It looks like the front runners in fundraising  for the Alabama gubernatorial race are Bradley Byrne and Artur Davis. Former two-year college chancellor Bradley Byrne has raised more contributions than any other Republican candidate for governor and U.S. Representative Artur Davis is the top fundraiser among the Democrats. This is according to new campaign finance reports.

Tim James, a Greenville, AL business man, son of former Governor James, who is running for the Republican spot has generated the most money. Of the $4 million reported, $2 million is a loan from James to his campaign and $700k in the form of loans from contributors.

Theses reports were due Monday, February 1 for candidates for Governor to report how much money they raised in 2009.

Byrne reported $2.6 million in contributions. This consists of donations from political action committees associated with businesses. One political action committee contributed $300k, the Alabama Retail Association. Byrne received $25k each from William E. Smith, Jr. and Michael Thompson, both Birmingham businessmen.

Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore’s report shows $379,880 in contributions. That amount includes $10k from Michael Peroutka, who was the Constitution Party’s candidate for president in 2004, and $10k from Stephen Peroutka, Chairman of the National Pro-Life Action Center.

Alabama State Treasurer Kay Ivey loaned her campaign $1.7 million and had received approximately $87k in contributions.  Bill Johnson, who is a former Riley Cabinet member raised approximately $80k. One-half of that amount is reported to have been contributed by a Birmingham-based PAC whose financial report for campaigns was not available. Johnson made $40k in loans to his campaign. Robert Bentley, a state representative from Birmingham, reported $144,067 in contributions and $787k in personal loans to his campaign.

For the Democratic candidates, U.S. Rep. Artur Davis reported $2.2 million in contributions in 2009. $1 million of that amount was a transfer from his congressional account. Davis’ contributors were listed as: $35k from Jay Grinney, an executive with HealthSouth in Birmingham; $25k from Clyde Anderson, an executive with Books-A-Million; $15k from Patrick Coughlin, a San Diego attorney; $10k from Jere Beasley, who is Davis’ campaign manager; $10k from T. Michael Goodrich, former Chairman of BE&K, Birmingham; $2,500 from Morris Dees, Southern Poverty Law Center Founder, Montgomery; and finally $1k from Vernon Jordan, Jr. who is a former advisor to President Clinton.

Ron Sparks, State of Alabama Agriculture Commissioner reported lending his campaign $500k and receiving approximately $656k in contributions. Of that total, much was actually from 2010, rather than 2009.
Sparks has indicated that he supports taxing, regulating and expanding gambling in the state. He received contributions in the amount of $100 from PACs related to gambling. These include the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Macon County Greyhound Park, Jefferson County Racing Association and Greenetrack.
Sparks also received $100k from the Alabama State Teacher’s Association. He opposes the idea of charter schools; the Alabama Education Association is fighting Governor Riley’s charter school plan.

Artur Davis’ stand on Issues as indicated by his voting record are listed below.  If you would like more information on Davis’ stand on other issues, please visit his website at Artur Davis

ABORTION:
*  Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Jan 2007)
* Voted YES on allowing human embryonic stem cell research. (May 2005)
* Voted YES on restricting interstate transport of minors to get abortions. (Apr 2005)
* Voted NO on making it a crime to harm a fetus during another crime. (Feb 2004)
* Voted YES on banning partial-birth abortion except to save mother’s life. (Oct 2003)
* Voted YES on forbidding human cloning for reproduction & medical research. (Feb 2003)
* Rated 30% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
* Rated 20% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion. (Dec 2006)

BUDGET AND ECONOMY:

