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Now, you have seen me go after Ron Sparks for lack of depth in his press announcements, I will give credit where credit is due on the announcement yesterday of support from 28 Democratic Sheriffs, that is a real accomplishment in the endorsement wars. Yet, it did make me wonder, as the majority of our 67 sheriffs in Alabama are Democrats, who chose not to join the group? So I went down the list:
- Bullock County Sheriff Raymond “Buck” Rodgers
- Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson
- Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver
- Clarke County Sheriff Bobby Moore
- Clay County Sheriff Jean Dot Alexander
- Cleburne County Sheriff Joe Jacks
- Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith
- Greene County Sheriff Ison Thomas
- Hale County Sheriff Kenneth Ellis
- Henry County Sheriff William Maddox
- Lawrence County Sheriff Gene Mitchell
- Lowndes County Sheriff Chip Williams
- Macon County Sheriff David Warren
- Marengo County Sheriff Jesse Langley
- Monroe County Sheriff Thomas Tate
- Montgomery County Sheriff D.T. Marshall
- Perry County Sheriff James Hood
- Randolph County Sheriff Jeff Fuller
- Russell County Sheriff Tommy Boswell
- Sumter County Sheriff Johnny Lee Hatter
- Talladega County Sheriff Jerry Studdard
- Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ted Sexton
- Wilcox County Sheriff Prince Arnold
(NOTE: The sheriff elected in Etowah County in 2006, was also a Democrat, but he passed away in 2007 and was replaced by an appointment by Governor Riley. It is assumed that appointee will run as a Republican next time around.)
So, assuming Ron Sparks went to each and every Democratic Sheriff to ask for their support, he got 28 out of 51. I also found it notable he got none of the biggest population centers, Montgomery, Calhoun or Tuscaloosa in the group. By population, the largest counties represented by the sheriffs who endorsed Sparks are Lauderdale and Marshall…13th and 14th on the county population list.
I’ll also say, I’ve been fortunate to know many of these sheriffs over the years. Most of those who I have come to know are on the non-committed list at this point, including Larry Amerson, Grover Smith, David Warren, D.T. Marshall and Prince Arnold (though I also know Ronnie May, Larry Plott and Ed Townsend who endorsed Sparks). It will be interesting to watch how many endorsements Artur Davis picks up and how many of these officials remain uncommitted in the months ahead.
UPDATE: mooncat at Left In Alabama also mentioned the endorsement today
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Kris, Chip Williams in Lowndes is a Republican. Riley appointed him when Sheriff Willie Aaughner died.
These endorsements matter for turnout in the rural counties. My question is, why roll these out this early? These endorsements will not matter in terms of money or momentum. They will only become relevant in the Spring of 2010 as the campaigns begin organizing their ground operations. By that time, these endorsements will be stale.
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I am aware of the appointment, but the Alabama Sheriffs Association website lists Chip as a Democrat and this article states he ran as a Democrat in the last election for Sheriff.
That is a really good question. I firmly believe that Sparks so desperately needs to get money flowing into the campaign that he’s going to pull out whatever stops he can now, because there may not be a later. I don’t think this will make much difference in fundraising, but he’s certainly hoping it will.
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I stand corrected. My folks in Lowndes County say Chip is a Repub, but only Dems get elected in Lowndes County so his affiliation may be a product of necessity. I don’t know how he will run with Big John in the race as a Dem.
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