R)
Senate Dist. 11	Jim Hethcox (R)
Senate Dist. 12	Del Marsh (R)*
Senate Dist. 13	Kim S. Benefield (D)
Senate Dist. 13	Jim Ingram (R)
Senate Dist. 14	Hank Erwin (R)*
Senate Dist. 16	Russ Parker (D)
Senate Dist. 17	Scott Beason (R)
Senate Dist. 18	Stanley Nance (R) He replied on August 0, saying in part, “Yes, I would vote for the Voters' Initiative. No, I won't campaign for it.”
Senate Dist. 20	Mel C. Glenn (R) He replied on Aug 10 saying, “Yes ! I support 100%”
Senate Dist. 21	Joe Nathan Saxton (R)
Senate Dist. 23	Bob Duke (R)
Senate Dist. 33	Jeffery Jones (R) On September 10 he replied saying in part, “I would like to thank you for allowing me the respect and courtesy of responding to your issues. at this time I have not responded to your concerns and I plan to soon.” I replied to him the same day saying in part, “If you feel you can give an affirmative answer, I believe that it would be to your advantage to include Initiative and Referendum as one of your campaign planks, thus helping to set you apart from your opponent who has failed to respond to the question when asked by others who are helping me with contacting candidates, as well as making it an issue for the public to become aware of and investigate.” I have received no further response.

On August 9, 2006

To this candidate for Lieutenant Governor:

Luther Strange (R) On September 8 I received this response from a spokeslady for Luther Strange, candidate for Lieutenant Governor: “I wanted to respond to your question and let you know that Mr. Strange does support the referendum/initiative bill. Elizabeth Perry, Alabamians for Luther Strange”

I replied to her on the same date saying, ”I can post the fact that you replied for the candidate on my website, but I believe it would carry far more weight with the electorate if the candidate replied for himself to show that he is not above being in touch with voters. Please advise me if you prefer the former, or the latter.” and I have not received any further response.

To these candidates for House of Representatives:

House Dist. 1	Tammy Irons (D)* On August 9 I received the following from the Campaign Committee of Tammy Irons, candidate for House District 1: “Thank you for contacting the Tammy Irons for State Representative Committee. We will attempt to respond within 24 hours.” I have received no further response.
House Dist. 5	Ronnie Coffman (R) He replied on 12 August, saying, “When elected I will support Mike Ball's I & R Bill and look forward to seeing its passage.”
House Dist. 9	Scott Stone (R)
House Dist. 11	Jeremy Oden (R)*
House Dist. 15	Pat Moore (R)
House Dist. 17	Billy Dixon (R)
House Dist. 20	Howard Sanderford (R)*
House Dist. 29	Cody Robinson (R) He replied on August 9 saying, ” My entire campaign is based on ending the special interest control in Montgomery and returning state government to the people. I can think of no better way of accomplishing this goal than through initiative and referendum.”
House Dist. 33	Clara Curtis (D) She replied on August 12, saying, “The answer to your question.........Is yes I agree with you.”
House Dist. 34	Jeremy P. Sherer He replied on August 14, saying, “I would Dist strongly support Initiatives and Referendums.”
House Dist. 36	Randy Wood (R)*
House Dist. 37	Pete Ward (R)
House Dist. 40	Tom Shelton (R)
House Dist. 42	Allen Caton (R)
House Dist. 44	Jonathan Barbee (D)
House Dist. 45	Owen Drake (R)
House Dist. 46	Paul DeMarco (R)*
House Dist. 47	Jack Williams (R)*
House Dist. 49	Cam Ward (R)*
House Dist. 58	Richard Rutledge (R) He replied on August 9, saying in part, “I do support I&R.”
House Dist. 63	Robert Bentley (R)*
House Dist. 79	Carolyn Ellis (D) She replied on August 15 saying in part, "I would fully support Initiative and Referendum legislation."
House Dist. 88	Mac Gipson (R)* He replied on August 15 saying. "I will support Rep. Ball's bill on I&R when introduced in the new quadrennial session of the Legislature in March 07."
House Dist. 88	Benjamin Abernathy (D) He replied on August 9, saying in part, “It seems my Goals run parallel to I.&R.'s Passage.” On September 5 I received another response from him saying in part, “The more and more I think of it, the more and more I support I. & R. I have just placed Initiatives and Referendums on my Campaign Material.”
House Dist. 91	Ricky Snellgrove (R)
House Dist. 95	Frank Camp (D)
House Dist. 101	Jamie Ison (R)*
House Dist. 104	Jim Barton (R)*
House Dist. 105	Spencer Collier (R)*

On 12 August, 2006

To this candidate for the House of Representatives:

House Dist. 48 Greg Canfield (R) and he replied on October 16, saying in part, “I am not prepared to offer a position at this time. I believe in our nation's republic form of democracy and support the right of constituents to be represented by those that they elect. I will continue to study the specifics of the I&R issue, including examining its strengths and weaknesses in those states where it has been adopted, prior to taking a position.”

