Mike Durant United States Senator Party: Republican Age: 60 Residence: Huntsville Political experience: None. Professional experience: Founder and owner of Pinnacle Solutions, an aerospace company based in Huntsville. Civic experience: Spent 22 years in the U.S. Army, where he earned a Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star with
Karla M. DuPriest United States Senator Party: Republican Age: 60 Residence: Mobile Political experience: Member, Azalea City Republican Women and Mobile County Republican Executive Committee. Professional experience: Small business owner of Chris & Karla’s Heavenly Ribs and a U-Haul dealership. Civic experience: Member of Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Church of Christ Children Group and
Morris Jackson “Mo” Brooks Jr. United States Senate Party: Republican Age: 67 Residence: Huntsville Political experience: U.S. representative for Alabama’s 5th congressional district from 2011- present; Madison County Commission from 1996-2011; Alabama House of Representatives from 1982–1992. Professional experience: Has worked as a lawyer in private practice, a prosecutor in Tuscaloosa County, the Madison County
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin presented his “whopping” FY 2023 budget proposal to the City Council on Tuesday, describing it as a reflection of “an unprecedented time of investment and growth” for the city. The $517 million budget is up roughly $61.5 million from last year’s budget, which at the time was the city’s largest-ever. Most of that money, Woodfin said, came from increases in business tax revenues — particularly business license revenue, which are projected to rise $23 million compared to last year. As a result, Woodfin said, “appropriations are up across the board.” Roughly two-thirds of the budget would go toward personnel costs — a priority for Woodfin’s administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Neighborhood revitalization, another of the mayor’s key issues, is also a focus, with $2 million earmarked for blight removal, $1.5 million for weed abatement and $15 million for street resurfacing. The biggest increase in revenue would go to the Birmingham Police Department, which would receive $118.5 million — up $18 million from last year. Read more.
Katie Britt United States Senator Party: Republican Age: 40 Residence: Montgomery Political experience: Worked as press secretary for Sen. Richard Shelby from 2004-2007, and chief of staff from 2016-2018. Professional experience: Worked as an attorney for the law firm Butler Snow, 2014 to 2021; In December 2018, Britt was selected as president and CEO of
Lillie Boddie United States Senator Party: Republican Residence: Florence Boddie filed paperwork with the party to run for the office but has no campaign presence. Paperwork she filed with the Federal Election Committee stated that she had no intention to raise money and said, “I mostly just want my name on the ballot.”
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin presented his “whopping” FY 2023 budget proposal to the City Council on Tuesday, describing it as a reflection of “an unprecedented time of investment and growth” for the city. The $517 million budget is up roughly $61.5 million from last year’s budget, which at the time was the city’s largest-ever. Most of that money, Woodfin said, came from increases in business tax revenues — particularly business license revenue, which are projected to rise $23 million compared to last year. As a result, Woodfin said, “appropriations are up across the board.” Roughly two-thirds of the budget would go toward personnel costs — a priority for Woodfin’s administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Neighborhood revitalization, another of the mayor’s key issues, is also a focus, with $2 million earmarked for blight removal, $1.5 million for weed abatement and $15 million for street resurfacing. The biggest increase in revenue would go to the Birmingham Police Department, which would receive $118.5 million — up $18 million from last year. Read more.
Doug “New Blue” Smith Alabama Governor Party: Democratic Age: 82 Residence: Montgomery Political experience: Previously ran for state Senate, Agriculture and Industries commissioner and governor; chief assistant to former Gov. Lurleen Wallace Professional experience: Developmental economist; retired corporate attorney; worked for a congressman in Washington, D.C. earlier in his career; former director of the Alabama Development Office
Chad “Chig” Martin Alabama Governor Party: Democratic Age: 54 Residence: Enterprise Political experience: Ran for governor as an independent write-in candidate, 2018 Professional experience: Founded Thunder Industrial, which manufactures construction products, 18 years ago; started the first CBD and hemp dispensary in the state, Honeysuckle Hemp Company; operates his late parents’ mobile home park; has his own
Arthur Kennedy Alabama Governor Party: Democrat Residence: Midland City Political experience: First run for public office. Professional experience: Served in the U.S. Army, 1994- 2020, retired. Education: Troy University, bachelor’s degree, 2021. Main issues: Voting rights, wants to make it easier to vote and extend the days to vote in person; expand Medicaid; reform the criminal justice system by
