By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Wednesday, March 19, the powerful Business Council of Alabama (BCA) announced that their political action committee (ProgressPAC) was endorsing an incumbent laden first round slate of candidates containing few surprises. The powerful business group endorsed four more years for Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R). Similarly ProgressPAC also endorsed Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey (R), Attorney General Luther Strange (R), Agricultural Commissioner John McMillan (R), and state Treasurer Young Boozer (R).
In the crowded race for the open state auditor position, ProgressPAC has endorsed Adam Thompson (R).
Adam Thompson said, “I am honored to receive the endorsement one of the largest and most active business organizations in our state. BCA represents thousands of Alabama businesses and supports pro-business candidates for public office. I am committed to implementing good, common sense business principles in state government and the State Auditor’s Office.”
Thompson is currently the Chief of Staff for Alabama Secretary of State Jim Bennett (R). Thompson previously served in the Auditor’s office under Beth Chapman (R).
ProgressPAC also endorsed state Representative John Merrill (R) from Tuscaloosa in the very competitive Secretary of State’s race.
The Alabama affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce seems satisfied with the Republican Super Majorities in both Houses of the state legislature as is. The BCA endorsed both Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard (R) from Auburn and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R) from Anniston.
BCA endorsed several Senate incumbents in what appears at this point to be competitive races. These include: Sen. Gerald Dial (R) from Lineville, Sen. Phil Williams (R) from Rainbow City, Sen. Tom Whatley (R) from Auburn, and Sen. Jimmy Holley (R) from Elba.
Senator Phil Williams (R) from Rainbow City said on Facebook, “Campaign update: I’m humbled and very proud that I have been endorsed for re-election to the Alabama State Senate by the Business Council of Alabama! The BCA is one the most conservative pro-growth organizations in the state and I’m proud that the accomplishments that I’ve been a part of as a Republican legislator have resulted in their support.”
In the open Senate District 8, the BCA has endorsed Steve Livingston (R). In Senate District 29 ProgressPAC endorsed Melinda McClendon (R) over incumbent Senator Harri Anne Smith (I). In the open Senate District 30 the business group endorsed Clyde Chambliss (R). No Senate Democrats were endorsed by BCA at this point.
In the House, most of the endorsements went to incumbents, Democrats as well as Republicans.
Rep. Mack Butler (R) from Rainbow City said, “I’m very proud to Announce that I have been Endorsed by the Business Council of Alabama in my quest for re-election to State House District 30! I’m very proud to stand with them as a pro business member of the House of Representatives.”
In House District 16 BCA endorsed Kyle South (R) over both former Jefferson County Commissioner Bobby Humphryes (R) and incumbent Daniel Boman (D). In the open district 44 BCA endorsed Danny Garrett over Joe Freeman and John Amari in the Republican Primary. In the open House District 73, BCA endorsed Matt Fridy (R).
In the open House District 38 race BCA endorsed Randy Price (R). In the open House District 62 Rich Wingo (R) received BCA’s endorsement. In House District 24 BCA endorsed Nathaniel Ledbetter (R). In House District 27 the group endorsed Will Ainsworth (R).
For State Board of Education BCA has endorsed Barry Sadler (R) for District 2 over incumbent Betty Peters (R). BCA has endorsed Cynthia McCarty (R) for District 6 and incumbent Mary Scott Hunter in District 8. BCA has been very vocal during this session about defending the controversial common core standards and that charge has been led by State School Board member Mary Scott Hunter (R). State School Board member Betty Peters meanwhile has been an outspoken opponent of the Common Core standards.
Mary Scott Hunter wrote, “I was honored to receive the endorsement of the Business Council of Alabama this week. I am grateful for the support and encouragement of our business leaders who are unrelenting in their efforts to improve Alabama’s business climate and create job opportunity for Alabamians.”
For Congress, ProgressPAC is supporting Senator Jeff Sessions (who has no Republican or Democrat opponent) and all six of the House incumbents. They have not yet made an endorsement in the open Sixth Congressional District.
The first round of endorsements for the 2014 campaign cycle were made during a board of directors meeting in Montgomery.