On September 25, 2006

To this candidate for Lieutenant Governor:

Jim Folsom, Jr.

On 10 October, 2006

To this candidate for the House of Representatives:

House District 2, Mary Pettus (R)

On this date Kathy, who writes about politics and social issues on Birmingham Blues @ http://www.queervoice.net/kmcmullen/ attended a political forum at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center and reported that both candidates for Senate District 16, Jabo Waggoner (R) and Russ Parker (D) made a verbal commitment to support I&R legislation.

On 24 October, 2006

To this candidate for Lieutenant Governor: Jim Folsom, Jr. (this second submission was sent through his campaign website)

To these Republican candidates for the Senate:

Senate District 27 Peggy Martin @ pegmartin72003@yahoo.com

Senate District 30 Joan Reynolds (submitted through her campaign website)

To these Republican candidates for the House of Representatives:

House District 6 John “Tony” Stiles @ john.stiles@electjohnstiles.org

House District 12 Rhonda D. Bruner @ tigr_law@bellsouth.net. She replied on October 27 saying in part,

“I will look over the bill this weekend and will submit an answer to your question, hopefully, before Monday."

House District 25 Mac McCutcheon @ macmccutcheon@knology.net

House District 32 Ben Little @ blittle32@bellsouth.net

House District 50 Jim McClendon @ jimmcc@alltel.net

House District 51 Allen Treadway @ bsketa@aol.com

House District 85 Harold Raley @ craley@graceba.net

House District 102 Chad Fincher through his website @ www.chadfincher.com

To these Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives:

House District 11 Jim Boyd (submitted through his campaign website @ Jmboydcampaign)

House District 54 Patricia Todd who replied the same day saying, “I fully support the I&R for Alabama".

House District 61 Alan Harper to alan@alanharper.net but Mail Administrator reported that my email was

undeliverable at that time. A second attempt to contact him was made on November 4, 2006 with the same

results.

House District 64 Elliot D. Weaver (submitted through his campaign website)

House District 101 Amy Beckerle Smith to the email address electsmithlol@yahoo.com which was listed on the Alabama Democratic Party website. My email wasn’t delivered because MAILER-DAEMON@yahoo.com reported there is no such address.

On November 4, 2006

To this Republican candidate for the Alabama Senate:

Senate District 8 Don Stout @ dstoutfp@bellsouth.net. He replied the same day saying, “Don Stout, republican

candidate for state senate District 8, strongly supports I. & A.”

On December 12, 2006

To this Republican candidate in the special election for House District 22:

John Warren, who replied the same day saying in part, "I have been a strong supporter of the initiative, referendum and recall since I was a young student at Auburn University majoring in Political Science. I'll vote with my friend Mike Ball and others to pass his bill into law."

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I sent an email to over 90 Alabamians whom I believed would want to have I&R asking for their assistance by doing what Dan, who has a report section following mine, is doing in a smaller way by at least contacting the candidates who wish to represent them and asking their acquaintances in the state to do likewise. I received two enquiries as a result of that plea, and one indidual, Tyrone, sent me a copy of the email he sent to Senator Wendell Mitchell for senate district 30 on July 29 who responded on August 12 saying in part, “I will support initiative and referendum, both in the campaign and afterwards when re-elected.” If many others would do likewise it would be a great help to me personally, and to the effort to obtain I&R. Only pressure from thousands of voters will cause the legislature to pass I&R legislation for us to vote up or down.

Joan Reynolds for senate district 30 replied to Harold, another person assisting in contacting candidates, on August 16 saying. “I do support Initiative and Referendum.” Harold also contacted Representative Steve McMillan, house district 95, who replied on August 24 saying in part, "The answer to your questions is YES."

Dan, as a guest blogger on Politics in Alabama, in “Goat Hill”, reported that Senator Ted Little had responded to him via USPS saying that the Senator is a supporter of I&R.

THIS ENDS MY SECTION OF THE GENERAL ELECTION REPORT ON THE CANDIDATES

(TO BE UPDATED AS OTHER RESPONSES ARE RECEIVED)

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Dan’s Section of the Report on the Candidates for Office In the 2006 Alabama General Elections in November

Since I’m just one person who is doing this work on my own time I’m thankful for help from those willing to help contact candidates for office and apply pressure on them to work toward making Alabama the 25^th Initiative and Referendum (I&R) state.

