The Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) and the Alabama Association of Realtors have both decided to not get involved in the Alabama First Congressional District Republican primary.
According to sources with knowledge of ALFA’s political operation, the group commissioned a poll earlier this month in order to get a better handle on the current state of the race. ALFA declined to share the survey’s results with Yellowhammer, but insiders have speculated that the numbers played a role in their decision not to endorse a candidate.
ALFA spokesman Jeff Helms said, though, that the Federation will likely endorse if there is a primary runoff.
“Alabama’s 1st congressional district is fortunate to have several strong, conservative candidates in the primary who have a record of supporting issues important to our members,” Helms told Yellowhammer via email. “The Alabama Farmers Federation endorses candidates based on the recommendation of county Farmers Federations in each district. Our farmer members in District 1 have not, collectively, recommended endorsements in the party primaries. The Federation is expected to make an endorsement if there is a primary runoff as well as in the general election. ”
The Alabama Association of Realtors is also said to have contacted some of the campaigns and told them that the Association will not be getting involved.
Realtors Association President Barry Mask was not immediately available for comment.
The news is likely to have the most effect on State Rep. Chad Fincher, who told Yellowhammer in an interview two weeks ago that he was actively pursuing the endorsement of both groups.
Here are a couple of quotes given to Yellowhammer by Fincher on Aug. 11:
“We’re really working hard to get [the endorsement of] our local, state and national associations of realtors.”
…
“[I] have a long history of working closely with the Farmers Federation because I believe in what they stand for…. Agriculture built this state and I’m proud to represent them and hope to get their endorsement so I can represent them in Congress.”
Fincher did, however, get the endorsement of GOPAC, a D.C.-based conservative group that has already spent some money out of their SuperPAC to drop a mail piece touting his conservative credentials.
Fincher told Yellowhammer today that his push for coastal insurance reform legislation in the state legislature may have impacted ALFA’s decision to stay neutral.
“I believe all the candidates met with the ALFA as part of their endorsement process, and they decided to stay neutral,” Fincher said. “ALFA has endorsed me in the past, but that was before I co-sponsored insurance reform legislation. I have always been proud to support our farmers and the local Mobile County Farmers Federation endorsed me again for this race, but on insurance coverage for people in South Alabama we just have a difference of opinion, and I am always going to support my constituents over what any special interest group wants – whether that’s providing school choice for parents when AEA lobbies against it, or insurance reform when ALFA opposes it. The fact is I am the only candidate in this race who has co-sponsored legislation and tried to truly help residents in South Alabama get relief from the high cost of insurance, and that is more important to me than an endorsement from ALFA.”
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
