By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
In most states and most congressional districts, pro-gun, anti-abortion, pro-traditional marriage, fiscal conservative candidate, Bradley Byrne (R) from Montrose would be attacked by his political opponents as “too far right” or as “too conservative.” But, this is Alabama, and you can’t be “too conservative” in an Alabama Republican Party Primary runoff election.
Taking up a theme that an Alabama Education Association (AEA) funded effort used against Byrne in the 2010 election, the Dean Young campaign is attacking Byrne’s conservative credentials and the strength of his conservative views. Young’s camp is attempting to paint Byrne as too moderate and as not conservative enough.
On Thursday, the Bradley Byrne campaign accused the Dean Young (R) from Orange Beach of engaging in personal attacks and going negative in the campaign.
Bradley Byrne said on Facebook,
“While we released a commercial today based on my background, experience and record, our opponent has chosen an alternative strategy. Dean Young and his campaign… have already begun falsely attacking me and my family. They’ve attacked my faith and religion repeatedly, and have even stooped so low to attack my youngest daughter, Laura, and her employer. They’ve lied about my record and my positions on numerous issues – but worst of all they’ve attacked my family and my faith. These types of personal attacks show how desperate Dean Young and his campaign are. Where does it stop and when will Dean Young realize voters want serious discussion about issues important to them and their families and not mean-spirited personal attacks?”
Byrne campaign manager Alex Schriver followed up on that with his own post, “Bradley Byrne is one of the greatest men I’ve ever worked for. He’s a loving father, husband, leader, servant, and follower of Christ. Attacks on his faith and family are despicable, desperate, and pathetic. Alabama deserves better.”
Byrne in a recent Politico article accused Young and his brand of staunch social conservatism as being “mean.”
The winner of the Tuesday, November 5, 2013 Republican runoff between Byrne and Young will face Democratic Primary winner Burton LeFlore from Mobile. Democratic voters selected LeFlore over Lula Albert-Kaigler with more than 70 percent of the Democratic Primary vote. LeFlore is a real estate agent.
The First Congressional District seat became vacant when Rep. Jo Bonner resigned on August 1 to take a job working for the University of Alabama System. Congressional District 1 includes all or parts of Washington, Baldwin, Mobile, Escambia, Monroe and Clarke counties.
