You can separate the leading Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate or the 2nd Congressional District race by their experience, or the amount of money they’ve raised.
But try to find major policy differences; or nuances in their support for President Donald Trump, or any mention of Alabama, and you’re likely to be looking for a long time.
As in the 2017 Republican Senate primary, national issues have shoved local concerns aside in the U.S. Senate race. The main arguments are over loyalty to the president — or, as Republican consultant Angi Stalnaker calls it, “an absolute brofest for Donald Trump.”
“I do believe tying your wagon to the Trump wagon in Alabama is a great idea, but I believe voters are becoming wary of it because there’s not a Trump pick in the race yet,” she said. “I think on election night, there will be campaigns that look back and wish they had run some additional messaging points outside or in addition to ‘I love President Trump.’”
David Mowery, a Montgomery-based political consultant who has worked on political campaigns for Democrats and Republicans, said a Trump-centered conversation benefits political newcomers who don’t have a paper trail of support or opposition. A more targeted approach might have benefited more candidates, he said.
“If we’re going to be the same person and have the same policy thoughts, bring it down to hyperlocal things,” he said. “'This is what I’m going to do for Montgomery. This is what I’m going to do for Huntsville.'”
Trump remains popular in Alabama, particularly among Republican voters, and thanks to a longshot primary challenge from former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld he will be on the ballot on Tuesday.
Democratic voters will also get a chance to pick their candidates. Fourteen presidential contenders are on the ballot, though only eight are still mounting active campaigns. Voters will also be deciding on a constitutional amendment that would abolish the current elected state school board and replace it with an appointed one.
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill estimates turnout will range between 1.1 and 1.3 million voters for both primaries, a 30 to 35% turnout. Polls open at 7 a.m. and will be open to 7 p.m. Voters must present a valid form of identification to cast a ballot.
Outside the presidential contest, if no candidate breaks 50% in a race, a runoff will be held on March 31.
President
The active Democratic candidates on the ballot are former Vice President Joe Biden; former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii; Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
It’s impossible to say which Democrat is likely to breakthrough. Polling of the Democratic primary in Alabama is almost nonexistent. While almost every candidate has visited Alabama, Bloomberg has spent the most time and money in the state, hiring 30 staffers and making two visits to Montgomery over the last four months.
Barring mass hypnosis; a sudden defection to the Democratic Party, or a series of angry tweets about Nick Saban, Trump is certain to win Alabama’s delegates for the Republican National Convention.
More: Bloomberg builds unrivaled advertising campaign, staff in Alabama ahead of Super Tuesday
U.S. Senate
Seven Republicans — businessman Stanley Adair; U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Mobile; Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Indian Springs; former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore; community activist Ruth Page Nelson; former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions and former Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville — are seeking their party’s nomination for U.S. Senate. The eventual winner will face incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Doug Jones in the November election.
With Trump on the ballot, a Republican victory in the Senate election appears likely. While Moore continues to have high name recognition, Byrne, Sessions and Tuberville appear most likely to make it to a runoff. The three men have almost no differences on policy, and the campaign has largely been about which one will be most loyal to Donald Trump.
More: Aides, lawmakers work behind the scenes to try to sway Trump on Jeff Sessions before Alabama Senate primary
2nd Congressional District
The district stretches from suburban Montgomery through the southeast corner of the state. Five-term incumbent Martha Roby, a Republican from Montgomery, said last year she would not seek re-election.
Seven Republicans — student and investor Thomas Brown; businessman Jeff Coleman; nonprofit executive Terri Hasdorff; former Alabama Attorney General Troy King; former Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise; electric contractor Bob Rogers, and grant assistance business owner Jessica Taylor — are vying for the nomination for their party.
As in the Senate primary, there are very few policy differences between the candidates. Coleman has heavily outspent the field, but the number of candidates makes it appear likely the Republican nomination will go to a March 31 runoff.
Two Democrats — education consultant Phyllis Harvey-Hall and former State Rep. Nathan Mathis — are seeking the nomination. Both are in broad agreement on policy issues but emphasize different priorities.
The 2nd Congressional District is heavily Republican and has only elected one Democrat to Congress in the past 50 years.
More: A voter's guide to the Alabama 2nd Congressional District primary
Amendment One
State voters will decide whether to abolish the current Alabama State Board of Education. If Amendment One gets approval, voters would no longer choose their representatives on the state board. Instead, an “Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education" would replace the current board. The governor would appoint commission members, subject to confirmation by the state Senate.
The amendment would also change the title of state superintendent of education to secretary of elementary and secondary education. The commission would appoint the secretary, subject to state Senate approval. Finally, the amendment would order the new commission to get rid of standards derived from Common Core.
Supporters of the measure, including Gov. Kay Ivey and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, argue that Alabama’s perpetually poor performance in education requires changes to governance. Critics say it takes voters’ power away to select the state board.
Other races
Alabama Supreme Court: A primary on the Republican side pits Alabama Supreme Court Justice Greg Shaw against Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster. No Democrat is running for the seat.
Alabama Courts of Civil and Criminal Appeals: No Democrats are running for the appellate court seats, making the GOP primary the general election. Former family court judge Phillip Bahakel and Rep. Matt Fridy, R-Montevallo, are running for the Place 2 seat on the Court of Civil Appeals. On the Court of Criminal Appeals, incumbent Mary Windom faces attorney Melvin Hasting for Place 1. The Place 2 seat is a three-way contest between incumbent Beth Kellum; former Jefferson County District Court Judge Jill Ganus, and former Lauderdale County Commissioner Will Smith.
Public Service Commission President: Incumbent Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, a Republican, faces a primary challenge from Robin Litaker, a Fairhope business executive. The Democratic primary features Laura Casey, a retired attorney, and Robert Mardis, a corporate imaging specialist.
State School Board District 5: Though approval of Amendment One could wipe out the organization entirely, nine people are seeking the Alabama State Board of Education seat held for 19 years by Ella Bell, who died in November. (Tommie Stewart, appointed in Bell’s place, is not running.) Eight of the candidates are Democrats: Fred Bell, Tonya Smith Chestnut, Ron Davis, Pamela Laffitte, Patrice “Penni” McClammy, Woodie Pugh Jr., Joanne Shum, and Bille Jean Young. Republican Lesa Keith is running unopposed for the nomination.
Montgomery Circuit and District Court: No Republicans are running for the seats, making the Democratic primary the effective election. For Circuit Court Judge Place 2, incumbent Brooke Reid faces attorney Madeline Hinson Lewis. For Circuit Court Judge Place 7, Deputy District Attorney Lloria Munnerlyn James is running against attorney Vicky Toles. For District Court Judge Place 1, incumbent Monet McCorvey Gaines faces attorney Angela Starr.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brian Lyman at 334-240-0185 or blyman@gannett.com. Updated at 1:01 p.m. after Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar suspended her campaign.
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Alabama primary voter's guide: Much about Donald Trump; little about the state - Montgomery Advertiser
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