An Alabama blogger, Dan, who has a political blog “Between the Links” (http://www.betweenthelinks.com/) is to be especially commended for the work he’s doing voluntarily. He’s attempting to contact EVERY candidate for governor, lieutenant governor, and the legislature whose position was not already known, to ask them if they are for or against giving the voters of Alabama a real voice in the government they own through I&R.

Dan asked the candidates the same question I have: "Will you actively support the proposition of bringing Initiative and Referendum to the voters of Alabama , both in your campaign and afterward?"

These are the results as posted on his blog @ http://www.betweenthelinks.com/iandr on October 16, 2006

Color Legend:
Green - The candidate is a supporter of I&R
Blue - The candidate’s position is ambiguous or he/she has refused to respond
Red - The candidate is an opponent of I&R
Black - The candidate has not yet been asked

Executive Officers

Governor
Lucy Baxley (D) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.
Loretta Nall (L) - Supporter. Often publicly supports I&R
Bob Riley (R)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

Lieutenant Governor
Jim Folsom (D) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.
Luther Strange (R) - Supporter. Campaign said Big Luther is a supporter

Alabama Senate

District 1: Colbert, Lauderdale
Bobby E. Denton (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.
Buddy Brook(R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 2: Limestone, Madison
Tom Butler (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.
Jim Burden (R) - Supporter. A reader informs us he supports I&R.

District 3: Limestone, Madison , Morgan
Bobby Day (D) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Arthur Orr (R) - Supporter. Replied to Dr. IQ that he strongly supports I&R

District 4: Cullman, Lawrence, Winston
Zeb Little (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Harold Sachs (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 5: Jefferson, Tuscaloosa , Walker , Winston
Charles Bishop (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Larry Cagle (D) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 6: Colbert, Fayette, Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Winston
Roger Bedford (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 7: Madison
Parker Griffith (D) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.
Cheryl Baswell-Guthrie (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 8: DeKalb, Jackson, Madison
Lowell Barron (D)*- Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Don Stout (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 9: Blount, Madison, Marshall
Hinton Mitchem (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
William Ingram (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 10: Cherokee, Etowah
Larry Means (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 11: Calhoun, Coosa, Elmore, Talladega
Jim Preuitt (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Jim Hethcox (R) - Supporter. Replied with a thorough affirmative

District 12: Calhoun, St. Clair
Del Marsh (R)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 13: Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne , Lee, Randolph
Kim S. Benefield (D) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.
Jim Ingram (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 14: Bibb, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby
Hank Erwin (R)* - Ambiguous. Replied only that he likes the idea.

District 15: Jefferson, Shelby
Steve French (R)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 16: Jefferson, Shelby
Jabo Waggoner (R)* - Supporter. Told constituent that he supports I&R.
Russ Parker (D) - Supporter. Replied to me that he will support I&R

District 17: Blount, Jefferson, St. Clair
Scott Beason (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 18: Jefferson
Rodger Smitherman (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Stanley Nance (R) - Supporter. Said he would vote for I&R

District 19: Jefferson
Edward “E.B.” McClain (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 20: Jefferson
Linda Coleman (D) - Opponent. Voted against I&R in the House in 2006.
Mel C. Glenn (R) - Supporter. Replied to me that he is 100% in favor of I&R

District 21: Hale, Pickens, Tuscaloosa
Phil Poole (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Joe Nathan Saxton (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 22: Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile , Monroe , Washington
W.H. “Pat” Lindsey (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
John McMillan (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 23: Autauga, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Lowndes, Marengo, Monroe, Perry, Wilcox
Hank Sanders (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Bob Duke (R) - Supporter. Replied to me that he wholly supports I&R.

District 24: Bibb, Choctaw, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter, Tuscaloosa
Bobby Singleton (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 25: Elmore, Montgomery
Larry Dixon (R)* - Supporter. Replied to Dr. IQ that he strongly supports I&R
Mike Chappell (D) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 26: Montgomery
Quinton T. Ross, Jr. (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 27: Lee, Russell, Tallapoosa
Ted Little (D)* - Supporter. Said by mail he is in total support
Peggy Martin (R) - Supporter. Responded in the affirmative by mail

District 28: Barbour, Bullock, Henry, Lee, Macon, Russell
Myron Penn (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 29: Dale, Geneva , Houston
Hari Anne Smith (R)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Ronnie Helms (D) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 30: Autauga, Butler , Crenshaw, Elmore, Lowndes, Pike
W. Mitchell (D)* - Supporter. Told constituent Tyrone he is a supporter
Joan Reynolds (R) - Supporter. Told constituent Harold she is a supporter

District 31: Coffee, Covington , Dale, Houston
Jimmy W. Holley (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Dwight Adams (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 32: Baldwin
Bradley Byrne (R)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 33: Mobile
Vivian Davis Figures (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Jeffery Jones (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 34: Mobile
Chris Pringle (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

District 35: Mobile
Gary Tanner (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question.
Ben Brooks (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question.

