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Inside the Statehouse Without a doubt, the marquee race on the ballot Nov. 7 is the governor's race. However probably just as important, as far as setting public policy for the next four years, is the battle for control of the 35 member Alabama State Senate. The Legislature controls the purse strings of state government and an accurate adage is that those that have the gold make the rules. The governor can administer state agencies but he or she is hamstrung if they do not have input into the appropriation of state funds. In bygone days George Wallace wielded immense power and he pretty much controlled the legislature. Also past lieutenant governors held the gavel and the even more significant power of being the titular head of the senate, appointing committees, and setting the agenda. This power was usurped eight years ago by the democratic dominated senate when Republican Steve Windom became lieutenant governor. However, it was not given back to Democrat Lucy Baxley when she became lieutenant governor. The senate liked the power they had garnered. The power previously granted to the lieutenant governor now rests with the senate president. The post is now held by Senator Lowell Barron who wants to remain in power. His control has been tenuous and has been challenged by several coups of mixed combinations. There has been a consistent group of anti-Barron senators made up of the ten republicans and six renegade democrats. The final story of who will control the senate will be played out in the organizational session in January, but the first battle will be on Nov. 7 when the players will be selected by the voters in their respective districts around the state. Out of the 35 seats there are only a handful that are truly in play. Therefore the democrats will continue to dominate in numbers. Currently there are 25 Democrats and 10 Republicans. The 10 GOP seats are all safe and there are 16 safe Democratic senate seats where the senator has been committed to Barron. These 10 safe Republican seats and 16 safe Democratic seats are pretty much in the bag. In addition, there are four more seats that are held by popular Democrats that are really leaning Republican districts but these four senators are too strong to beat. Therefore, they have only fielded weak GOP opponents. These seats are held by Jim Preuitt, Jimmy Holley, Tom Butler, and Ted Little. These four will prevail and be back in January and will not vote for Barron. This brings the count to 20 Democratic seats and 10 ironclad republican seats. That leaves only five seats up for grabs. Senate District 30 has been represented by Democrat Wendell Mitchell for over two decades. The district has become Republican leaning due to the influx of Montgomerians moving over the river into Autauga and Elmore counties. Mitchell is being challenged by Greenville Republican Joan Reynolds. Mitchell should prevail because of years of hard work. The Tennessee Valley seat of retiring Senator Tommy Ed Roberts is in play. Republican lawyer Arthur Orr is a slight favorite over Probate Judge Bobby Day. This could be a Republican pickup, although not a philosophical one. Roberts was a Democrat but organized and voted with the Republicans. The same was true for Sen. Gerald Dial. He ran as a Democrat but was really a Republican. It caught up with him in the Democratic primary. He was ousted by Kim Benefield. She will be challenged by Republican Jim Ingram but she should win. The two best races in the state are in the southwest corner. Longtime Democratic Senator Pat Lindsey is being challenged by Republican lobbyist John McMillan. This will be a classic big business versus trial lawyer money clash. McMillan is the business candidate and Lindsey is the trial lawyer horse. Lindsey's years of doing favors for his sprawling rural district may pay off with another four-year term. The best race in the state is in Mobile District 35. This is the truest swing district in the state. It is currently held by Democrat Gary Tanner who is being challenged by Republican Ben Brooks. This one is too close to call. My prediction is that when the dust settles the Republicans will pick up two seats, making the numbers 23 to 12, which is not enough to make a difference. Who wins the governor's and lieutenant governor's races will have an impact, but the war for senate control will not be over on Nov. 7. Instead the battle will rage on for two more months. It should be an interesting tug of war. Steve Flowers served 16 years in the State Legislature. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
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