Government

2020 Voter Guide: Jones Meets Tuberville in Scrimmage to Claim U.S. Senate Seat

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the first Democrat Alabama has elected to the Senate in 25 years, is running an aggressive campaign to keep the seat and show he’s no one-hit wonder. He’s facing off against Tommy Tuberville, former Auburn University head football coach who is trying to reclaim the seat for the Republicans, in the Nov. 3 general election.

Jones Runs Aggressive Campaign to Maintain Senate Seat for the Democrats

Was Doug Jones’ victory a fluke? That’s been the prevailing question since November 2017’s special election, when Jones narrowly edged out Roy Moore for the Alabama Senate seat vacated by then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Jones, an attorney from Birmingham, became the deep-red state’s first Democratic senator in a quarter-century, though many attributed the upset to the allegations of sexual misconduct that plagued his far-right opponent. Read more.

With a Commanding Lead in Polls, Tuberville Shuns Media and Jones While Embracing Trump

Tommy Tuberville has never run for political office in his life. But now he’s running for the United States Senate like he’s an incumbent. He’s keeping his head down and avoiding mistakes. If pre-election polling is correct, the game plan is working. Read more. BirminghamWatch’s 2020 Voter Guide

Printable Sample Ballots for Jefferson and Shelby Counties

List of Candidates with Profiles

Your Guide to Alabama’s 2020 Constitutional Amendments

Poll Watchers Have Strict Rules to Follow, and So Do Others at the Polls

Voting by Absentee Ballot

by BirminghamWatch

Jones Runs Aggressive Campaign to Maintain Senate Seat for the Democrats

Was Doug Jones’ victory a fluke? That’s been the prevailing question since November 2017’s special election, when Jones narrowly edged out Roy Moore for the Alabama Senate seat vacated by then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Jones, an attorney from Birmingham, became the deep-red state’s first Democratic senator in a quarter-century, though many attributed the upset to the allegations of sexual misconduct that plagued his far-right opponent. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

With a Commanding Lead in Polls, Tuberville Shuns Media and Jones While Embracing Trump

Tommy Tuberville has never run for political office in his life. But now he’s running for the United States Senate like he’s an incumbent. He’s keeping his head down and avoiding mistakes. If pre-election polling is correct, the game plan is working. Read more.

by Robert Carter

Gary Palmer, 2020 general election

U.S. House of Representatives, AL District 6 Gary Palmer Party: Republican Age: 66 Residence: Hoover Political experience: Member, U.S. House of Representatives, Alabama District 6, 2015-present; member, Gov. Robert Bentley’s Task Force to Strengthen Alabama Families; member, Alabama Commission on Improving State Government; advisor, Gov. Fob James’ Aerospace, Science, and Technology Task Force; member, Welfare

by Glenn Stephens

Terri Sewell, 2020 general election

U.S. House of Representatives, Alabama District 7 Terri Sewell Party: Democrat Age: 55 Residence: Birmingham Political experience: Member, U.S. House of Representatives, Alabama District 7, 2011-present. Professional experience: Shareholder, Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C., 2005-present; Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 1994-2005; law clerk, Judge U.W. Clemon, Northern District of Alabama, 1993-1994. Civic experience: Board

by Glenn Stephens

Senate Defeats $500 Billion Stimulus Bill

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate split along party lines last week on a $500 billion Republican-backed coronavirus-relief bill, and Alabama’s senators were no exception. Sixty votes were needed to pass the bill, but the vote was 51 for and 44 against. Democrats complained there wasn’t enough money in the bill, including its lack of $1,200 in direct payments to individuals. Sen. Richard Shelby, R, voted for it. Sen. Doug Jones, D, voted against it. Read more.

by Voterama in Congress

Neither Gloom nor Rain Discourages These Voters From Casting Ballots

Rain Saturday did not deter hundreds of voters who lined up to vote their absentee ballot in person at the downtown Jefferson County courthouse. It was the last Saturday the two courthouses in Birmingham and Bessemer were to be open for absentee voters before Nov. 3’s election. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Brandon Herren, 2020 general election

Assistant Tax Assessor, Bessemer Division of Jefferson County Brandon Herren  Republican  Age: 39 Residence: Hueytown Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for deputy treasurer in 2016 Professional experience: Systems administrator and Realtor; holds real estate and insurance licenses. Civic experience: Member of Masonic Lodge 617 and participates in charitable events. Education: Graduate of Hueytown High School; attended

by BirminghamWatch

Woodfin Says Sale of Parking Decks Would Lessen COVID-19’s Economic Damage

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin says the proposed sale of several city-owned parking decks is an opportunity to lessen the economic damage done to the city by COVID-19 — including bringing back furloughed public library employees. Woodfin said in an interview with BirminghamWatch that the city received an unsolicited offer from Birmingham Economic Development Partners LLC — a group founded last month by Shipt founder Bill Smith, according to paperwork filed in Jefferson County Probate Court — to purchase six of the city’s 11 parking decks for a total of $41 million. If the sale is approved by the City Council, the city could receive that money in one lump sum in 60 days — which could go a long way toward offsetting the $63 million budget shortfall caused by COVID-19. Among other things, Woodfin says, the money would go toward reinstating library employees who were furloughed as a result of severe budget cuts. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Jefferson County Schools Plan to Expand Broadband to Serve Students Learning Virtually

Help is on the way for remote learners who have had little to no access to Wi-Fi. Meeting in Bessemer Thursday, the Jefferson County Commission amended the Cares Act Coronavirus Relief Fund subgrant agreement with the Jefferson County Board of Education to award an additional $4,648,600 to expand broadband capacity to reach students taking classes virtually. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.