Plus more results from Tuesday’s state runoff election

In the absence of a designated successor, we often find ourselves heading toward chaos.

George W. Bush anointed no one as a possible Republican successor to the presidency. The mad scramble left an opening for the Democrats to exploit.

Gov. Riley had no preferred candidate in the GOP to follow in his footsteps. Well, at least not until Saturday, when he finally tossed a late endorsement to Bradley Byrne.

It has been chaos in the Republican camp in Alabama leading up to Tuesday’s runoff election. The two biggest names running for governor were Tim James, the son of a former two-term governor, and Roy Moore, former chief justice of the state supreme court — and they finished in third and fourth place.

The runoff featured front-runner Byrne, former chancellor of the state’s 2-year college system and scourge of the Alabama Education Association. It also had a dark horse, Robert Bentley, a doctor and state representative.

Tuesday night, Bentley, shown at right, pulled off the upset by soundly defeating Byrne 56 percent to 44 percent in unofficial results. He had trailed Byrne just 6 weeks ago in the primary election 25 percent to 28 percent.

City folk may have liked Byrne, but it was country folk who supported Bentley. Rural counties overwhelmingly went for the doctor over the lawyer.

• • •

Runoff winners and losers from Tuesday
around Alabama and metro Birmingham.

• • •

Bentley faces Democratic challenger Ron Sparks, shown at left, who pulled off an upset of his own in knocking out Artur Davis, the 7th district congressman.

As many of you may not know, Sparks has served two terms as the state’s agricultural commissioner. And even if you did know that, your Sparks knowledge probably ends there.

The two unknowns, Bentley and Sparks, are left to battle for the state’s top office. Who’da thunk it 2 months ago?

Headed toward chaos? No, just the orderly progression of moneyed interests.

In this year’s election, those two interests are the AEA and the gambling lobby.

The AEA and Byrne have been at odds over merit pay and tenure law for years. Naturally, the AEA bankrolled millions of dollars in anti-Byrne ads during the runoff campaign.

It has also be a big contributor to … Sparks. Both sides covered.

Note to AEA head Paul Hubbert: Next time, it’ll probably be cheaper just to run for the governor’s office yourself in 2014.

Make no mistake: A teacher’s union isn’t the same as an educational reform group. One is there to maintain benefits and protection for teachers, even as the state remains in the Bottom 2 in education decade after decade.

As for bingo, Sparks wants to legalize it and tax it, following a public referendum. His campaign has been funded in part by gambling political action committees.

No such funding appears to have come into Bentley’s largely self-funded campaign. While personally against it, Bentley says he’s OK with a state referendum on bingo, which, if approved, should be taxed.

Are Alabamians screaming for bingo, or for other forms of gambling from dog racing to lotteries to casinos? We may soon have our say at the ballot box.

The same ballot box where we’ll still be scratching our heads on Nov. 2 over the curious race between Robert Bentley and Ron Sparks.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

• • •

• U.S. House: On the Democratic side, Terri Sewell beat Shelia Smoot in the District 7 race to replace Artur Davis. On the Republican side, Don Chamberlain beat Chris Salter for the nomination.

The heavily gerrymandered district favors Democrats. Should Sewell win in November, she would be the first black female Representative in state history.

• Attorney general: James Anderson clinched the Democratic nomination, defeating Giles Perkins. Anderson faces GOP nominee Luther Strange.

• Jefferson County Commission: The members will be all new in the fall after the last standing incumbent went down Tuesday.

In District 1, George Bowman beat Johnathan Austin in the Democratic runoff. If this sounds familiar, he beat Austin a few weeks ago in the special election to fill the seat immediately. Bowman faces Republican Greg Stanley in the fall.

In District 2, Democrat Sandra Little Brown beat Gary Richardson, winning the seat with no Republican opposition.

In District 3, Jimmie Stephens defeated incumbent Bobby Humphryes Jr. on the Republican ticket. He’ll face Vivian Ford, who defeated fellow Democrat Ron Yarbrough.

In District 4, Republican Joe Knight beat Ronnie Dixon. Knight will face Democratic challenger Roy Wood.

• Jefferson County Sheriff: Willie Hill defeated Ron Blankenship to win the Democratic nomination. Hill battles Republican incumbent Mike Hale.

Election Day is Nov. 2.

