Wade on Birmingham

Vote 2010: Meet your Republican candidates for governor of Alabama

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Wade on Birmingham - Vote 2010Six men are running for governor of Alabama on the Republican ticket on June 1. Let’s meet these candidates for governor.

[Also: a rundown of the Democratic candidates.]

Robert Bentley

  • Age: 67
  • Elected to state House of Representatives in 2002
  • Before that, doctor, founder of Alabama Dermatology Associates, service in Air Force. Graduated from University of Alabama.
  • Campaign site
  • Soundbite: “I have more experience dealing with state budgets than anyone else running.”

Video: Bentley campaign ad on “no salary” pledge.

Bradley Byrne

  • Age: 55
  • Elected to state Senate in 2002.
  • Before that, state Board of Education, chancellor of Alabama Department of Post-Secondary Education and attorney. Graduated from Duke University and University of Alabama School of Law.
  • Campaign site
  • Soundbite: “When I have to educate myself about a particular issue, I like to think I have the ability to do that and then make the best decisions I can.”

Video: Byrne campaign ad on pledge not to raise taxes.

Tim James

  • Age: 48
  • Former business owner, including Baldwin Bridge Co. and asphalt and construction firms.
  • Before that, formed and operated the Escambia County Environmental Corp. with family members. Graduated from Auburn University.
  • Campaign site
  • Soundbite: “I’m probably best suited to be governor in tough times.”

Video: James campaign ad on English-only driver’s license tests.

Bill Johnson

  • Age: 51
  • Elected Director of Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs from 2005 to 2009.
  • Before that, political consultant, Birmingham city council member, owner of industrial/commercial contracting company. Graduated from Spring Hill College in Mobile.
  • Campaign site
  • Soundbite: “As the director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, I invested a quarter billion dollars in communities across the state, so I got to know mayors and county commissioners.”

Video: Johnson introductory statement.

Roy Moore

  • Age: 63
  • President of the Foundation for Moral Law in Montgomery.
  • Before that, chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Etowah County circuit judge and deputy district attorney. Graduated from U.S. Military Academy at West Point and University of Alabama School of Law.
  • Campaign site
  • Soundbite: “I’ve always fought the special interests. I can more closely identify with the people.”

Video: Moore campaign ad with doo wop sound.

James Potts

  • Age: 60
  • Financial professional
  • Before that, service in the Air Force. Attended five colleges.
  • Campaign site
  • Soundbite: “We have beautiful golf courses. We need to take the prisoners, clean up our state parks, create hiking trails, camp sites, make it a haven for recreation.”

Video: Potts answers question asking to reveal
something voters may not know about the candidate.

Charles Taylor

  • Age: 53
  • Salesman for Buck Taylor Manufacturer Sales Co. in Daphne.
  • Before that, graduated from Auburn University.
  • Campaign site
  • Soundbite: “Abortion must be stopped. It is unacceptable.”

No video available

Deciding factor: It’s a two-way race between Byrne the politician and James the businessman. James’ late momentum may send it to a runoff, but it’s Byrne’s race to win.

If you’re voting in the Republican primary, who will you vote for and why? Leave a comment.

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More Vote 2010 coverage.