Alabama House

District 1: Lauderdale
Tammy Irons (D)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.
William E. Smith Jr. (R) - Position unknown

District 2: Lauderdale
Mike Curtis (D) - Position unknown
Mary Pettus (R) - Position unknown

District 3: Colbert
Marcel Black (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 4: Limestone, Morgan
Mickey Hammon (R)* - Position unknown
Steve White (D) - Position unknown

District 5: Limestone
Henry White (D) - Position unknown
Ronnie Coffman (R) - Supporter. Says he looks forward to passing I&R

District 6: Madison
Sue Schmitz (D)* - Position unknown
John Stiles (R) - Position unknown

District 7: Lawrence, Winston
Jody Letson (D)* - Position unknown
Michael Robinson (R) - Position unknown

District 8: Morgan
Bill Dukes (D)* - Position unknown

District 9: Cullman, Morgan
Ronald Grantland (D)* - Position unknown
Scott Stone (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 10: Madison
Mike Ball (R)* - Supporter. Sponsors and champions I&R legislation

District 11: Blount, Cullman, Morgan
Jeremy Oden (R)* - Supporter. Has introduced I&R legislation in the past.
Jim Boyd (D) - Position unknown

District 12: Cullman
Neal Morrison (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006
Rhonda D. Bruner (R) - Position unknown

District 13: Walker
Tommy Sherer (D)* - Position unknown
James Brooks (R) - Position unknown

District 14: Tuscaloosa , Walker, Winston
Ken Guin (D)* - Position unknown

District 15: Jefferson, Shelby
Pat Moore (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 16: Fayette, Lamar, Pickens
William Thigpen (D)* - Position unknown

District 17: Marion , Winston
Mike Millican (D)* - Position unknown
Billy Dixon (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 18: Colbert, Franklin
Johnny Mack Morrow (D)* - Position unknown

District 19: Madison
Laura Hall (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 20: Madison
Howard Sanderford (R)* - Supporter. Says he would support I&R in present form

District 21: Madison
Randy Hinshaw (D)* - Supporter. Co-sponsored I&R legislation in the past
Al Wiggins (R) - Position unknown

District 22: Jackson, Madison
Albert Hall (D)* - Position unknown

District 23: Jackson
John Robinson (D)* - Position unknown

District 24: DeKalb
Todd Greeson (R)* - Position unknown

District 25: Limestone, Madison
Mac McCutcheon (R) - Position unknown

District 26: DeKalb, Marshall
Frank McDaniel (D)* - Position unknown
Jeff Stone (R) - Position unknown

District 27: Marshall
Jeffrey McLaughlin (D)* - Supporter. Says he has and will support I&R

District 28: Etowah
Craig Ford (D)* - Position unknown
Christopher Word (R) - Position unknown

District 29: DeKalb, Etowah
Jack Page (D)* - Position unknown
Cody Robinson (R) - Supporter. Replied that he supports I&R

District 30: Etowah, St. Clair
Blaine Galliher (R)* - Supporter. A long-time supporter of I&R

District 31: Coosa , Elmore
Barry Mask (R)* - Supporter. Told Dr. IQ he is a long-time supporter of I&R

District 32: Cullman, Talladega
Barbara Bigsby Boyd (D)* - Position unknown
Ben Little (R) - Position unknown

District 33: Coosa, Talladega
Ronald Johnson (R)* - Position unknown
Clara Curtis (D) - Supporter. Replied to Don that she supports.

District 34: Blount, Jefferson
Elwyn Thomas (R)* - Position unknown
Jeremy Sherer (D) - Position unknown

District 35: Calhoun, Talledega
Steve Hurst (D)* - Position unknown
Lonnie Robinson (R) - Position unknown

District 36: Blount, Jefferson
Randy Wood (R)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 37: Chambers, Clay, Randolph
Richard Laird (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006
Pete Ward (R) - Supporter. Told Dr. IQ he will support I&R passage

District 38: Chambers, Lee
DuWayne Bridges (R)* - Position unknown
Mark Carlton (D) - Position unknown

District 39: Cherokee, Cleburne , DeKalb
Richard Lindsey (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 40: Calhoun
Lea Fite (D)* - Position unknown
Tom Shelton (R) - Ambiguous. Is supportive but not enthusiastic

District 41: Shelby
Mike Hill (R)* - Supporter. Has co-sponsored I&R legislation

District 42: Chilton, Shelby
Jimmy Martin (D)* - Position unknown
Allen Caton (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 43: Jefferson
Mary Sue McClurkin (R)* - Position unknown

