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. 

Republicans lights are going out in Alabama

In many reports around the state and coming from reliable sources several Alabama Republicans may be in a little trouble if you look at it in a real sense and not just politics. A money flow from former Alabama Governor Riley to Alabama House Speaker Hubbard could cause Alabama Anti-Gambling Activist to face a huge tax burden. 

We all knew that the Republican Party is full of hypocrisy and full of lies and cheating. We have learn more and more that the Republican party have self interest and the interest of the wealthy at hand and not the common Alabamians that strive to make it every day, or those who work hard to earn their money and get nothing in return. Here is a look at the big breaking and disturbing news that could one day make it’s case in the courtroom.

A. Eric Johnston
One of Alabama's most prominent anti-gambling activists could face a substantial tax burden because about $1 million in campaign contributions were routed through his non-profit organization to companies owned by House Speaker Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn), sources tell Legal Schnauzer.

A. Eric Johnston, director of Citizens for a Better Alabama (CBA), says former Governor Bob Riley funneled the money through CBA to two companies owned by Hubbard, a long-time Riley ally. This breaking revelation came in a report a couple of days ago from Bill Britt at Alabama Political Reporter. Britt hints at a rift between Johnston and his "pro family" organization on the one hand, with Riley and Hubbard on the other--even though all have been seen as prominent conservative voices against gambling.

The source of the rift is not clear from Britt's article. But sources say Johnston's group might lose its tax-exempt status because it accepted funds that wound up with Hubbard's companies. That could leave Johnston with a sizable bill from the IRS, one he did not see coming. "People in Montgomery know that Eric Johnston is sweating," one source says.

Did Riley and Hubbard combine to double cross Johnston, exposing him to major tax liability? Britt's article hints at that: How did then-Governor Bob Riley and Chairman of the ALGOP Mike Hubbard route almost a million dollars in Republican campaign contributions through a nonprofit and back to a Hubbard owned company? Um, sounds mighty fishy don’t it?

“Someone from the governor’s [Bob Riley’s] office would call and say you’re getting a check for $200,000 and you’re going to get a bill at the same time from [Mike] Hubbard’s deal and you need to pay that, that is what that money is for.” Those are the words of A. Eric Johnston a Birmingham-based attorney and anti-gambling advocate who explains the operational relationship between Bob Riley, Mike Hubbard and his 501c(4), Citizens for a Better Alabama.

Mike Hubbard was the politician who was supposed to bring honest government to Alabama? Sure doesn't sound like it from Britt's article: The picture Johnston paints appears to be a brazen orchestration of campaign funds by a sitting governor to benefit his most faithful ally, Mike Hubbard.

Citizens for Better Alabama (CBA) was a Birmingham-based, tax-exempt group that was the public face of opposition to Sweet Home Alabama, and to shut down legal casinos operated at VictoryLand and Country Crossings. According to archived versions of its website, the CBA – run by A. Eric Johnston – has “been an advocate for the family since 1991.”

How did Johnston get into a potential tax mess? It appears he made the mistake of trusting Bob Riley:

Johnston said he had been fighting gambling for years without much help. “We really never had a knight on a white horse. . . . We just had to fight it in legislature and kill the bills.” But according to Johnston in the last year of Bob Riley’s last term as governor that all change when the governor decided to fight gambling in the state.

According to Johnston, when Riley became interested in ridding the state of bingo gambling he was contacted by the Governor who said he wanted to help Johnston raise money.

“I don’t know why he [Riley] decided to do it [fight gambling] other than it was a propitious time to do it,” said Johnston. “Whatever he was doing was good. He was stopping illegal gambling.”

Riley's actions might not turn to be so good for Johnston's wallet. Here's why: At the time it seemed that Johnston had found his white knight. But there was a problem, rather than making a partnership with a crusading knight, it seems Johnston had unknowingly entered into a potential devil’s bargain.

After aligning with Riley and Hubbard in 2010, CBA raised and spent over $1 million after never taking in over $50,000 in a year ever before.

