AGP Executive Report

Election Push: Mobile Democrats made a final get-out-the-vote push, saying enthusiasm must translate into ballots as Alabama heads to the polls Tuesday. Governor’s Race: Doug Jones and Tommy Tuberville are making their closing pitches, with Jones calling for a data-center pause, Medicaid expansion and a state lottery, while Tuberville emphasizes public safety and tougher sentencing. Magic City Classic Shooting: One person was killed and eight wounded near Legion Field. Tuberville vowed a tough response if elected governor, while police continued investigating. Prison Construction: State Sen. Chris Elliott sharply criticized Gov. Kay Ivey’s handling of the delayed, over-budget Elmore County prison project, renewing calls for an investigation. Congressional Fight: Rep. Shomari Figures is battling to hold Alabama’s redrawn 2nd District, a closely watched race drawing heavy outside spending.

Public Safety and Campaigning: One person was killed and eight wounded in a shooting near Birmingham’s Legion Field after the Magic City Classic. Police detained one person for questioning and recovered multiple firearms. Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville responded by promising maximum sentences for offenders and greater coordination with law enforcement if elected. Prison Oversight: State Sen. Chris Elliott accused Gov. Kay Ivey of failing to explain delays and cost overruns at the Elmore County prison, saying lawmakers should have chosen a construction process with stronger safeguards. Ethics Commission: The commission referred a case involving Marion Mayor Dexter Hinton to a district attorney after finding cause to believe he violated the Ethics Act; the referral is not a criminal charge, and the commission’s minutes do not detail the alleged conduct. Election Day: Alabama voters head to the polls Tuesday in the governor’s race between Tuberville and Democrat Doug Jones, alongside statewide, legislative and local contests.

Magic City Classic: One person was killed and eight others injured in a shooting near Birmingham’s Legion Field after the annual HBCU football game. Police recovered several firearms and detained one person for questioning. House Battlegrounds: Alabama’s 2nd District is among 16 tossup U.S. House races that could decide control of Congress. Democrat Shomari Figures faces Republican Rhett Marques in the redrawn district, where Black voters make up about 40% of the voting-age population. State Campaigns: Republican Josh Pendergrass is attacking incumbent Democrat Kelvin Lawrence over felony charges in a new ad in House District 69; Lawrence has pleaded not guilty. Voters will also choose between Doug Jones and Tommy Tuberville for governor on Tuesday. Prison Plans: Gov. Kay Ivey is rejecting calls to pause Alabama’s second new prison, while House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter is urging an investigation into the project. Medical Cannabis: Two more dispensaries are expected to open, in Bessemer and Birmingham, bringing the statewide total to five.

Election Countdown: Alabamians vote Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the governor’s race between Doug Jones and Tommy Tuberville, congressional and local contests, and four statewide amendments. Democrat Shomari Figures is fighting to keep Alabama’s redrawn 2nd District; a forecaster now rates his race against Republican Rhett Marques a toss-up. Prison Politics: Gov. Kay Ivey is moving ahead with a second new prison despite House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter’s call for a pause. Ledbetter is also seeking an investigation into problems with the Ivey Correctional Complex project. Medical Cannabis: Two more dispensaries are expected to open in Bessemer and Birmingham next week, bringing Alabama’s total to five. The DEA has also granted federal registrations to more than 900 dispensaries across seven states, including Alabama. Policy Debate: Alabama candidates sparred in the state’s first statewide debate in 16 years, with data centers and utility rates among the issues.

Election Day: Alabama voters head to the polls Nov. 3 to choose a governor, a U.S. senator, congressional and state lawmakers, and decide four constitutional amendments. Gov. Kay Ivey urged turnout as Doug Jones and Tommy Tuberville make their final pitches; a closely watched District 2 race between Shomari Figures and Rhett Marques is also drawing heavy spending. Prison Oversight: House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter is urging Ivey to pause a second prison project and investigate cost and construction problems at the Kay Ivey Correctional Complex. Ivey has rejected calls to halt the work, while the Escambia prison plan advances. Voter Privacy: A new Alabama law keeps personal phone numbers and email addresses out of voter lists distributed by the state, following concerns that registration details were being used for unsolicited political messages. Economic Development: Hyundai plans to invest $450 million at its Montgomery plant, while Ivey announced $9.3 million in state funding to improve industrial sites.

