Clarke, Finley advance to runoff in Alabama House District 97

Adline Clarke

Mobile, Alabama – In a short race to replace the late Dr. Yvonne Kennedy, two well known candidates advance to a runoff after Tuesday special election.

Adline Clarke and Karlos Finley will both square off to become the next State Representative to represent Alabama House District 97 as a Democrat in Montgomery. No Republicans qualified to run on the Republican ticket to challenge the Democratic nominee. This is expected to be a spirited campaign in the weeks to come.

Attorney Karlos Finley

Your “Political Beacon” had it right one more time, this race came down to the three candidate race that we projected in Adline Clarke, Karlos Finley and William Carroll. These three candidates shared the most votes in this race to represent District 97. Adline Clarke received the most votes coming in with 40% of the vote, Karlos Finley tagged in with 24% and William Carroll bounced in third place.

The most important news is that Democrats are mostly excited than Republicans, with a little over 9% of voters casted ballots in Tuesday special election, compared to 7% of Republicans that cast votes in the Republican primary for the special election of Senate District 35 in South Mobile County according to al.com.

Your Political Beacon will continue to keep you informed on this race as it unfolds. 

Voters in AL-House Dist. 97 to choose new voice Tuesday

In a hot race to replace former State Representative the late Dr. Yvonne Kennedy in Alabama House District 97 has drawn seven candidates from all backgrounds. The big question that remains is, will either candidate ever be Dr. Yvonne Kennedy? 

On Tuesday, February 26, 2013 the voters of District 97 will go to the polls and cast a vote for their fresh new voice in the Alabama House of Representatives. Polls will open from 7am-7pm.

I have been quite on this race, really haven’t found no interest in this race. The voters will have their say on Tuesday. However I still must throw my two cents in. I do believe that this is a three person race, and the two vote receivers will advance to a run-off, and then expect a rematch next year in 2014 with possible more or different candidates.

In my view this race will come down to these three candidates, Adline Clarke, William Carroll and Karlos Finely. All three of these candidates have a big name in the community, but are also backed by heavy weights that often drive elections. I will not mention those heavy weights at this time, but I will go more in dept during the run off if there is one. I always believe that it should be the people's choice and not those of a special interest or group of people that drive politics.

Other candidates vying for this seat, is Jeffery Ray Jones, Kimberly Williams Pettway, Ronnie L. Williams and Levi Wright, Jr. You can expect those candidates to do well if they can get their supporters to turn out and cast a vote.

The late Dr. Yvonne Kennedy has carried a legacy in Mobile and Montgomery for many years fighting for the people and the disadvantaged citizens of Mobile County and the State of Alabama. We will always miss Dr. Kennedy. I call this group the pack of 7 in House District 97, who will emerge as the number one guy or woman on Tuesday. No Republicans qualified to run on the Republican ticket in a surely Democratic district.

House District 97 covers a large portion around the Downtown Mobile area, if you have any questions on where you should vote, please be sure to call the local Mobile County Board of Registrars office for advice and information. It’s important and it’s your vote and voice. If you don’t vote you shouldn’t complain.

The Pack of 7 looking to fill House District 97

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has announced a special election for Alabama House District 97, which covers areas of Downtown Mobile.  The district has historically voted for Democrats in past elections, and been held by long time State Representative Dr. Yvonne Kennedy of Mobile.  This race is off to a partisan divide already.  

A pack of seven has qualified with the Democratic Party of Alabama to run for the now vacant seat in a special election to be held on Feb. 26, 2012. There is a wide range of candidates with many backgrounds, also with different views on issues that matter the most. Here is a list of candidates that has qualified.

William Carroll
Adline C. Clarke
Karlos Finley
Jeffery Ray Jones
Kimberly Williams Pettway
Ronnie L. Williams
Levi Wright, Jr. 

Dr. Yvonne Kennedy has carried a legacy in Mobile and Montgomery for many years fighting for the people and the disadvantaged citizens of Mobile County and the State of Alabama. The question to be answered is who will continue that legacy and carry a strong voice to Montgomery to represent the people and not the select few?

Already partisan politics is taking its place in this election, and it is believed by many over the past week, that the local Democratic Party wants a hand-picked candidate and not a candidate elected by the people.  One thing here on the Political Beacon, is that I have always and will continue to fight the status quo and bring you informed information. This election is important to Mobile and the African American community in general. However, we cannot afford to let personal and partisan politics take control.

Several candidates have already come out claiming that they have what it takes to carry on Dr. Yvonne Kennedy legacy in Montgomery, but do they really? Over the next few weeks we will take a fine look at these candidates and see what they really have to offer the voters and citizens of District 97.  There is an agenda, but is it an agenda for the people?

I received a phone call this weekend from a couple of concerned citizens about a recent posting on the popular social media site (FaceBook), in regards to the House District 97 race by the Mobile County Democratic Party Chairman also State Representative Napoleon Bracy in his view of the candidates running. The statement reads as follows: “As the chairman of the Mobile County Democratic Party... I wonder how some people think they can run for HD97 without having enough respect to speak with me and the executive board members of the party about this election?”

Well Mr. Chairman, in all due respect the seat belongs to the people and not one individual. Whomever feels that they can and should or want to run for public office, have the right to do so and should not have to consult with anyone, unless they so choose to do so.

Whoever presents themselves to the people as best qualified, and whomever the people elect is the people’s business and not that of partisan politics and personal agendas.

This will be an interesting race to watch unfold as the time counts down to Election Day. The Political Beacon will be here to keep you informed on what’s happening and what matters the most in this election.