U.S. Rep. Artur Davis , D-Birmingham, sure sounds like a guy who intends to be the next governor of Alabama. Davis has yet to announce a gubernatorial bid. But during a recent interview in his Washington office, he admitted he's thinking hard about the 2010 race.
The race was a landmark in Alabama politics because Hunt became the first Republican elected since Reconstruction. Davis would be the first African-American elected governor in Alabama.
"It's going to be a very contested race" for both parties, Davis said. "We need somebody to step forward with a vision for Alabama, and I believe I have that vision."
Davis would likely face Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom , a former governor, in a showdown for the Democratic nomination. Leading Republican candidates could include Alabama Attorney General Troy King, Tim James and Bradley Byrne , head of the state's two-year college system. Among that field, Folsom and King have the greatest name recognition statewide, and may also claim the strongest support within their respective parties. But Davis, who has positioned himself as a moderate Democrat, named Byrne as perhaps the toughest competitor.
Davis "is very bright, he works hard, and he certainly has laid the groundwork" to make a strong bid for governor, said David Lanoue, a University of Alabama political science professor. Lanoue said Davis would need a strong turnout from black voters to be successful. That means his political fate could be tied to Obama, who thumped Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Alabama Democratic primary Feb. 5.