District 44: Jefferson
Arthur Payne (R)* - Position unknown
Jonathan Barbee (D) - Supporter. Said in email that he is for it

District 45: Jefferson, St. Clair
Owen Drake (R) - Supporter. Researched bill and said he could support I&R
Pat Sewell (D) - Position unknown

District 46: Jefferson, Shelby
Paul DeMarco (R)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 47:
Jack Williams (R)* - Opponent. Confirmed he remains opposed to I&R

District 48: Jefferson, Shelby
Greg Canfield (R) - Position unknown

District 49: Bibb, Shelby Jefferson, Shelby
Cam Ward (R)* - Supporter. Replied to me that he strongly supports I&R

District 50: Shelby, St. Clair
Jim McClendon (R)* - Position unknown

District 51: Jefferson
Allen Treadway (R) - Position unknown

District 52: Jefferson
John W. Rogers (D)* - Position unknown

District 53: Jefferson
Demetrius Newton (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 54: Jefferson
Patricia Todd (D) - Supporter. Says she has always been a supporter

District 55: Jefferson
Roderick “Rod” Scott (D) - Position unknown

District 56: Jefferson
Priscilla Dunn (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 57: Jefferson
Merika Coleman (D)* - Position unknown

District 58: Jefferson
Oliver Robinson (D)* - Position unknown
Richard Rutledge (R) - Supporter. Replied he believes I&R is essential to AL

District 59: Jefferson
Mary Moore (D)* - Position unknown

District 60: Jefferson
Earl F. Hilliard Jr. (D) - Position unknown

District 61: Pickens, Tuscaloosa
Alan Harper (D) - Position unknown
Frank Chandler (R) - Position unknown

District 62: Tuscaloosa
Gerald Allen (R)* - Position unknown

District 63: Tuscaloosa
Robert Bentley (R)* - Opponent. Spoke out against I&R on the floor in 2006

District 64: Baldwin, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe
Harry Shiver (R) - Position unknown
Elliot Weaver (D) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 65:
Nick Williams (R)* - Position unknown
George M. “Marc” Keahey (D) - Position unknown

District 66: Baldwin, Escambia
Frank “Skippy” White (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006
Alan Baker (R) - Position unknown

District 67: Dallas
Yusaf Salaam (D)* - Position unknown

District 68: Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Marengo, Monroe
Thomas E. Jackson (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 69: Autauga, Dallas, Lowndes, Wilcox
James L. Thomas (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 70: Tuscaloosa
Bryant Melton (D)* - Position unknown

District 71: Greene, Marengo, Sumter, Tuscaloosa
Artis “A.J.” McCampbell (D) - Position unknown

District 72:
Ralph Howard (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 73:
David Grimes (R)* - Supporter. Has Co-sponsored I&R legislation
Larry Grewelle (D) - Supporter I&R is a key campaign platform

District 74: Montgomery
Jay Love (R)* - Supporter Replied to Dr. IQ that he supports I&R

District 75: Elmore, Montgomery
Greg Wren (R) - Supporter Replied to Dr. IQ that he supports I&R

District 76: Montgomery
Thad McClammy (D)* - Position unknown

District 77: Montgomery
John Knight, Jr. (D)* - Position unknown

District 78: Montgomery
Alvin Holmes (D)* - Position unknown

District 79: Lee
Mike Hubbard (R)* - Position unknown
Carolyn Ellis (D) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.
Dick Clark (L) - Supporter. Says he is a firm, dedicated believer in I&R

District 80: Lee, Russell
Lesley Vance (D)* - Position unknown
Cindy Dunn Irvin (R) - Position unknown

District 81: Lee, Tallapoosa
Betty Carol Graham (D)* - Position unknown

District 82: Bullock, Lee, Macon
Pebblin Warren (D)* - Position unknown

District 83:
George Bandy (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 84:
Billy Beasley (D)* - Position unknown

District 85:
Locy “Sonny” Baker (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006
Harold Raley (R) - Supporter Researched material I sent him and said yes

District 86:
Joe Carothers (D)* - Position unknown
Benjamin Lewis (R) - Position unknown

District 87:
Warren Beck (R)* - Position unknown

District 88:
Mac Gipson (R)* - Ambiguous. Says he is a supporter
Benjamin Abernathy (D) - Supporter. Says he would support the legislation

District 89:
Alan Boothe (D)* - Position unknown

District 90:
Charles Newton (D)* - Position unknown

District 91:
Terry Spicer (D)* - Position unknown
Ricky Snellgrove (R) - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 92:
Seth Hammett (D)* - Position unknown
William E. Blocker (R) - Position unknown

District 93:
Steve Clouse (R)* - Position unknown
John Williams (D) - Position unknown

District 94:
Joe Faust (R)* - Position unknown
Gene Ponder (D) -Supporter. Initiated contact to say he was a supporter.