*  Voted YES on $192B additional anti-recession stimulus spending. (Jul 2009)
* Voted YES on modifying bankruptcy rules to avoid mortgage foreclosures. (Mar 2009)
* Voted YES on additional $825 billion for economic recovery package. (Jan 2009)
* Voted YES on monitoring TARP funds to ensure more mortgage relief. (Jan 2009)
* Voted NO on $15B bailout for GM and Chrysler. (Dec 2008)
* Voted YES on $60B stimulus package for jobs, infrastructure, & energy. (Sep 2008)
* Voted YES on defining “energy emergency” on federal gas prices. (Jun 2008)
* Voted YES on revitalizing severely distressed public housing. (Jan 2008)
* Voted YES on regulating the subprime mortgage industry. (Nov 2007)
* Voted YES on restricting bankruptcy rules. (Jan 2004)
* Get minorities into home ownership & global marketplace. (Jan 2001)

CRIME:

Voted NO on enforcing against anti-gay hate crimes. (Apr 2009)

EDUCATION:

*  Voted YES on $40B for green public schools. (May 2009)
* Voted YES on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects. (Nov 2007)
* Voted YES on allowing Courts to decide on “God” in Pledge of Allegiance. (Jul 2006)
* Voted YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
* Offer every parent Charter Schools and public school choice. (Aug 2000)
* Rated 100% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)

ENVIRONMENT:

*  Voted YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Jul 2009)
* Voted YES on protecting free-roaming horses and burros. (Jul 2009)
* Voted YES on environmental education grants for outdoor experiences. (Sep 2008)
* Voted YES on $9.7B for Amtrak improvements and operation thru 2013. (Jun 2008)
* Voted YES on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M. (Jun 2006)
* Voted YES on barring website promoting Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump. (May 2006)
* Voted YES on deauthorizing “critical habitat” for endangered species. (Sep 2005)
* Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects. (Nov 2003)
* Rated 60% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)
* Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)

FAMILIES AND CHILDREN:

*  Voted YES on four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees. (Jun 2009)
* Voted YES on establishing nationwide AMBER alert system for missing kids. (Apr 2003)
* Give parents tools to balance work and family. (Aug 2000)
* Rated 33% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
* Permanent crime database for volunteers with kids. (Jul 2008)

GOVERNMENT REFORM:

*  Voted YES on requiring lobbyist disclosure of bundled donations. (May 2007)
* Voted YES on granting Washington DC an Electoral vote & vote in Congress. (Apr 2007)
* Voted YES on protecting whistleblowers from employer recrimination. (Mar 2007)
* Voted NO on requiring photo ID for voting in federal elections. (Sep 2006)
* Voted NO on restricting independent grassroots political committees. (Apr 2006)
* Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits about obesity against food providers. (Oct 2005)
* Voted YES on limiting attorney’s fees in class action lawsuits. (Feb 2005)
* Voted NO on restricting frivolous lawsuits. (Sep 2004)
* Voluntary public financing for all general elections. (Aug 2000)
* Election reform is #1 priority to prevent disenfranchisement. (Jan 2001)
* Criminalize false or deceptive info about elections. (Nov 2005)
* Prohibit voter intimidation in federal elections. (Mar 2007)

GUN CONTROL:

*  Voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
* Voted YES on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
* Prevent unauthorized firearm use with “smart gun” technology. (Aug 2000)
* Ban gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington DC. (Mar 2007)

HEALTH CARE:

*  Voted YES on regulating tobacco as a drug. (Apr 2009)
* Voted YES on expanding the Children’s Health Insurance Program. (Jan 2009)
* Voted YES on overriding veto on expansion of Medicare. (Jul 2008)
* Voted YES on giving mental health full equity with physical health. (Mar 2008)
* Voted YES on Veto override: Extend SCHIP to cover 6M more kids. (Jan 2008)
* Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Oct 2007)
* Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Jan 2007)
* Voted NO on denying non-emergency treatment for lack of Medicare co-pay. (Feb 2006)
* Voted NO on limiting medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000 damages. (May 2004)
* Voted NO on limited prescription drug benefit for Medicare recipients. (Nov 2003)
* Voted YES on allowing reimportation of prescription drugs. (Jul 2003)
* Voted YES on small business associations for buying health insurance. (Jun 2003)
* Voted NO on capping damages & setting time limits in medical lawsuits. (Mar 2003)
* Establish “report cards” on HMO quality of care. (Aug 2000)
* Increase funding for AIDS treatment & prevention. (Jan 2001)
* More funding for Rx benefits, community health, CHIPs. (Jan 2001)
* Rated 78% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
* Expand the National Health Service Corps. (Mar 2009)