Based on 2010 campaign finance and other records, the CBA was a crucial conduit for passing campaign cash through the 501c(4) into a potentially lucrative aspect of Mike Hubbard’s financial bottom-line. . . .
Johnston said the money that his organization received was almost entirely for advertising, he said, “Mike was in that business and I thought it appropriate for him to handle it.”

Who was behind this financial shell game? Johnston points a finger squarely at Bob Riley. From Britt's report:

Money was being directed by Bob Riley, who told the head of the 501c(4) how the money was to be spent. Not just the large amounts but even the so-called small donations. “I would be informed by the governor’s office that I would be getting a check for 2 or 3 thousand dollars and we would have ad bills that cost that much,” said Johnston, “and that money would be for those bills.”

According to Johnston, “We ran a zero balance campaign. Whatever money came in was spent, a lot of it was coordinated through Mike Hubbard’s company.”

The Britt article references tax issues, but their implications are not clear:

Johnston supplied “Alabama Political Reporter” with a copy of CBA’s 990 IRS fillings. However, the document we received is different than the one that Johnston filed with the IRS, according to a comparison on Guide Star.

On the 990 fillings, Johnston does not itemize the over $700,000 he received from Hubbard’s Network PAC and Bob Riley’s Gov PAC. The rest of the money primarily originated with longtime big-money Bob Riley donors. Johnston, as the sole member of CBA, said, “I didn’t raise any money.”

I didn't raise any money? That sounds like the words of a man who is trying to say, "They should pay the IRS bill, not me."

And Britt's report raises all sorts of questions. Did the Riley/Hubbard/Johnston scheme violate tax laws, campaign-finance laws? Did donors know their campaign contributions were going to Mike Hubbard's companies? Could this constitute fraud, money laundering, or other criminal acts under state and/or federal laws? Could Eric Johnston wind up serving as a witness against Riley and Hubbard?

As a way to un-ruffle feathers, and fend off a potential investigation, will Bob Riley's big-money donors bail Johnston out of a jam? Based on what I've been told from individuals familiar with Riley's business practices, Johnston probably shouldn't count on it.

Don’t seems like there are friends in the Republican Party, after the selected few gotten what they desired and turned around a stab you in the back. After bringing this to your attention, I now wonder will federal prosecutors ever go after these low down filthy dogs. They crucified former Gov. Don Siegleman for no cause, but they try and run away with their dirty tricks and actions. Alabamians that care should burn up your phones and emails, and give the U.S. Postal Service some business by writing letters seeking an investigation into this matter.

It’s a Wake up Call for Republicans in Alabama; Reclaiming Alabama in 2014 is Democrats Priority

Republican shouldn't be so happy

With the national elections now over, the focus turns to the Mid-terms where there will be many more offices up for election from local County races to U.S. Senate races. We all remember that in 2010 Republicans swept majority in many races even to take back control of congress. Well all I have to say to the Republicans is they shouldn’t be so happy, but instead be worried. It’s not their majority to hang on to for long. All of their political outraged and extreme politics is about to blow up in their faces, and you will see many long faces with shameful elephant tears.

On Tuesday I laughed, yes indeed I laughed all night till I fell asleep, and it was a laughter of joy for what America said on election night 2012, I laughed at that donkey that danced in the streets across the country, not because he won and declared victory, but because he defeated the extreme huge elephant that tried to destroy this country and our rights to fair democracy.

Oh yeah the extremist has been trying hard with much hate and determination to end the presidency of our great President Barack Obama, they vowed with heart to make him a one term President, but it failed.  Oh they really showed their true colors, whom they really are what they really believe.  We have learned that the Republicans want to suppress the vote as they did in the 1950’s or as far back as we can remember, we know that they don’t want Latinos and Hispanics participating in the election process, they don’t even want them in this country, they have no love for women rights, and they want the poor and middle class to break their backs for the wealthy. The Republicans don’t want the wealthiest Americans to pay more in taxes to support this country. That must change!