• • •

Also:

• ABC 33/40: Election analysis from Second Front writer Kyle Whitmire
• Clarion Caller: Jenn Foster on Bentley’s victory
• Flashpoint: Post-runoff thoughts
• Doc’s Political Parlor: Who had a good night last night? A bad night?
• The World Around You: Hello Governor Sparks – The Upside Down World of Alabama Politics

• • •

Who will win the governor’s race in November, Bentley or Sparks? Who should win? Tell us in the comments.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

Today’s runoff results from state and metro Birmingham races …

More election coverage in our Vote 2010 special report.

(Updating throughout the evening.)

The general election takes place Nov. 2.

Runoff results

Winner in red

Turnout in Jefferson, Madison, Mobile and Montgomery Counties was 19.8 percent. In just Jefferson County, it was 20.1 percent.

More live coverage:

• Second Front
• The World Around You
• The Birmingham News
• Test of new vote tallying system showing Jefferson, Madison, Mobile and Montgomery Counties

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

Runoffs are upon us. (That almost rhymes.)

Tuesday, some voters head back to the polls for the statewide runoffs. The June 1 primary election had about a 33 percent turnout across Alabama, but under 25 percent in Jefferson County.

The big showdown on the Republican ticket is for governor: state representative Robert Bentley vs. former two-year college chancellor Bradley Byrne. Bentley edged out third-place finisher Tim James by just 270 votes in the recount.

Meet the two remaining GOP gubernatorial candidates.

Republicans Don Chamberlain and Chris Salter are competing in U.S. House District 7. And in two runoff races for Jefferson County Commission, incumbent Bobby Humphryes Jr. faces Jimmie Stephens in District 3, and Ronnie Dixon faces Joe Knight in District 4.

On the Democratic ticket, Terri Sewell and Shelia Smoot are battling for U.S. House District 7 in a top race; either one could become the first black female representative in state history.

James Anderson takes on Giles Perkins for state attorney general.

For Jefferson County Commission, three runoff races will be settled. In District 1, Johnathan Austin and George Bowman face off for the fourth and final time. Bowman recently won a special runoff election to fill the seat immediately (vacated when William Bell became Birmingham’s mayor in January). Tuesday’s re-rematch will be for the next full term. In District 2, Sandra Little Brown faces Gary Richardson; in District 3, Vivian Ford faces Ron Yarbrough.

And either Ron Blankenship or Willie Hill will win the Democratic ballot for Jefferson County sheriff.

• • •

Results from the June 1 primary election.

Determine your polling place and districts (state and county).

• • •

A roundup of other resources for Tuesday’s runoffs …

Bhamwiki

• List of candidates in primary and runoff elections.

Doc’s Political Parlor

• Full list of races for Alabama Senate and House.
• Full list of races for state offices and Congress.

The World Around You

• Candidates and their endorsements by newspapers and organizations.

• • •

Sample ballots are included for Jefferson and Shelby Counties below. (The Jefferson County ballots include versions for every district.)

For easier viewing, you can print, download or zoom to full screen with each ballot.

Sample ballots for all 67 counties.

• • •

Jefferson County: Democratic ballot

Jefferson County: Republican ballot

Shelby County

Democratic ballot, left; Republican ballot

The general election is Nov. 2.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

Celebrate your independence or codependence all Independence Day weekend long, whether that weekend is 2 days, 3 days or even 5 days. Take a look at the multitude of holiday activities around the Birmingham area.

Thunder on the Mountain: Despite funding difficulties, the annual fireworks show atop Red Mountain appears to be a go, thanks to a last-minute $15,000 sponsorship by … the Alabama Education Association?! Look to the skies at 9 p.m. Sunday for Thunder on the Mountain, also airing live on Fox 6. The musical accompaniment will air on Cox radio stations: WZZK (104.7 FM), The Eagle (106.9 FM), The Buck (97.3 FM), WENN (101.9 FM),  JAMZ (95.7 FM), Kiss (98.7 FM) and Heaven WAGG (610 AM).

Video: Thunder on the Mountain, fireworks over Vulcan

I Love America Summer Celebration Series: Get a head start on the holiday fun Thursday at Wald Park [map] in Vestavia Hills. 6:30-7:30 p.m: free swim. 6:30-7:45: children’s activities by Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. 7: Pops in the Park, patriotic music by the Shades Mountain Baptist Church Orchestra. Around 8: “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” Free. For more information, see the flyer.