ProgressPAC Chairman Marty Abroms said, “We have a tremendous first round of pro-business candidates we will be supporting as we move into the 2014 election cycle. We look forward to working with these and other candidates as we consider additional endorsements in the weeks to come.” Marty Abroms is a Florence accountant with the firm of Abroms and Associates.
BCA is Alabama’s exclusive affiliate to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.
A full list of the first round of 2014 ProgressPAC-Endorsed Candidates follows:
Constitutional Officers
Governor – Robert Bentley
Lt. Gov. – Kay Ivey
Attorney General – Luther Strange
Ag. Commissioner – John McMillan
Treasurer – Young Boozer
Auditor – Adam Thompson
Secretary of State – John Merrill
Senate Candidates
Senate District 2 Bill Holtzclaw
Senate District 3 Arthur Orr
Senate District 4 Paul Bussman
Senate District 5 Greg Reed
Senate District 8 Steve Livingston
Senate District 9 Clay Scofield
Senate District 10 Phil Williams
Senate District 12 Del Marsh
Senate District 13 Gerald Dial
Senate District 14 Cam Ward
Senate District 15 Slade Blackwell
Senate District 16 Jabo Waggoner
Senate District 21 Gerald Allen
Senate District 25 Dick Brewbaker
Senate District 27 Tom Whatley
Senate District 29 Melinda McClendon
Senate District 30 Clyde Chambliss
Senate District 31 Jimmy Holley
Senate District 32 Trip Pittman
Senate District 34 Rusty Glover
Senate District 35 Bill Hightower
State Board of Education
District 2 – Barry Sadler
District 6 – Cynthia McCarty
District 8 – Mary Scott Hunter
House Candidates
House District 2 Lynn Greer
House District 4 Micky Hammon
House District 5 Dan Williams
House District 6 Phil Williams
House District 7 Ken Johnson
House District 8 Terri Collins
House District 9 Ed Henry
House District 10 Mike Ball
House District 11 Randall Shedd
House District 12 Mac Buttram
House District 13 Bill Roberts
House District 14 Richard Baughn
House District 15 Allen Farley
House District 16 Kyle South
House District 17 Mike Millican
House District 20 Howard Sanderford
House District 21 Jim Patterson
House District 22 Wayne Johnson
House District 24 Nathaniel Ledbetter
House District 25 Mac McCutcheon
House District 26 Kerry Rich
House District 27 Will Ainsworth
House District 30 Mack Butler
House District 31 Mike Holmes
House District 34 David Standridge
House District 35 Steve Dean
House District 36 Randy Wood
House District 38 Randy Price
House District 40 K.L. Brown
House District 41 Mike Hill
House District 42 Kurt Wallace
House District 44 Danny Garrett
House District 45 Dickie Drake
House District 47 Jack Williams
House District 48 Jim Carns
House District 49 April Weaver
House District 51 Allen Treadaway
House District 55 Rod Scott
House District 58 Oliver Robinson
House District 61 Alan Harper
House District 62 Rich Wingo
House District 63 Bill Poole
House District 64 Harry Shiver
House District 65 Elaine Beech
House District 66 Alan Baker
House District 71 AJ McCampbell
House District 73 Matt Fridy
House District 74 Dimitri Polizos
House District 75 Reed Ingram
House District 79 Mike Hubbard
House District 80 Lesley Vance
House District 81 Mark Tuggle
House District 82 Pebblin Warren
House District 86 Paul Lee
House District 87 Donnie Chesteen
House District 88 Paul Beckman
House District 89 Alan Boothe
House District 90 Charles Newton
House District 91 Barry Moore
House District 92 Mike Jones
House District 93 Steve Clouse
House District 94 Joe Faust
House District 95 Steve McMillan
House District 96 Randy Davis
House District 97 Adline Clarke
House District 99 James Buskey
House District 100 Victor Gaston
House District 101 Chris Pringle
House District 102 Jack Williams
House District 104 Margie Wilcox
House District 105 David Sessions
*Congressional Candidates
U.S. Senate – Jeff Sessions
First District – Bradley Byrne
Second District – Martha Roby
Third District – Mike Rogers
Fourth District – Robert Aderholt
Fifth District – Mo Brooks
Seventh District – Terri Sewell