Quoted from the Al.com, Alabama Democratic Party chairman Mark Kennedy declared President Barack Obama's re-election on Tuesday as "a great victory not just for Democrats but for us all." Kennedy said that Americans, in rejecting Republican challenger Mitt Romney, "embraced building a bright future for all, instead of just for a few, and rejected the ugly politics of division."

After Tuesday elections it time for minorities, such as Blacks, Latinos, Hispanics, Women, College students, Poor and Middle Class citizens in Alabama to take a stand against this extreme political agenda that is trying to raid us of our rights. If you don’t take a stand now they will put a neck chocker on us and drag us and we will forever be in poverty and under the table. Well if we don’t want that to last it’s time for us to stand up and fight for what we believe. 

Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy also believes that the returns on Tuesday showed a signal of change is on the way.  “Republican leaders have abdicated their responsibilities and focused their time and energy on petty politics and political games.” He told al.com.

Yes Democrats was eager to win Alabama back on Tuesday, especially in Jefferson County where Democrats sweep every judicial race on the ballot.  Republicans goals are to take every office they can from us Democrats as possible any way they can.

 When I look at the political map after Tuesday elections, there are some counties in Alabama that will be in play in 2014, not only in play but we as Democrats must turn out the vote in a larger number in 2014. We was close you all, I mean close but the get out the vote effort must be much more serious in 2014.

Below I listed a list of Counties and who we did and what we lost by, in many of these counties when I see 40% or more in election returns it shows strength, and I think of those votes that are not counted because they didn’t vote. If we turn the votes out in a larger number in these counties we have a chance to do some damage in 2014. The following county has been declared my hot bed for all blue alerts.  If we turn out the vote in these counties we can take back Alabama in 2014.

1.       Mobile, did you think Mobile would be on this list? 45% for DEMS fell short by only 10%

2.       Monroe, 46% for DEMS fell short by only 833 votes

3.       Clarke, 46% lost this county only 1,146 votes

4.       Jefferson, 47% lost this county by 6%

5.       Chambers, 47% lost this county by only 743 votes

6.       Pickens, 46% lost this county by only 671 votes

7.       Coosa County, 42% lost this county by 849 votes

8.       Butler County, 46% lost this county by 714 votes

9.       Pike County, 43% lost this county by 1,930 votes

10.   Tuscaloosa, 41% lost this county by 9%

11.   Madison, this county is still in play losing it by 10%

There is some work to be done and the work should begin today as you read this post. Democrats must focus on one theme, unity and getting out the vote. Voter registration will be a key to a victory in these counties for Democrats.

We have to adopt a new voter education strategy to educate minorities, blacks, women, college students, poor and the middle class working families in Alabama. Traditional politics must be the thing of the past and we must move to a more moderate style of politics in Alabama, but in those democrat strong holds we have to be more progressive and dominate.  We have to establish an identity in all areas of the state and especially these counties mention above. Showing interest in the voters and citizens in these counties is a must, like more one on one campaigning, door to door and political education.

Turning out the vote in 2014 is our key for success. Alabama Republicans leaders are no different from those of the national GOP and their counterparts. These big elephants have endorsed every extreme Republican agenda and they want to impose it on the citizens of Alabama in a secret way.

Since taking control of the legislature in Alabama in 2010 the Republicans have not made any serious if any attempts for bi-partisan leadership to get the most important issues solved for Alabama. Instead they cut services for needed families, working families, education, and left our state employees with less. They cut jobs and we are losing more jobs on top of the jobs they have cut.  They want to paint this serious picture if they are getting the job done, and that we are better off under their leadership but we are not we are worst. Democrats, women, minorities, poor and middle class families we are not un-educated and we need to prove that in 2014.

Together if we stand as one and fight together we can take Alabama back from the extreme right wing party. Visit our FaceBook page and Like us www.facebook.com/ReclaimAlabama2014