Jazz in the Park: Magic City Smooth Jazz kicks off its 5-week summer park tour with a performance on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Caldwell Park on Southside [map]. The free show features Keith Williams, Dee Lucas and Scrollworks. For more information, see the flyer.

UAB Summer Band: Annual free concert led by director Sue Samuels, featuring patriotic songs, traditional band music, pop tunes, Disney favorites, movie and Broadway themes and more. Free; raffle winner will conduct part of the performance, $2 for one ticket, $5 for three. 7:30-9 p.m. Sunday, leading up to the Thunder on the Mountain display. Bartow Arena lawn, 617 13th St. S. [map]. For more information, see the activeculture.info listing.

Video: UAB Summer Band performs Leonard Bernstein’s “Slava!”

Birmingham Barons: World Cup? Feh. Baseball! See the Barons play the Mississippi Braves at Regions Park in Hoover [map]. It’s a doubleheader on Thursday, starting at 5:05 p.m. Friday’s game starts at 7:05, while Saturday starts at 6:30; those games will have fireworks. Tickets are $7 to $12. For schedule and ticket purchase, visit the official site.

Independence Day Celebration in the Vineyards: Drive down U.S. 280 to Morgan Creek Vineyards for jazz and fireworks. 6-10 p.m. Saturday, with performance by Tekneek and wine tastings. $10. For more information, visit the site.

Helena concert and fireworks: Texas country performer Derryl Perry will be at the Helena Amphitheater [map] for the city’s holiday celebration. Fireworks follow the concert. Free, 6-9 p.m. Saturday. For more information, see the flyer.

Video: Derryl Perry

Turkey Creek Preserve hike and swim: Go for a short day hike with Southeastern Outings, starting at 1 p.m. Saturday. The trip through Turkey Creek Preserve will include time for a picnic lunch and swim. Hikers bring their own lunch, water, swimsuit, towel and river shoes or sneakers. Free. Departing from the Pinson Chevron, 6710 Ala. 79 [map]. For more information, see the activeculture.info listing.

Project Codename: Vulcan’s Underpants: Birmingham-based improv comedy troupe Extemporaneous Theatre Company will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Birmingham Festival Theatre, 1901 1/2 11th Ave. S. [map]. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door; Thursday is pay what you can, with $5 minimum. For more information, visit the site.

Video: Extemporaneous Theatre Company performs
“Pick-Up Lines: Hooters.”

What will you be doing this holiday weekend?

And other results from Tuesday’s state primary election

A semi-soggy Primary Election Day in Alabama brought some surprising results amid light voter turnout.

• Governor: Rep. Artur Davis, long touted as the frontrunner in the Democratic race, fell to opponent state agriculture commissioner Ron Sparks (pictured below left) in a landslide.

Davis picked up less than 38 percent in his attempt to become the first major black candidate for governor of Alabama. It appears not so much that Sparks won as much as Davis lost, and the reasons are many. Davis failed to win the endorsement of key black Democratic groups; he voted against his party on health care reform; he could still be the wrong color for a conservative Southern state.

Byrne, left, will face either Bentley,
center, or James in a runoff.

Meanwhile, a very tight three-way race among Republicans kept watchers guessing until late Tuesday night. State senator Bradley Byrne eventually pulled far enough ahead with 28 percent to secure one runoff spot. With 99 percent of precincts counted, Robert Bentley had a tiny 140-vote lead over Tim James, 25.15 percent to 25.12 percent.

It’s likely the close vote will trigger an automatic recount, which will set the stage for the July 13 runoff. The winner faces Sparks on Nov. 2.

• • •

Results from Tuesday’s primaries, state and metro Birmingham.

• • •

• U.S. Senate: Incumbent Richard Shelby handily won the GOP nomination, facing and probably trouncing Democratic attorney William G. Barnes in the fall.

• U.S. House: In District 6, Republican Spencer Bachus won 76 percent of the vote to secure re-election to his 10th term.

In District 7, the seat being vacated by Artur Davis, Don Chamberlain and Chris Salter are headed for the GOP runoff, while Terri Sewell and Shelia Smoot will compete in the Democratic runoff. Keep in mind: Only three times in history has a non-Democratic candidate filled the seat.

