AL-6: Bachus retiring

[RogueBeaver]

Another crowded Pub primary?

[Miles]

Wow.

Senator Scott Beason challenged him in 2012 in the primary but Bachus won by a wider than expected margin. Redistricting was a wash for Beason, as St. Clair county was excised from the new district but it picked up Blount county.

As they said over at Red Racing Horses, there are really any number of local Republican officials who could run here.

[NewYorkExpress]

Safe R. There really isn't any significant D opposition likely.

I'd bet on a Tea party - lite individual winning a GOP primary here.

[free my dawg]

D+1

[Miles]

There was some minor redistricting drama over this district. Other than Beason, one of the other State Senators viewed as a possible contender is Cam Ward. During redistricting, Beason tried to move some of Ward's areas out of CD6 in the event the seat became open. Beason's plan failed.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Is it possible that this might allow Bachus to be a voice of sanity concerning the budget showdown and the debt ceiling, or would he still be crazy, even tho he wasn't crazy enough for the Tea Party?

[minionofmidas]

TP+1

[ElectionsGuy]

TP+1

Yeah, looks like the Tea Party could pick up a district here in 2014. Especially when Mitt Romney won 74-25.

[Miles]

There was some minor redistricting drama over this district. Other than Beason, one of the other State Senators viewed as a possible contender is Cam Ward. During redistricting, Beason tried to move some of Ward's areas out of CD6 in the event the seat became open. Beason's plan failed.

Despite having his territory kept in the district, Ward is taking a pass.

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I can see him running for something statewide in the future.

[Badger]

There was some minor redistricting drama over this district. Other than Beason, one of the other State Senators viewed as a possible contender is Cam Ward. During redistricting, Beason tried to move some of Ward's areas out of CD6 in the event the seat became open. Beason's plan failed.

Despite having his territory kept in the district, Ward is taking a pass.

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I can see him running for something statewide in the future.

"Alabaster Republican"?

Aren't they all down that away?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

There was some minor redistricting drama over this district. Other than Beason, one of the other State Senators viewed as a possible contender is Cam Ward. During redistricting, Beason tried to move some of Ward's areas out of CD6 in the event the seat became open. Beason's plan failed.

Despite having his territory kept in the district, Ward is taking a pass.

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I can see him running for something statewide in the future.

Sounds to me that he could be worried that the Tea Party could run someone against him, so he'd prefer to wait until they've had their fangs blunted somewhat.  Because lets face it, the Tea Party will be pulling the GOP to the right in the 2014 primaries, even in places you didn't think that possible.

[Miles]

State Rep. Paul DiMarco is the first Republican legislator to launch a campaign here.

[Miles]

Another Republican is running.

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[Miles]

The expanding GOP field may add another name soon as Shelby County Commissioner Mike Vest is looking at this race.

From the article, though, he doesn't seem particularly raring to go; he's worried about fundraising and he was just elected to his current seat last year.

[smoltchanov]

The expanding GOP field may add another name soon as Shelby County Commissioner Mike Vest is looking at this race.

From the article, though, he doesn't seem particularly raring to go; he's worried about fundraising and he was just elected to his current seat last year.

The only things of interest to me in this race:

1. Will there be more then 10 Republican candidates here or not
2. How many of them will be purely "tea party"-type
3. Will there be at least 1 Democratic candidate?

[Miles]

If Vest runs, he would be the 5th Republican. Given the vast bench of Republicans here, it would still be feasible that the field could grow to 10 or more.

Mathis has already got an endorsement from FreedomWorks, so he may be the tea party guy. But, as we're seeing in primaries like Nebraska Senate, the tea party groups aren't always unanimous.

Democrats haven't run a candidate against Bachus since 1998. With this being open now, I guess  its more likely they'll forward someone.

[smoltchanov]

If Vest runs, he would be the 5th Republican. Given the vast bench of Republicans here, it would still be feasible that the field could grow to 10 or more.

Mathis has already got an endorsement from FreedomWorks, so he may be the tea party guy. But, as we're seeing in primaries like Nebraska Senate, the tea party groups aren't always unanimous.

Democrats haven't run a candidate against Bachus since 1998. With this being open now, I guess  its more likely they'll forward someone.

Thanks, Miles!

[Miles]

This Vest doesn't fit:

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[Miles]

A Some Dude, Tom Vigneulle, is getting in on the R side.

The only fundraising news I can find is Gary Palmer with $250K.

[Miles]

Dr. Chad Mathis has a good haul with $350K.

[Miles]

Erickson/Red State supports Mathis.

[morgieb]

Who's the favourite for the primary (which quite frankly is the election here, pretty much)? Tea Party dude?

[Miles]

Who's the favourite for the primary (which quite frankly is the election here, pretty much)? Tea Party dude?

Mathis has been doing well lately. I thought Paul DeMarco was in a good position at first, but I haven't heard much from him. He's the only actual legislator, so I'm surprised he's not making a point of getting/advertising any institutional endorsements.

[Miles]

'How bout that. State Sen. Scott Beason is running again after all.

[Miles]

Yellowhammer News, conservative but my go-to site for AL politics, is doing a series on this race.