Prison Oversight: House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter wants work paused on the Escambia County prison and an investigation into problems at the Kay Ivey Correctional Complex. Gov. Kay Ivey is pushing back, sharpening a dispute over prison costs and oversight. Election Countdown: Alabama votes Tuesday in a governor’s race between Tommy Tuberville and Doug Jones, legislative contests and four constitutional amendments. Lieutenant governor candidates Phillip Ensler and John Wahl clashed in a Huntsville debate. Toss-Up Race: Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District contest between Shomari Figures and Rhett Marques has tightened, drawing heavy campaign spending and national attention. Consumer Protection: Alabama joined the FTC and 20 other states in suing Dollar General over alleged customer overcharges. The company denies disregarding shoppers’ affordability needs.

Prison Fight: House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter is demanding an investigation into the troubled Kay Ivey Correctional Complex and a pause on a second prison. Gov. Kay Ivey is pushing ahead: the state authority approved a $676 million construction contract for the Escambia County facility. Election Countdown: Alabama voters head to the polls Tuesday, with four statewide constitutional amendments on the ballot. The governor’s race also features a sharp fundraising gap: Tommy Tuberville has raised $17.7 million, nearly $11 million more than Doug Jones. Close Races: The 2nd Congressional District contest between Shomari Figures and Rhett Marques is now rated a toss-up. In a rare statewide debate, candidates clashed over data centers and utility rates—issues with growing stakes for Alabama communities. Consumer Protection: Alabama has joined 19 states in a lawsuit accusing Dollar General of overcharging customers, including by charging more than advertised.

Voting Rights and AL-2: A Dothan rally for Rep. Shomari Figures drew hundreds, as Black voters mobilize in a newly redrawn district. Polls show the race against Republican Rhett Marques within the margin of error, and forecasters have moved it to a toss-up. Governor’s Race: Tommy Tuberville and Doug Jones are making final pitches before Tuesday’s election. Tuberville says voters should have the final say on a lottery and casinos; Jones has proposed a lottery referendum among other affordability measures. Lieutenant Governor: John Wahl and Phillip Ensler clashed in their televised debate over health care, red-flag laws, school choice and Ensler’s voting history. State Law: A tech industry group is suing to block Alabama’s app-store age-verification law, arguing it violates First Amendment rights. The law is set to take effect Jan. 1. Consumer Protection: Alabama joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging shoppers were charged more at checkout than advertised prices.

Governor’s Race: With Election Day on Nov. 3, Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Tommy Tuberville are making their final pitches to voters. A review of Meta ads in Alabama found campaigns and political groups using identity, division and fear to shape the contest; child-care costs are another pressure point, with families needing nearly $124,000 a year to afford full-time care for a toddler. Congressional Contest: The race between Democrat Shomari Figures and Republican Rhett Marques has shifted to a toss-up, while both parties ramp up spending in the final stretch. Space Academy Bid: Tennessee has formally entered the competition to host the proposed U.S. Space Academy, citing its aerospace corridor and proximity to Huntsville; Alabama is also considered a strong contender. State Lawsuit: An Alabama construction company is seeking at least $461 million from the State Department, alleging it reneged on payment for pandemic-era cost overruns on embassy projects.

Election 2026: With Alabama’s Nov. 3 vote days away, Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted the closely watched AL-2 race between Rep. Shomari Figures and Rhett Marques to a toss-up. Tommy Tuberville and Doug Jones are stepping up campaign spending, while Huntsville hosts Alabama’s first statewide general-election debate in 16 years, featuring lieutenant governor candidates Phillip Ensler and John Wahl. State Policy: Alabama voters will decide a constitutional amendment on student-initiated prayer in public schools; separately, the state approved Ten Commandments posters for schools starting in January. Local Government: Hoover officials say a newly discovered 2024 cybersecurity audit found serious weaknesses, prompting a broad review and more than $600,000 in technology purchases. State Finances: Alabama sold $190 million in bonds to help finance the new Escambia County prison. Consumer Protection: Alabama joined the FTC and 19 states in suing Dollar General, alleging customers were charged more at checkout than advertised.

Election Countdown: Alabama voters head to the polls Nov. 3 to choose a governor, other statewide officials and all 140 state lawmakers, plus decide four constitutional amendments. Secretary of State Wes Allen advises voters to check sample ballots and polling places; polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and photo ID is required. Campaign Issues: A recent poll found more than two-thirds of respondents named inflation and cost of living as their top concern. Republican gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville, meanwhile, questioned the value of some four-year degrees and called for more workforce training. Education Policy: Alabama has approved Ten Commandments posters for public schools starting in January, while voters will also weigh a proposed amendment on student-initiated prayer. Prison Accountability: The state’s $1.25 billion Elmore County prison missed its Oct. 15 deadline and was reported more than 85% complete, prompting lawmakers from both parties to seek answers on costs and oversight. Consumer Protection: Attorney General Steve Marshall joined the FTC and 19 states in suing Dollar General, alleging stores repeatedly charged customers more at checkout than advertised.