• Lieutenant governor: Democratic incumbent Jim Folsom Jr., who ran unopposed, will battle state treasurer Kay Ivey, who knocked out two opponents in the Republican primary.

• Attorney general: James Anderson came up just a hair short to win the Democratic nomination outright, facing a runoff with Giles Perkins. But the real tale is in Luther Strange‘s trouncing of incumbent Troy King, who not only faced opposition in a primary but also from GOP leaders after an extended battle with Gov. Riley over bingo and gambling. Strange day, indeed.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

• • •

• Jefferson County Commission: We’re still not sure why anyone wants this job, given that previous members have sent the county into billions of dollars in debt and have gone to prison. Certainly not most of the incumbents, since only one ran for re-election.

In District 1, a seat that came open when William Bell became mayor of Birmingham, Democrats Johnathan Austin (Birmingham city council member) and George Bowman (former county commissioner) are headed to two runoffs. One runoff to immediately fill the position, the other for the regular 4-year term.

In District 2, former Birmingham city council member Sandra Little Brown and radio station owner Gary Richardson will compete in the Democratic runoff.

In District 3, Vivian Ford, a minister and a Realtor, will be in the Democratic runoff against Ron Yarbrough, who served recently as assistant tax assessor in the Bessemer cutoff. Incumbent Bobby Humphryes Jr. will face businessman Jimmie Stephens in the GOP runoff.

In District 4, Democrat Roy Wood, ran unopposed, will face the winner of the GOP runoff, businessman Ronnie Dixon or attorney Joe Knight.

And in District 5, Republican business owner David Carrington won the seat outright by defeating two opponents.

• Sheriff: In Jefferson County, incumbent Mike Hale handily defeated Republican challenger and convicted felon Jim Woodward. He’ll face the winner of the Democratic runoff, Ron Blankenship or Willie Hill.

In Shelby County, incumbent Chris Curry easily won re-election in the Republican race.

• Voter turnout: Secretary of State Beth Chapman had predicted 35 percent to 38 percent turnout among registered voters Tuesday. In 2006′s primary, turnout was 38.4 percent, while in 2002′s primary, it was 35 percent.

But in Jefferson County, voter turnout was under 25 percent Tuesday. That was about the same turnout for Madison County and Huntsville.

With such low figures in the major cities, it’s likely the statewide turnout will be low, too, maybe even below 30 percent.

Update June 3: Birmingham News estimates statewide turnout to be about 33 percent.

• • •

How did your candidates do on Tuesday? Are you planning to vote in the runoffs? Leave us a comment with your thoughts on the primaries.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

Election results from today’s primaries in Alabama and the Birmingham metro area …

More election coverage in our Vote 2010 special report.

(Updating throughout the evening.)

The runoff takes place July 13.

Democrats

(Contested races only)

Winner in red | Runoff candidates in blue

Republicans

(Contested races only)

Winner in red | Runoff candidates in blue

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

The polls are open! Vote before 7 tonight for candidates in state and county races.

Q: Where do I vote?

A: Call Jefferson County: 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): 481-4105, Shelby County: 669-3913.

Or Search Your Polling Place on AlabamaVotes.gov.

Wade on Birmingham:
primary election results tonight

Remember, if you have problems at your polling place:

• Notify a poll worker immediately.
• Call the state attorney general at 1-800-831-8814 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday or fill out this online form.
• Call the secretary of state at 1-800-274-VOTE (8683) or visit her site, StopVoterFraudNow.com.
• And tell the probate court for Jefferson County (325-5203) or Shelby County (669-3713).
• E-mail us at Vote2010[at]wadeonbirmingham.com.

Q: What can I expect to see on the ballots?

A: Check out these sample ballots for each county.

You’re voting for governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, state and county officials, plus a state constitutional amendment.

Q: Who should I vote for?

A: Before you hit the voting booth, check out our guide to the primaries.

Let us know where and when you voted, and how many votes were cast before yours.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

The state primaries are just a day away, but voter turnout is predicted to be between 35 and 40 percent. Post-holiday weekend hangover? Voter apathy? Primary doldrums?

It just means your choices carry more weight. But first, you’ll need to figure out who’s running and who deserves your vote.

In the 5 years we’ve covered elections, the online resources have blossomed, from a variety of political bloggers across the state, partisan and nonpartisan. Their tireless research can help you figure out your picks in the remaining hours before polls open Tuesday morning across Alabama.

