BCA Announces First Round of Endorsements

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Wednesday, March 19, the powerful Business Council of Alabama (BCA) announced that their political action committee (ProgressPAC) was endorsing an incumbent laden first round slate of candidates containing few surprises.  The powerful business group endorsed four more years for Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R).  Similarly ProgressPAC also endorsed Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey (R), Attorney General Luther Strange (R), Agricultural Commissioner John McMillan (R), and state Treasurer Young Boozer (R). In the crowded race for the open state auditor position, ProgressPAC has endorsed Adam Thompson (R). Adam Thompson said, “I am honored to receive the endorsement one of the largest and most active business organizations in our state.  BCA represents thousands of Alabama businesses and supports pro-business candidates for public office. I am committed to implementing good, common sense business principles in state government and the State Auditor’s Office.” Thompson is currently the Chief of Staff for Alabama Secretary of State Jim Bennett (R).  Thompson previously served in the Auditor’s office under Beth Chapman (R). ProgressPAC also endorsed state Representative John Merrill (R) from Tuscaloosa in the very competitive Secretary of State’s race. The Alabama affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce seems satisfied with the Republican Super Majorities in both Houses of the state legislature as is.  The BCA endorsed both Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard (R) from Auburn and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R) from Anniston. BCA endorsed several Senate incumbents in what appears at this point to be competitive races.  These include: Sen. Gerald Dial (R) from Lineville, Sen. Phil Williams (R) from Rainbow City, Sen. Tom Whatley (R) from Auburn, and Sen. Jimmy Holley (R) from Elba. Senator Phil Williams (R) from Rainbow City said on Facebook, “Campaign update: I'm humbled and very proud that I have been endorsed for re-election to the Alabama State Senate by the Business Council of Alabama! The BCA is one the most conservative pro-growth organizations in the state and I'm proud that the accomplishments that I've been a part of as a Republican legislator have resulted in their support.” In the open Senate District 8, the BCA has endorsed Steve Livingston (R).  In Senate District 29 ProgressPAC endorsed Melinda McClendon (R) over incumbent Senator Harri Anne Smith (I).  In the open Senate District 30 the business group endorsed Clyde Chambliss (R).  No Senate Democrats were endorsed by BCA at this point. In the House, most of the endorsements went to incumbents, Democrats as well as Republicans. