By Christopher M Peeks October 18th 2024 During the course of my life, politics has changed, and not for the good. I guess that some of this development occurred due to the people involved. In today's climate, people seeking higher office do so for self-interest instead of bettering people's lives. I see this trend only continuing to worsen for future generations.
*Growing Up in a Different Era*
I grew up before computers and cell phones. Before Twitter and Facebook. Even before cable TV. I grew up when people still read papers. In fact, that's how I got my political fix in my younger years. I have a few fleeting memories of George Wallace's last campaign in 1982. I can remember going to the polls with my father. He held me up to turn the lever for Governor Wallace, and in 1984, the memory that sticks out is Geraldine Ferraro receiving the vice presidential nomination, an unprecedented event, on the Democratic ticket. But I will never forget a thing about the 1986 Alabama governor's race.
*Cutting My Teeth On Politics*
I cut my political teeth that year and a politico person could not have picked a better one. The nation's eyes fixated on Alabama to see who followed "The Guvna" who decided not to seek a fifth term. Well, six if you count his wife's term as his surrogate. The Democrats filled in an All-Star lineup led by lieutenant governor Bill Baxley, Attorney General Charlie Graddick, former Governor Fob James, and former Lieutenant Governor George McMillan, who Wallace barely nipped in the 1982 runoff. Most political pundits viewed Baxley, the party favorite, as the FrontRunner, and he enjoyed a healthy lead in the first round of opinion polls. But that would soon change due to the negative climate of the campaign. If people think today's elections are nasty. Nothing compares to what is now referred to now as the "Baxley Graddick Race." "Baxley-Graddick" turned into a back alley Street l fight. The campaigns left nothing on the table.
*The Baxley-Graddick Race*
Initially polling forth behind George McMillan, Graddick surged to second place behind Baxley after surpassing former Governor Fob James, who many believed Baxley's most formidable challenge. The two previously squared off in the 1978 governors race that saw James the victor. Baxley told me he saw Graddick "coming on," and and "knew he would be in trouble if he made it to the runoff." The lieutenant governors dire premonition came to pass. After the dust cleared following a bruising primary battle Baxley and Graddick emerged one and two. What transpired next went down in political lore. During the runoff the back alley street fight turned into a knife fight.The two candidates went after each other with unrelenting ferocity. They wanted to kill each other, or so it seemed. Politics is odd, however, because both men have told me how good of friends they are. They "were friends before they were during and we're friends after" Baxley told me once, and Charlie concurred.
*A Personal Connection*
At the end of this 3-week struggle for the Democratic nomination, tantamount to victory in those days, Graddick, at first ,appeared to come out on top. He edged out Baxley by under 9,000 votes. But Charlie had done something against Alabama Democratic bylaws. He encouraged Republicans to cross over and vote in the runoff. Baxley challenges the election. Court cases ensued, and the Alabama State Supreme Court finally told the Democratic party to either declare Baxley the winner or hold new run off. The executive committee chose Baxley. Crystal clear in my mind is the first time I saw Bill in a commercial. He walked towards the camera in his distinctive Southern drawl spoke of what he wanted to do for the citizens. I do not know why he captivated me. But I became the biggest Baxley supporter in the world. Even though, at barely eight years old, if one of his detractors said one negative word about the lieutenant governor, it incurred my wrath. I would have fought a circle saw.
*A Lifelong Impact*
When the Democratic party declared Baxley the winner, I wrote a letter to him. I informed him how much I supported him and hoped he got elected governor. My parents mailed the envelope for me. Several days passed. Then, one morning, my parents woke me up around 7:40, telling me that I had a phone call. "Who would be calling me," I asked myself, still in a sleep Haze. I answered the phone, etched in my memory, came "This is Lieutenant Governor Bill Baxley. I received your letter yesterday". Giddy like the school kid I was barely heard the rest of the words. I know he told me how much he appreciated the support, and when he won, he was going to send a limousine to pick me up, and I was going to be the guest of honor at the inauguration. Overcoming with extreme exuberance is the only way I can describe it. How many other people can say their childhood hero called them? And under these circumstances? Bill, beleaguered and in the fight for his political life, took the time to call a little boy and acknowledge that he received his correspondence? Who does that? Bill Baxley.
_Full Circle_
Years later, I became friends with his son Louis and told him about the story. Louis asked Bill about it, and he arranged for us to meet. I'm now friends with Bill and talk to him on a weekly basis. And each time, I get apprehensive when I call his number. I'm not shy or fearful when calling political figures. I've called senators and Congressmen, you name it. But every time I call Bill, I revert back to an eight-year-old kid, like the nervous fan of a rockstar trying not to say something stupid.
_A Call for Character-Driven Leadership_
I guess so far, I haven't said anything too dumb. We need more people like Bill Baxley in politics. Let me also mention his late ex-wife Lucy, who, in her own right, became a political force in Alabama, rising to lieutenant governor and becoming the Democratic nominee 20 years after him. Having more of their ilk not only improves politics but improves society as well. In this day and time, leaders who possess character are sorely missed.
_Conclusion_
Bill Baxley's le a powerful reminder: character matters.
Christopher M Peeks
Reporter and Columnist
Alabama Political Contributor
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