District 95:
Steve McMillan (R)* - Supporter. Told constituent Harold he is a supporter
Frank Camp (D) - Supporter. Replied that he is in favor of I&R

District 96:
Randy Davis (R)* - Position unknown

District 97:
Yvonne Kennedy (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 98:
Darren Flott (D) - Position unknown

District 99:
James Buskey (D)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

District 100:
Victor Gaston (R)* - Position unknown

District 101:
Jamie Ison (R)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.
Amy Beckerle Smith (D) - Position unknown

District 102:
Chad Fincher (R) - Position unknown
Gary Johnson (D) - Position unknown

District 103:
Joseph Mitchell (D)* - Position unknown

District 104:
Jim Barton (R)* - Unknown. Refused to answer question by email.

District 105:
Spencer Collier (R)* - Opponent. Voted against I&R in 2006

(TO BE UPDATED AS OTHER RESPONSES ARE RECEIVED)

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My Earlier Report On Candidates For Alabama Offices In 2006

LAST REVISED ON AUGUST 4, 2006

The following is what I have to report on the 2006 candidates as of now.

CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR

The question was sent to:

Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley by phone through a lady in her office at 244-2181 on September 26, 2005. Her “Contact Lucy” button on her website still did not work as of October 8, 2005. A shortened version of the question was sent again through her official website on October 10, 2005. It was sent again through her campaign website “Contact Lucy” link on 21 October, 2005, with no rejection or confirmation of receipt this time. Still another request for a response was sent to her @ lucy@lucybaxley.com on November 21, 2005.

Loretta Nall on September 26, 2005 – Her "YES" reply was received on the same day.

Governor Bob Riley on 21 October, 2005, the question was submitted via the contact email address campaign@bobrileyforgovernor.com on his campaign website. A second request for a response was sent to him @ campaign@bobrileyforgovernor.com on November 21, 2005. Recently I attempted to submit it a third time by email to his Office of Constituent Services, but the email was reported as not delivered because the email address for that office is no longer valid. Does he no longer wish to hear from his constituents?

CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

The question was sent to:

Luther Strange on September 26, 2005. A second request for a response was sent to him @ luther@lutherstrange.com on November 21, 2005. A third request was sent on February 5, 2006 to the same email address as before. (SEE DAN’S SECTION BELOW FOR AN UPDATE)

Jim Folsom Jr: (no email address or campaign website available yet)

SENATORS AND CANDIDATES FOR THE SENATE

Senator Larry Dixon on January 4, 2006. Senator Larry Dixon responded saying, “I have introduced the CA for I and R repeatedly. My commitment to it remains firm. Dixon ” If, indeed, he has introduced constitutional amendments to obtain I&R, it has escaped my attention. To the best of my knowledge the only senator to do so in the 2005 session was Senator Ted Little.

The question was emailed to Arthur Orr, Republican candidate for the Senate District 3 seat on February 13, 2006. His reply, received the following day was, “I strongly support the Initiative and Referendum concept”.

On January 3, 2006, the question was emailed to the following senators who are potential candidates for re-election, or election to a higher office, none of whom I have as yet received a reply from:

Ted Little

Wendell Mitchell

Harri Anne Smith

On February 13, 2006, the question was emailed to the following senators:

Roger Bedford – Tom Butler – Bobby Denton – “Hank” Irwin – Zeb Little - Edward B. "E. B." McClain - Roger Smitherman

As of March 30, 2006 the only response from any of these Senators was a non-response, because I received an email from "Mail Delivery Subsystem" <MAILER-DAEMON@aol.com> saying, "Your mail to the following recipients could not be delivered because they are not accepting mail from (my email address): senatorerwin". I wonder if Senator Irwin's constituents get the same response if they email him.

On February 13, 2006, the question was emailed to Representative Linda Coleman, (D) who is now a candidate for Senate District 20.

I have emailed the question to Senator Smitherman to rodger99@bellsouth.net three times as of the 20^th of March, and each time I have been informed that it was not delivered because his mailbox was over capacity. Senator, if you can hear me, will you please do something about that? Many of those who put you in office may be having the same result.

On the same date the question was sent to these candidates for the senate, none of whom have I heard from as of 29 March, 2006:

Mel C. Glenn, candidate for Senate District 20

On April 3, 2006 the question was sent to Vivian Davis Figures to the email address listed on the Senate website, vdfigures@aol.c. It was immediately returned by the Mail Administrator with this notation: “This e-mail message was undeliverable due to the following reason: The destination mail server was not found." The email address was corrected to read vdfigures@aol.com and the question was sent again on April 4, 2006.