Election Countdown: With Nov. 3 nearing, Tommy Tuberville and Doug Jones are airing final ads, while John Wahl and Phillip Ensler make their cases in the lieutenant governor’s race. Voters also face four constitutional amendments on the lieutenant governor’s office and legislative spending, county school consolidation, student prayer and the Pledge, and the national anthem in public schools. Schools and Courts: Alabama approved Ten Commandments posters for public schools starting in January. The Alabama Supreme Court left in place the reversal of Baldwin County Commissioner Tater Harris’ licensing convictions. Storm Relief: Alabama’s congressional delegation is pressing President Trump to approve a major disaster declaration after Hurricane Isaias; Gov. Kay Ivey has also requested federal aid for affected counties. Cost of Living: Alabama joined the FTC and 19 states in suing Dollar General over alleged checkout overcharges, as both parties campaign on grocery tax relief.

Election 2026: With Alabama’s Nov. 3 election approaching, a recent poll puts Tommy Tuberville 11 points ahead of Doug Jones in the governor’s race. Republican John Wahl and Democrat Phillip Ensler are vying for lieutenant governor, while President Trump renewed his endorsement of Republican Rhett Marques against Rep. Shomari Figures in the 2nd District. Consumer Protection: Alabama joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging years of overcharges when register prices exceeded shelf prices. Disaster Relief: Gov. Kay Ivey and Alabama’s congressional delegation urged Trump to approve a major disaster declaration after Hurricane Isaias, which could provide aid to affected households, governments and nonprofits. Tax Policy: State lawmakers say eliminating the remaining 2% state grocery tax will be a priority in 2027, though local grocery taxes would remain. Courts: The Alabama Supreme Court cleared the way for Michael Shannon Taylor’s execution; Ivey set a Nov. 5–6 window for the lethal injection over the 1991 Etowah County murders.

Governor’s Race: Tommy Tuberville’s final campaign ad casts his agenda on taxes, schools and public safety against Doug Jones’ proposals, as both make their closing pitches to Alabama voters. Congressional Fight: The 2nd District race has tightened, with Shomari Figures campaigning alongside Terri Sewell and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker. Government Oversight: Hoover Mayor Nick Derzis says a 2024 report identifying cybersecurity weaknesses was not shared with him or the City Council; officials have not explained why or confirmed all problems are fixed. Campaign Finance: An ethics complaint accuses Senate candidate Jesse Battles of improperly reporting $10,000 in campaign cash; Battles says it was his own money loaned to the campaign. Disaster Aid: Gov. Kay Ivey, Sewell and Figures are urging President Trump to approve federal disaster assistance after Hurricane Isaias. Consumer Protection: Alabama joined the FTC and 19 states in suing Dollar General over alleged register overcharges that exceeded advertised prices. Privacy and Policing: Attorney general nominee Katherine Robertson says she wants lawmakers to set safeguards for Flock license-plate cameras, including rules on privacy and data use.

School Policy: State Superintendent Eric Mackey approved the Ten Commandments poster for public schools under a law taking effect Jan. 1. It must appear in common areas and U.S. history classrooms for grades 5–12, but not schools serving only K–4. Campaign 2026: Tommy Tuberville used a Huntsville speech to attack liberal leaders as he campaigns for governor. In Alabama’s closely watched 2nd District race, Sen. Cory Booker rallied for Shomari Figures; the district was redrawn to favor Republicans, though analysts recently shifted the contest toward Democrats. Storm Recovery: Gov. Kay Ivey requested a federal disaster declaration for 23 counties hit by Hurricane Isaias, seeking aid for residents and communities. Abortion Dispute: Attorney General Steve Marshall joined Arkansas and Louisiana in suing states over laws shielding providers who send abortion pills by mail. Voting: Alabama voters seeking mail-in absentee ballots face an Oct. 27 application deadline.

Schools & Religion: State Superintendent Eric Mackey approved a Ten Commandments poster for display in public schools under a law taking effect Jan. 1. It must appear in common areas and certain history classrooms, but not schools serving only K–4. Governor’s Race: Tommy Tuberville criticized Democrats at a Huntsville-area GOP meeting as he campaigns for governor; a recent poll puts him 11 points ahead of Doug Jones. Voting: Applications for mail-in absentee ballots are due Tuesday, Oct. 27, ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Disaster Relief: Gov. Kay Ivey is seeking a federal disaster declaration for 23 counties hit by Hurricane Isaias. Abortion Law: Alabama joined Arkansas and Louisiana in suing states that shield providers of mail-order abortion pills, escalating a legal fight over state abortion restrictions.