AUBURN, Ala. (EETV)- Alabama’s gubernatorial primary election is just a little over a week away, and the Republican field is quite large with four candidates competing for the nomination.
Kay Ivey is the current governor, having served in the position for a little over a year. Ivey took over following the resignation of former Gov. Robert Bentley. Throughout the campaign Ivey has emphasized her efforts to “steady the ship of state” following the tumultuous scandals surrounding Bentley’s administration. Additionally, Ivey has focused on job creation and education improvement efforts.
Tommy Battle is the current mayor of Alabama’s third largest city, Huntsville. Battle has served in that position since 2008. Throughout the campaign Battle has focused on his success at brining jobs to the Rocket City, touting his efforts at creating roughly 10,000 jobs in the Northern part of the state. Battle has claimed that the Ivey administration has been protecting what he calls “the swamp” in Montgomery, using the popular frame coined by President Donald Trump to describe career Washington DC political leaders.
Scott Dawson is an evangelical leader and author from the Birmingham area. Dawson has never held or run for elected office prior to this campaign. Dawson has focused much of his campaign on moral issues, touting his evangelical values. Additionally, Dawson would like to impose term limits for legislators and the end to the controversial Common Core curriculum standards. Dawson has received endorsements from popular radio hosts Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey.
Bill Hightower is a businessman and state senator from Mobile. Hightower has served in the legislature since 2013 where he currently serves as the Chair of the Constitution, Ethics & Elections Committee. Hightower has coined his campaign platform “Alabama First” modeling his slogan after the “America First” phrase used often by President Donald Trump. Hightower’s agenda includes banning funding earmarks, banning sanctuary cities and working to combat the opioid crisis.
