Upcoming Lieutenant Governor Race in Alabama
As highlighted last week, the upcoming race for Lieutenant Governor is shaping up to be quite competitive. It features two well-known officials vying for another constitutional office.
Secretary of State Wes Allen and Secretary of Agriculture Rick Pate are the main candidates in this tight contest. Honestly, it’s really tough to pick a favorite between the two.
One interesting aspect that will emerge is their ability to fundraise. In politics, money plays a crucial role. Strong fundraising can really set one candidate apart from the other. However, those familiar with the political scene know that, at this point in the race, both candidates have less than 20% name recognition. Name ID is critical in local races, and money can help boost that recognition.
Wes Allen does have an advantage in that he will appear first on the ballot. Candidates are listed alphabetically, and it’s hard to overcome a name that starts with “A.”
On the other hand, Rick Pate’s current role as Agricultural Commissioner gives him a significant edge. Many Alabamians respect him, and he has a strong following. If he emphasizes his role as Agricultural Commissioner in his campaign ads, voters may feel a sense of familiarity, as if they’re supporting him for that position once again. There’s a good chance they would back him not just for a second term, but perhaps even a third. Speaking of farming, the recognition from the Alabama Farmers’ Union is also going to be vital in this race.
Allen has a distinctive background in Alabama politics. Growing up in Tuscaloosa and spending most of his youth there, he graduated from high school and went on to attend the University of Alabama. He has ties to the Crimson Tide and has been influenced by notable figures like Gene Stallings and Dabo Swinney.
Additionally, Wes’s father, Gerald Allen, is a well-respected figure in Tuscaloosa, having served for 40 years in various capacities as a House member and Senator.
In his early twenties, Wes moved to Troy and took a role in the Pike County Probate Judge’s Office after being appointed by Governor Bob Riley. He gained a great deal of popularity during his tenure there. After spending four years in the House, he eventually became Secretary of State.
Now, I believe his local roots will play a significant role in this election. For over two decades, I’ve observed that Alabama voters have shown a strong preference for electing candidates from their own communities. This tendency has persisted for over a century. What does it mean? Voters generally favor candidates from their region. Wes Allen, for instance, can count on solid support from two areas he’s closely connected with: Tuscaloosa County, which has a dense voter population, and the Wiregrass region. Both areas have been good to him, and he’s visibly engaged in community events, particularly around Druid City.
Speaking of local political trends, the influence of “friends and neighbors” politics has been analyzed for years. Vo Key’s book, “The Politics of the South,” discusses this phenomenon, especially in Alabama, and it’s been relevant for over 80 years. A prime example is the 1946 gubernatorial race in Alabama.
In that year, “Big Jim” Folsom won primarily due to strong support from his hometown areas. Hailing from Elba in Coffee County and moving to Kalman, he garnered over 80% of votes in Kalman and the surrounding Wiregrass areas, which ultimately secured his victory.
Interestingly, one of the first major roads he constructed around Dothan is named after his uncle, Ross Clark.
Until next time.