HOMELAND SECURITY:

*  Voted YES on requiring FISA warrants for wiretaps in US, but not abroad. (Mar 2008)
* Voted YES on Veto override: Congressional oversight of CIA interrogations. (Mar 2008)
* Voted YES on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
* Voted YES on restricting no-bid defense contracts. (Mar 2007)
* Voted NO on allowing electronic surveillance without a warrant. (Sep 2006)
* Voted YES on continuing intelligence gathering without civil oversight. (Apr 2006)
* Voted YES on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists. (Feb 2005)
* Voted YES on continuing military recruitment on college campuses. (Feb 2005)
* Voted YES on adopting the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. (Oct 2004)
* Voted YES on emergency $78B for war in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Apr 2003)
* Rated 78% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)
* Military spouses don’t lose voting residency while abroad. (Feb 2009)

IMMIGRATION:

*  Voted YES on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
* Voted NO on reporting illegal aliens who receive hospital treatment. (May 2004)
* Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
* Comprehensive immigration reform without amnesty. (May 2005)
* Cover child resident aliens under Medicaid and SCHIP. (May 2005)
* Rated 33% by USBC, indicating a mixed record on open borders. (Dec 2006)

JOBS:

*  Voted YES on extending unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 59 weeks. (Oct 2008)
* Voted YES on overriding presidential veto of Farm Bill. (Jun 2008)
* Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Mar 2007)
* Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Jan 2007)
* Voted YES on end offshore tax havens and promote small business. (Oct 2004)
* Rated 87% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
* Allow an Air Traffic Controller’s Union. (Jan 2006)
* Ban discriminatory compensation; allow 2 years to sue. (Jan 2009)
* Stronger enforcement against gender-based pay discrimination. (Jan 2009)

TAX REFORM:

*  Voted YES on extending AMT exemptions to avoid hitting middle-income. (Jun 2008)
* Voted YES on paying for AMT relief by closing offshore business loopholes. (Dec 2007)
* Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Dec 2005)
* Voted YES on providing tax relief and simplification. (Sep 2004)
* Voted YES on making permanent an increase in the child tax credit. (May 2004)
* Voted YES on permanently eliminating the marriage penalty. (Apr 2004)
* Rated 23% by NTU, indicating a “Big Spender” on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
* Rated 75% by CTJ, indicating a mixed record on progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

TECHNOLOGY:

*  Voted YES on delaying digital TV conversion by four months. (Mar 2009)
* Voted YES on retroactive immunity for telecoms’ warrantless surveillance. (Jun 2008)
* Voted YES on $23B instead of $4.9B for waterway infrastructure. (Nov 2007)
* Voted NO on establishing “network neutrality” (non-tiered Internet). (Jun 2006)
* Voted YES on increasing fines for indecent broadcasting. (Feb 2005)
* Voted YES on promoting commercial human space flight industry. (Nov 2004)
* Voted YES on banning Internet gambling by credit card. (Jun 2003)
* Chief information officer to digitize federal government. (Aug 2000)
* Close digital divide with high-tech training. (Jan 2001)
* Permanent ban on state & local taxation of Internet access. (Oct 2007)
* No performance royalties for radio music. (Mar 2009)

Bradley Byrne’s stand on the issues, as released by his campaign, are listed below.  If you would like more information or questions about Byrne on specific issues not addressed here please visit Bradley Byrne

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM:

The matter of Constitutional Reform has become an issue of significant concern to many Alabamians, and is one that calls for leadership and careful deliberation. I do not support the position of those who contend that the state should convene a constitutional convention for the purpose of rewriting the 1901 Alabama Constitution. I have long supported a constitutional recompilation carried out in an Article-by-Article approach.