Plus, we’ve updated the Vote 2010 guide with the Jefferson and Shelby County races.

• • •

Determine your polling place and districts (state and county).

Sample ballots for each county.

• • •

Bhamwiki

• List of candidates in primary elections.

Doc’s Political Parlor

• Full list of races for Alabama Senate and House.
• Full list of races for state offices and Congress.
• Odds for each of the major state and congressional races in the Alabama Line.

The World Around You

• Candidates and their endorsements by newspapers and organizations.
• Predictions on the major races in Alabama.

And finally, endorsements and predictions from partisan bloggers …

• Flashpoint
• From a Buick
• Left in Alabama
• The Progressive Electorate

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

See sample ballots for the Nov. 2 general election.

•

It’s almost time to vote. To help you see the full candidate list for your district, we’ve included sample ballots for Jefferson and Shelby Counties for the primaries. (The Jefferson County ballots, 180 pages and 238 pages, include versions for every district.)

Also included is the Alabama Voter Guide 2010, which has information on voting procedures and frequently asked questions.

For easier viewing, you can print, download or zoom to full screen with each ballot.

Primary elections take place Tuesday across the state.

• • •

Sample ballots for all 67 counties.

Who gets your vote? Picks, endorsements and predictions.

• • •

Jefferson County: Democratic ballot

Jefferson County: Republican ballot

Shelby County: Democratic ballot

Shelby County: Republican ballot

Alabama Voter Guide 2010

• • •

See sample ballots for the Nov. 2 general election.

More Vote 2010 coverage.

Video: “Walker’s Theme” (live), Gerald Albright

Spend a Sunday in the Preserve in Hoover with several jazz giants. The fourth annual Preserve Jazz Festival will feature a day of music on the lawn. The lineup:

• Gerald Albright
• The Southern Gentlemen: Birmingham’s Eric Essix, plus Joey Summerville and Michael Ward
• Phil Davis
• Hungary’s Collaboration Trio
• Neo Jazz Collective

The festival takes place June 6, with performances starting at 3 p.m.

Tickets — $35 in advance, $38 at the event — are available online. Admission is free for children age 12 and younger.

For more information, visit the Preserve Jazz Festival site.

Check out the lineup via videos …

Video: “Birmingham,” Eric Essix

Video: “Ladybird,” Neo Jazz Collective

The 27th annual Magic City Art Connection takes place Friday through Sunday in Linn Park downtown. We’re featuring 15 randomly selected Alabama artists out of the 200 or so expected to attend.

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Update April 23: The event is canceled for Saturday because of inclement weather, but will resume Sunday.

Painting

Ron Lewis

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Ronald Lewis Art Gallery
• Bio: Since graduating from the University of Montevallo, Ronald Lewis has won over 95 awards for his paintings in oil, watercolor and acrylic.

“Night Rider,” Ron Lewis

Jewelry

Kelly Olshan

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Kelly Olshan Designs
• Bio: Kelly Olshan is a visual arts student at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and makes jewelry on the side.

Bracelets, Kelly Olshan

Mixed media, 2D

Tracy McKay

• City: Pleasant Grove
• Site: Tracy McKay
• Bio: A mutt, athlete, self taught artist and poet using roofing paper, found objects and whatever house paints and stains that are available. I have a loose idea of what I want to paint, I trust on an impulsive process layering paint and dragging my knife and fingers around the shapes.

“Land of the Midnight Sun,” Tracy McKay

Photography

Michael Mixon

• City: Alabaster
• Site: Hanging Around Hoover
• Bio: Since opening Hanging Around Hoover. I must say that this business has been one of the most rewarding endeavors I’ve ever taken.

Photo, Michael Mixon

Clay

Jason Anderson

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Jason Anderson Ceramics

Red raku-fired vessel, Jason Anderson

Metal

Robert Taylor

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Southern Artistry
• Bio: My first experience with metal working came in 1986 when I became a member of the Alabama Forge Council. The council meetings and conferences allowed me the opportunity to learn by working hands-on alongside domestic and international master smiths.

“Cahaba Lily,” Robert Taylor

Fiber

Terry Martin

• City: Birmingham

Scarves, Terry Martin

Sculpture

Jinx Bentley

• City: Odenville
• Site: Trash Dog Sculptures
• Bio: Jinx likes to surprise people. A creative sculptor, she is an extremely passionate and self-motivated artist exploding with fresh new ideas.

