The observation notes for 2023 are full, so I will continue this week as well.

Our new U.S. Senator, Katie Boyd Britt, has proven to us all that she is indeed the superstar we expected. she is sensational. She certainly doesn't disappoint. If she doesn't become president first, she is on track to become one of the greatest senators in Alabama history.

In 2023, I had the opportunity to speak with a group of University of South Alabama leaders who visited the Capitol. I visit with them every year. They have a great government affairs director in Nick Loakis.

The group also included a young woman from Enterprise named Camille Bonura, who became U.S. SGA president in 2022. She is currently attending graduate school in the United States and is a graduate assistant to U.S. President Joe Bonner. Camille reminds me a lot of another young woman I met on the Enterprise 20 years ago named Katie Boyd. In fact, she's almost a clone of Katie Boyd. Both are made by Enterprise and are great. Their families are close. Katie Boyd Britt also served as Camille's babysitter and was one of her dance instructors.

Speaking of promising young people, 26-year-old Hoover/Vestavia lawyer Derek Chen is the most politically connected person I've met at such a young age. He is friends with nearly every legislator and lobbyist in the state.

One of the state's brightest and most promising young leaders is Emory Cox, an aide to Sen. Tommy Tuberville. Young Mr. Cox is from Pell City and is 28 years old. He is a graduate of Washington & Lee University. Mr. Emory is Sen. Tuberville's senior economic advisor. Before taking Tuberville's role, he served for three years as deputy director of the White House National Economic Council under President Trump's Larry Kudlow.

Governor Ivey hired veteran Tuscaloosa Legislative leader Bill Poole to serve as Treasurer, and the day went well. Bill Poole authored the state's education budget for 10 years as chairman of the House Ways and Means and Education Appropriations Committee. He sits quietly in a large private office in a Capitol suite adjacent to the governor's office, drafting the state's budget.

Although he has held public office for decades, he seeks anonymity and dislikes the spotlight and publicity. he is still young. You may not have heard the last of Bill Poole politically.

The brightest star in the university president's department is by far Jacksonville State University President Dr. Don Killingsworth. Longtime leaders on the Jax State Board of Directors are so proud of Dr. Killingsworth that they could burst a button. Hear President Randy Jones and JSU attorney and state political veteran Charlie Waldrep brag about Don Killingsworth. Don served as a lobbyist for Jax State for over 10 years. He was appointed acting president in October 2019 and became official president in 2020.

Under his leadership, they committed to more than $200 million in campus infrastructure improvements. Jacksonville also has a very talented and nationally acclaimed football coach in Rich Rodriguez. They have made a great run under his guidance.

Calhoun County has a very promising and personable county commissioner named Lee Patterson. He represents the Jacksonville area of ​​Calhoun County. He and his wife, Susan, are from Calhoun County and he lives on the family farm about two miles north of Jacksonville. Mr. Lee is the president-elect of the Alabama Board Association. He is scheduled to become ACCA president in August 2024, succeeding Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight.

Lee County's next probate judge will be a talented young man named Jere Colley Jr. Jere is an attorney in Opelika. Lee County is a Republican bailiwick. Young Jere Cory won the Republican nomination unopposed. This is a testament to the respect and popularity of Jere and his family. He will follow in the footsteps of popular 18-year veteran Republican probate judge Bill English.

I have known young Jere Colley all my life. His mom and dad, Dr. Jere and Judy Colley, are lifelong friends of mine. We grew up together in Troy. My good friend Jere Sr. is a well-respected retired veterinarian in Opelika.

Veteran Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle is on track to seek re-election to a fourth term as mayor of Alabama's most prosperous and largest city this year. Tommy Battle has directed and been an integral part of the great story of Huntsville, Alabama.

2024 is going to be a fun year in politics. Our presidential party primary is right around the corner – his March 5th to be exact.

see you next week.

Steve Flowers' weekly column appears in more than 60 Alabama newspapers. He has served in the state Legislature for his 16 years and can be contacted at: [email protected].