ECONOMY:

The people of Alabama have never been ones to duck challenges. In fact, some of the state’s very best moments have come in the face of adversity. Consider our proactive and concerted response to the rapid economic and technological changes that spurred the loss of our long prominent textile industry. A powerful combination of determination, vision, flexibility and innovation gave us the drive to become a worldwide leader in automotive manufacturing, launched us further in prominence as an aerospace innovator and gave us the confidence to pursue and win coveted economic development projects outsiders told us were unthinkable.

EDUCATION:

I’ve been an education reformer for many years, and I have learned what can and cannot work in what should be the core mission of the education system in Alabama – to prepare and educate our children.Too many of our young people are dropping out of high school, and we cannot afford to continue losing one-third of our students every single year. Eighth graders need to read at grade level so they have a chance to succeed, and we must make high school math and science relevant so they connect the dots:  A good education means a good job and a better life.

ETHICS REFORM:

No one could have had the experiences I have had in reforming and cleaning up the two-year college system without coming out of that time with a complete appreciation and understanding of how vital strong ethical leadership is to every part of state government. We will commit this state to having a government that fosters a culture of integrity.

FISCAL POLICY AND TAXES:

Just six weeks after the next Governor of Alabama takes the oath of office, he or she will be tasked with presenting the Legislature a balanced budget that will not only reflect lower revenues associated with our lagging economy, but also continuing and unsustainable increases in public healthcare and retirement costs, as well as the loss of $700 million in federal stimulus money that was available to prop up our current state budgets. And although the job ahead is not for the faint of heart, it can be accomplished with strong leadership, disciplined management and innovation. Some will likely argue that new taxes are on the only answer. They are wrong. Taxes are not the answer. In fact, they are part of the problem. As your governor, I will fight tooth and nail against any attempt to raise taxes on the people or businesses of Alabama.

GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED HEALTHCARE:

The Democratic leadership in Washington wants to force states to participate in a government run, government funded health care program that would unleash a wave of burdens, high costs and confusion on the people of Alabama. As I have said in the past, if this dangerous, intrusive legislation passes Congress, I would opt our state out of the program, if faced with that choice as governor, because it will force more burdensome tax increases on the families and business of Alabama.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION:

I believe politicians who address the problem of illegal immigration only by deferring responsibility to the federal government, are failing their citizens.  As governor, I will work to equip our state and local officials with all available tools to combat illegal immigration.The federal government has failed in its duty to enforce the nation’s immigration laws; and, as a result, Alabama, and other states across the country, face the burden of dealing with illegal immigrants and a variety of other costly issues.  I strongly believe that when the federal government fails to act on problems that put our state and citizens at risk, or when it over-reaches and intrudes inappropriately into our lives, it becomes the governors’ responsibility to serve as the first line of defense for their states.

STATE’S RIGHTS:

I’ve had the opportunity in recent months to visit with thousands of Alabamians across the state; and repeatedly, one of the biggest concerns shared with me is the increasingly troubling trend by the federal government to invade their lives in unprecedented ways.I share those concerns. Federal mandates, whether we’re talking about intrusive proposals that would require every person to buy health insurance coverage, force states to permanently expand their unemployment compensation benefit laws in exchange for short-term stimulus money, take away a worker’s right to private ballot voting in union elections, or force compliance with unfair, unproven and expensive environmental regulations, are cropping up everywhere.

VETERANS AND MILITARY:

As Alabama’s governor, I will work hard to make sure our state is second to none when it comes to standing up for our veterans. I will commit the efforts of my administration to making Alabama the most welcoming state in the nation for veterans and their families.

The gubernatorial primaries are fast-approaching. Please research these candidates and know where they stand on issues that are important to you. Davis’ and Byrne’s positions on issues are listed because they were the reported top fundraisers for their respective campaigns. If you have any questions about where a candidate stands on issues, please visit their website:

Tim James, Ron Sparks,  Roy Moore
Kay Ivey,   Bill Johnson,  Robert Bentley

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