“Benji,” Jinx Bentley

Glass

Jeff and Jaky Felix

• City: Titus
• Site: Joyful Imagination

Fish, Jeff and Jaky Felix

Wood

Carl Smith

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Nature’s Art by Carl
• Bio: In 1979, I started with driftwood and discovered that there weren’t many places to find it in my area. In my quest to find driftwood, I began to notice pieces of decaying wood with strikingly odd shapes. I began to venture into wooded areas in search of a variety of woods, such as oak, walnut, cedar and wisteria vines.

“Miriam the Dancer,” Carl Smith

Mixed media, 3D

Frank Ledbetter

• City: Theodore
  Site: Artistic Metal Creations
• Bio: Metal artist Frank Ledbetter creates functional metal art using stainless steel, carbon steel and aluminum. Because his dad always had a metal shop in the back yard, he grew up around steel fabrication and welding.

Seahorse pedestal sink, Frank Ledbetter

Watercolor

Richard Russell

• City: Birmingham
  Site: All Things Gallery
• Bio: Having sold over 1,000 Russell original paintings, this artist got started in several upper end New York galleries.

“Temple Emanu-El,” Richard Russell

Drawing

Rob Clifton

• City: Hoover
• Bio: Most of what I draw looks like something that you would see from a wild dream, and that is because many of my ideas come to me during sleep. In my drawings I try to depict stories, as well as ideas. My primary instruments are ink pens, and I use a variety of sizes.

Drawing, Rob Clifton

Computer generated

Binx Newton

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Binx Newton

“Birmingham Street Fountains,” Binx Newton

Printmaking

Ashley Lindsey

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Ashley Lindsey
• Bio: Through printmaking, I have a connective methodology. My first artistic love is drawing, preferably with colored pencils, since color has multicultural meaning.

“Blue,” Ashley Lindsey

Also:

• Corks and Chefs features 16 chefs on Saturday and Sunday. $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

The Birmingham Business Alliance is holding a series of forums for Jefferson County Commission candidates starting tonight. All five forums start at 6 p.m.

• District 1 | tonight, The Harbert Center, downtown [map]
• District 5 | Tuesday, Hoover City Hall, council chambers [map]
• District 3 | April 19, McAdory High School, McCalla [map]
• District 2 | April 22, Lawson State Community College, A.G. Gaston Auditorium [map]
• District 4 | April 26, Tarrant City Hall, council chambers [map]

[Map of Jefferson County Commission districts]

The alliance is taking voter questions ahead of time through an online form.

Bright House and Charter plan to record the forums to show on their on-demand channels.

• • •

More Vote 2010 coverage.

The Birmingham Business Alliance is looking to the future in a city with a very troubled recent past. At its annual meeting Tuesday, the organization focused on Blueprint Birmingham, its effort to develop a regional plan for economic development.

The playbook has been similar to Opportunity Austin, the successful program that made the Texas city more competitive.

• Step 1: Hire Atlanta firm Market Street.
• Step 2: Ask for input on education, infrastructure, quality of life and other aspects through a survey.

Those interested can take the survey online or print the 69-page version to send in.

The survey deadline is Monday.

The last time Alabama’s unemployment rate was this high was more than 25 years ago. With 226,790 unemployed workers, the state’s jobless rate hit 10.9 percent in October, a slight increase from 10.7 percent the month before.

But the news is far worse in Birmingham. In October 2008, 26,000 people in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area were out of work. This October, more than 50,000 were unemployed, a 95 percent increase from year to year.

It could be worse. No, really: One economist at Regions Bank says Alabama’s unemployment rate could hit 12 percent by spring.

Ernie Dunn, a candidate for mayor of Birmingham, was found dead in his Hoover home Thursday night. The 49-year-old man had a history of medical problems according to authorities.

In an interview published earlier today by the Birmingham News, Dunn explained why he was running, even with a residence outside of Birmingham:

“I need a job. I’ve been trying to get back into the job market and the mayor’s job came open. I figured why don’t I give it a try. I’ll make good decisions for everyone, but I need a paycheck. I’m hun­gry just like everyone else.

“I’m broke. There is nothing else I can rent currently.”

Thirteen candidates remain in the race. Election Day is Tuesday.

• • •

More Vote 2009 coverage.