The results are in

Last week poll asked; Who do you think will win the Democratic Party primary for President?

Barack Obama - 54%
Hillary Clinton – 14%
Not Sure – 12%
Deadlock Tie – 18%

Alabamians have already had their say in the presidential primaries back in February; they chose Barak Obama on the democratic side of the ballot. But this past week I have post a poll online to see what’s on the voters mind in regards to the remaining 10 primaries to be held before the conventions. The republicans choose Sen. John McCain as their nominee, but the democrats are still battling it out. Here are the results of this week past polling here on the South Alabama Political Beacon, you’ll said that you think Sen. Obama would win the Democratic primary over Sen. Clinton by 54% to her devastating 14%. And 12% of you said you are not sure with 18% saying it will be a deadlock. Well over the next couple of months we will watch the Democratic Primaries to see if you all are right with your prediction of the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries. Stay tuned as we provide continuing coverage to this national race.

Chancey & Hornady enters race for Alabama PSC president

The Republican race up to three candidates now for PSC President

Matt Chancey, who has worked behind the scenes on political issues and campaigns in Montgomery and Washington, entered his first political race Thursday when he signed up to run as a Republican for president of the Alabama Public Service Commission. "My goal is to put 'the public' back into the Public Service Commission," Chancey said. "The Public Service Commission has been asleep at the switch and primarily serves big utilities — no average consumers." Chancey is a native of Enterprise, who now lives in Chelsea and works in communications and marketing.

Former PSC staffer Jack Hornady of Montgomery and former republican candidate for PSC place 2 in 2006 has entered into the PSC president race also as a republican. His candidacy puts the race at three qualified candidates for the republican primary. Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh former State Republican Party chair is also running as a republican in the June 3rd primary.

State School Board race for District 1 seems to be headed for the general election

Rev. Kenyon Berry who is an ordained Elder with the local A.O.H Church of God, Inc. in headquartered in Mobile, AL and the Asst. Director of Brokered Transportation has qualified as a democrat for the post, on Wednesday the State Republican Party has verified that current Board Representative Randy McKinney will seek re-election no other republican or democrat has express interest in this race as of today, it may change on tomorrow as qualifying comes to an end.

We expect this to be a heated race on the local level between the two over the proposed oversight takeover attempt by the legislature, the double dipping ban and the handling of the Bishop State Community College situation. McKinney just lost a recent special election to fill a vacant Senate Seat 32 left open by Bradley Byrne of Montrose in 2007, in that race McKinney was back by the Gov. Riley but it didn’t pull any weight. We will watch to see if this race turns into a tossup.

Baschab and McMillan will not run for re-election this year for Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals

Candidates are j umping in at the last minute

Two judges on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, including the state's longest serving appellate court judge McMillan and Baschab, announced Wednesday they won't seek re-election this year. Lawyers and judges across the state are now taking a last-minute look at running for state Court of Criminal Appeals which qualifying ends tomorrow April 4, 2008 at 5pm for both political parties in Alabama.

"I think 24 years at one job is sufficient," McMillan said and "I want to travel. I want to have less stress in my life. I want to play with my new redheaded grandbaby," Baschab, 60, said Wednesday. As these two exits from the State Court in 2008, we will be bringing you in-depth coverage on the two nominees this fall that seeks to replace these two judges.

A brief look at candidates and potential candidates:

Beth Kellum, was the first republican to sign up for Baschab's Place 2 seat at the Republican Party. Attorney Chris Mixon of Birmingham has now added his name to the list as a republican. Former Montgomery County District Judge Lucie McLemore is the first Republican to sign up for McMillan's Place 1 seat, and she was followed quickly by Jefferson County Circuit Judge Teresa Petelos.

Mobile attorney Jim Zeigler, a former member of the Alabama Public Service Commission and a former candidate for the state Supreme Court, said Wednesday he is considering entering one of the appeals court races.

On the Democratic Side:

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Clyde Jones has qualified for Place 1. Jones said he has spent 28 years as a prosecutor, criminal defense lawyer or trial judge handling criminal cases, and he is ready to take the next step in his career by moving to the Court of Criminal Appeals. "It's right up my alley," he said. No one has signed up yet for Place 2, but several people have indicated interest.

Could you soon stop paying State sales tax on food?

Both Senate and House Committees in Alabama Legislature passed similar bills to remove the 4 percent state sales tax from food on Wednesday, saving consumers an estimated $320 million a year. The bills would make up the revenue loss by ending taxpayers' ability to deduct federal taxes paid from their state income taxes, which would raise an estimated $345 million. The bills could go the full House and Senate as early as next week.

I personal think that the members of these committees are beginning to do something for the citizens of Alabama this legislative session. This really would help our families across the State of Alabama during an economic struggle.