“Rumors and Rumblings” is a weekly feature that runs each Wednesday. It includes short nuggets of information that we glean from conversations throughout the week. Have a tip? Send it here.
1. Mack Butler, the former Etowah County GOP chairman and a longtime Board of Education member, has done an incredible job of clearing the field in House District 30 and has quickly become the odds-on favorite to replace Rep. Blaine Galliher. Yellowhammer broke the story late last week that Galliher is vacating his House seat and taking a job as Governor Bentley’s Legislative Director.
Butler has released a steady stream of endorsements on his Facebook page, including one from the area’s popular State Senator, Phil Williams. “I’ve known Mack for 15 years and can’t think of anyone more uniquely suited to fill this role, ” Sen. Williams told Yellowhammer. “Losing Blaine as a member of my delegation is tough – but if there is going to be someone new in the District 30 seat I’ll be glad if it’s Mack.” Williams went on to call Butler “conservative, tough and engaging” and a man “with the highest moral character.”
2. State Representative John Merrill has been weighing a run for Secretary of State in 2014 and a groundswell of support for his candidacy is beginning to emerge behind-the-scenes. Although this would be his first statewide run, insiders believe he would be a formidable candidate. We expect Rep. Merrill to officially announce his intentions soon.
3. Governor Robert Bentley has begun hosting private round-table luncheons with citizen leaders from around the state. He told the most recent group that he will do “whatever he can” to fight Obamacare.
4. Several high-level donors have expressed to Yellowhammer that they were taken aback by ALGOP Chairman Bill Armistead’s recent efforts to obtain advances on their Governor’s Circle commitments [Editor's note: Governor's Circle members give $10k/yr]. Armistead recently hired a fundraiser from Wisconsin who has no appreciable experience dealing with Alabama donors so fundraising for the Republican National Convention has not been going well. “We’re at least $30,000 short on fundraising for the convention,” a fundraising source told Yellowhammer.
Staff people never do well. If Shaw says she is running for SOS then Merrill may drop to Auditor.
Also, depending on how strong people look at whomever Bentley appoints to the PSC people may run for against him….or her.
Also, someone could run against Terry Dunn. He got lucky and won in a wave year. Probably could be beat by Shaw and the PSC has not term limits!!
John Merrill is a fine man and would do well in the job. I have nothing but good to say about John.
On the other hand, Samantha Shaw is Auditor and is also a fine individual who has served well as Auditor. She is limited to two terms as Auditor and I have already urged her to run for Secretary of State. She has not said YES but has not said NO.
I think that Mrs. Shaw or Mr. Merrill would be a good choice for SOS. I would hope someone good will continue the great work that current SOS Beth Chapman has done. She really transformed the office after the mess Nancy Worley left.
While we are on the 2014 rumor mill, who runs for Auditor in 2014?
SOS Chapman’s Deputy Chief of Staff Adam Thompson
I think Adam would be a great choice. He is the kind of person we need in politics. I’m going to assume that he reads this blog, so Mr. Thompson this is my strong encouragement for you to get into this race.
Does anyone else think this may be a little early for Merrill? I’ll probably support him. Just hope he can pull it together.
Yawl listen up. John Merrill is an Alabama man and he gives a RIIIIP about Alabama.
Really tho, yawl here who guverner bentley gon uppoint to the pee es see wunts twankle wins? I heard he might uppoint someone who rand in the gop primary but I’m not gon menchun names. Yellahammer should look into it.
Easily becoming my favorite YH commenter.
Agreed.
So you can raise money to buy a building but can’t raise money to send our folks to the convention? What the hell is going on up there.
Mack Butler is a pillar in the community and will be a great representative in the legislature.
Representative Merrill isn’t really much a Tea Party candidate but I do think he would do a solid job in the Secretary of State’s office. My question would be whether he’s hoping to springboard into higher office.
Cliff, do you have any thoughts on his voting record in the House?
Rep. Merrill has been a solid House GOP Caucus member. I think his voting record will reflect that he is a dependable conservative. I’d hate to lose him in the House, but he would make an excellect Secretary of State.