By Chris Peeks February 10, 2022
As February races to March, we're closing in on Alabama's 2022 primary. As a whole, this slate of candidates leaves a lot to be desired. Not all, because I have talked to some excellent office seekers. However, examining this ballot leaves me yearning for the past. How I long for the candidates of old. I reminisce fondly about days gone by. Back when Alabama was home to Gomer, Goober, and Guy.
Hey, but at least Hunt had a cool backstory, right? What happened to Alabama politicians? We had candidates that were colorful, cheerful, great speakers, and controversial. These candidates, except a few, put the letter B in boring. Boy, they sure don't make them like they used to.
Gone are the days of candidates like Big Jim Folsom, Wallace, Baxley, and of course, who can forget one of my all-time favorites, Fob James? I mean, we do have a James on the ballot this year, but he is far from Fob. Even our perennial candidates like Charles Woods and Shorty Price were enduring figures. But not this slate.
I don't know what happened to the Democratic party. As of 2010, they controlled the legislature and had two statewide officeholders in Lucy Baxley and Jim Folsom Jr. Now, they can't even field candidates. I'm not sure the Republicans are much better with what they're offering.
Again I want to reiterate that we do have some good people running that are fascinating characters but not as a collective group. A good example is the Senate race. That is the worst I've ever seen in my life for an open seat. For the sake of Alabama, I hope both parties will actively recruit strong candidates.
I loved the short time when a two-party system existed in Alabama. Elections we're fun to watch then. Today not so much. And it has a lot to do with the candidates. With what's running in this cycle, "None Of the Above" would get in the runoff.
Chris Peeks
Reporter and Columnist
Alabama Political Contributor
Excellent