REPRESENTATIVES AND CANDIDATES FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The question was sent to:

Representative David Grimes, House District 73, is a co-sponsor of HB325, the Initiative and Referendum bill in the current session of the legislature, just as he was for the identical bill as HB32 in the prior special session and HB276 in the 2005 regular session. He was asked the question and he replied saying, “I knowingly co-sponsored HB325 with Mike Ball and support I & R without reservations.”

Representative Mike Hill on January 5, 2005. He responded saying, “Yes, I was a cosponsor on Rep. Ball's bill and intend to be in this session.”, as he is.

On January 5, 2006, the question was sent to Barry Mask, who was running in the Republican primary against Elmore County Commissioner Don Whorton, to see who will face Mayor Bobby Payne of Tallassee in the special election for the empty seat in House District 31. He replied on January 8, 2006, with “Yes, I am and have been for a long time generally supportive of I & R.” Mask later won the election convincingly.

Representative Randy Hinshaw, Chairman of the House Constitution and Elections Committee: The question was sent to him the second time on January 15, 2006, and he replied the same day as follows: “I Co-Sponsored HB325 and am a strong supporter of I&R. I have spoken to Rep. Ball and assured him that I&R will be placed on our agenda. I am still working out member requests and scheduling with the leadership and look forward to an expeditious hearing on I&R and other issues.”

Representative Jay Love: I can’t recall the date he was contacted, but his reply, received on February 18, 2006, said, “I support I & R but with the current make-up of the Legislature I doubt I will ever get a chance to vote on it. I will continue to work with Rep. Mike Ball to try and get his bill before us so we can vote on it.”

Representative Blaine Galliher submitted a comment on this website on March 5, 2006, saying, “I am not sure about when you tried to contact me. I know you haven't called my home or my office. (both are listed on the internet site) I have tried for the past 4 years to get I/R out of committee…..”. And, I (Dr. I.Q.) will add that he is also a co-sponsor of Representative Mike Ball’s HB325, a constitutional amendment I&R bill in the current legislative session, which was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives Constitution and Elections Committee on March 1, 2006.

On March 22, 2006, a political blogger named Dan (whose blog can be read @ http://www.betweenthelinks.com/) sent an email to Harold Raley who is campaigning to replace Representative Locy Baker, saying, “I am very interested in your race because you are running against Locy Baker. Baker was an opponent of HB325 this legislative session, which would have made Alabama the 25th state to have Initiatives and Referendum. I&R gives the citizens the ability to propose legislation to be on a general election ballot through a difficult petition process. Baker has indicated that he does not trust his constituents to have the ability to propose legislation without his approval. For this reason, I am interested in the defeat of Locy Baker. Do you also support I&R?”

On April 3, 2006, candidate Raley replied to Dan who forwarded Raley’s reply to me for posting here, in which Harold Raley said. “After reviewing HB325, Initiatives and Referendum, I find that I CAN support this bill.”

On March 25, 2006, the question was emailed to the newly elected Representative Tammy Irons (D), candidate for House District 1 at her support@tammyirons.com address, and I received an automated response saying, “We will attempt to respond within 24 hours.”

On April 4, 2006, the question was sent to the following members of the House of Representatives:

Carns (Rules Committee) who replied the same day saying he will not seek re-election to another term.

DeMarco (Constitution and Elections Committee)

Guin (Rules Committee Chair)

Hammett (Speaker of the House of Representatives)

Hammon (Constitution and Elections Committee)

Representative Jeff McLaughlin (Constitution and Elections Committee) and he replied on April 13, 2006, saying, “Please note that I don't make "pledges" or promises, but I will tell you I supported Representative Ball's bill and will do so again in the future.”

Mitchell (Constitution and Elections Committee)

Newton (Speaker Pro Tempore of the House)

Sherer (Constitution and Elections Committee)

Also on April 4, 2006, it was also sent to the House of Representatives general email address for members who don’t have a personal email address for Representatives Albritton, Bandy, Faust, Hurst , Morrison, and Schmitz (all members of the Constitution and Elections Committee).

On April 5, 2006, the question was sent to the House of Representatives general email address for members who don’t have a personal email address for Representatives Clark, Johnson, Beck, Boyd, Buskey, Ford, Greeson, Hall, Morrison, Payne, Perdue and White, all members of the Rules Committee.

