“Rumors and Rumblings” is a weekly feature that runs each Wednesday. It includes short nuggets of information that we glean from conversations throughout the week. Have a tip? Send it here. All sources remain confidential.
1. New ALGOP Political Director
Sources on the ALGOP Steering Committee told Yellowhammer on Monday that Louisiana-based political consultant John Kay will soon be named Political Director of the Alabama Republican Party.
Kay’s background includes independent political consulting work as the owner of Capitol Strategies of Louisiana, a stint as a District staffer for Congressman John Fleming, and various campaign and political positions for elected officials and the Louisiana Republican Party.
Insiders say that several potential candidates were interviewed, but Kay landed the job after a strong interview. Initial rumors were that Kay would be coming in as Executive Director, but the Party has no immediate plans to replace outgoing ED T.J. Maloney whose resignation is effective at the end of the month. Maloney had been handling much of the political and communications load. Now that Kay will be coming in to handle the political side, the Party is looking for potential new communications directors.
2. Ad War Still Going, AEA Not Swaying Public Opinion
The AEA has so far spent over $250k on advertisements attacking Republicans for supporting the Alabama Accountability Act. The Foundation for Accountability in Education, a non-profit group which was launched by GOP legislative leadership to push back against the AEA attacks, also has ads running across the state providing some cover for Republicans in their districts. “It looks like the AEA has outspent the foundation approximately 2 to 1,” a media source told Yellowhammer Tuesday. However, the Foundation is outspending the AEA this week, and is set to do the same next week as well. AEA’s total spending is larger due in large part to their decision to buy newspaper ads and robo calls in addition to their radio ad buy. The Foundation has been active almost exclusively on radio to this point.
In spite of the ad blitz, the AEA has done little to sway public opinion against the legislation. Well-known GOP pollster Jim McLaughlin spoke to the House Caucus today and reiterated that school choice is a winning issue politically with the Alabama electorate.
3. New Shelby County Legislative Seat Attracting Interest
Because of the population boom in Shelby County over the last decade, a new House seat was added to the County during redistricting. The new seat will be District 73 and will be on the ballot in 2014. Open seats are few and far between, and usually attract a lot of interest from potential candidates. This seat appears to be no exception as rumors are already swirling about potential candidates.
Shelby County attorney Matt Fridy, who recently ran for ALGOP Chairman, is the early frontrunner should he decide to jump. Insiders say he was in Montgomery this week making the rounds and was receiving a lot of encouragement to throw his hat in the ring.
Mychal Smith, an up-and-coming young Republican who lives in the new District 73, is also rumored to be considering a run.