On April 12, 2006, the question was sent to Greg Wren @ gregwrencampaign@hotmail.com who is running to be the representative for house district 75, and he replied the same day saying, “During my previous service in the Alabama House of Representatives, I voted for I & R and will be delighted to again seek its passage when I return to the Alabama Legislature.”

On April 18, 2006, the question was sent to Larry Grewelle who is a retired military/small businessman in Montgomery , running to be the representative for house district 73. The question was emailed to him @ LarryGfor73@yahoo.com on April 18, 2006. He replied on April 21, 2006, saying, “Initiative & Referendum is one of my four key platform issues that I support in my campaign and in the legislature, if elected.”

As he had done once before, the Alabama political blogger named Dan (http://www.betweenthelinks.com/) asked a candidate about his support for Initiative and Referendum, and sent the response to me to post here. This time he asked Pete Ward (R) who is running against Richard Laird (D) in House District 37. Ward’s June 12, 2006, response was, “I am very much interested in I&R and will support its passage.”

The Question was sent to Jefferey Ray Jones, candidate for senate district 33 on August 4, 2006.

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THE 22 REPRESENTATIVES WHO VOTED “NO” ON THE BIR

According to the recorded vote posted on the Alabama Legislative Information System Online (ALISON) website the 22 legislators who voted “No” on the Budget Isolation Resolution for the Initiative and Referendum bill (HB 325) were:

Rep. Locy Baker (D - 85th district/Henry) (334) 242-7693

Rep. Marcel Black (D - 3rd district/Colbert) (334) 242-7667

Rep. George Bandy (D - 83rd district/Lee) (334) 242-7721

Rep. James Buskey (D - 99th district/Mobile) (334) 242-7757

Rep. William Clark (D - 98th district/Mobile) (334) 242-7756

Rep. Linda Coleman (D - 60th district/Jefferson) (334) 242-7684

Rep. Spencer Collier (R - 105th district/Mobile) (334) 242-7719

Rep. Priscilla Dunn (D - 56th district/Jefferson) (334) 242-7702

Rep. Laura Hall (D - 19th district/Madison) (334) 242-7688

Rep. Ralph Howard (D - 72nd district/Hale) (334) 242-7759

Rep. Thomas Jackson (D - 68th district/Choctaw) (334) 242-7738

Rep. Yvonne Kennedy (D - 97th district/Mobile) (334) 242-7737

Rep. Richard Laird (D- 37th district/Chambers) (334) 242-7744

Rep. Richard Lindsey (D - 39th district/Cherokee) (334) 242-7713

Rep. Eric Major (D - 55th district/Jefferson) LOST IN PRIMARY

Rep. Bryant Melton (D - 70th district/Tuscaloosa) MUST RESIGN DUE TO SCANDAL

Rep. Neal Morrison (D - 12th district/Cullman) (334) 242-7770

Rep. Albert Morton (R - 45th district/St. Clair) LOST IN PRIMARY

Rep. Demetrius Newton (D - 53rd district/Jefferson) (334) 242-766

Rep. James Thomas (D - 69th district/Autauga) (334) 242-7701

Rep. Frank White (D- 66th district/Baldwin) (334) 242-7701

Rep. Jack Williams (R - 47th district/Jefferson) (334) 242-7600

The only reason I can imagine for any legislator to oppose I&R is either [a] they are beholden to some special interest group and represent them rather than their constituents, or [b] they don’t trust the voters they represent enough to give them a voice, through I&R, in the government they own and pay for. The constituents of these members should let them know that trust is a two-way street, and since the legislator doesn’t trust them, the voter is not going to trust the legislator at the polls in November, and will influence as many others as possible to vote accordingly, as well.

Those who “Passed” are still in the political closet, but I assume can be considered suspect.

Any representative who voted “No” or “Passed” and wishes to submit a brief explanation of that vote and whether or not they support Initiative and Referendum for their constituents to have it posted here may enter it on the Contact Dr. I.Q. page or email it to driq@doctoriq.com.

Who would have ever thought that some members of the legislature might be two-faced? This may expose a few who probably think few of their constituents will ever know how they voted on a BIR. The following members of the C&E Committee, on a vote more easily accessed, the Constitution and Elections Committee vote to unanimously approve HB325 (which in their heart and mind probably knew their constituents would want passed) voted “Yes” in committee, but either voted “No” or “Passed” on this BIR:

Bandy – NO

Melton – NO

Mitchell – PASSED

Moore – PASSED

Morrison - NO

Every other member of the committee, including a new member who is also the newest member of the legislature, Representative Barry Mask, voted yes.

So, now we know for a certainty of some legislators who need to be drug behind the woodshed by their constituents, 22 in all. In addition, all of those who “Passed” need to be sternly lectured at the very least, because they seem to be working for someone other than those who own our government and pay their salaries.

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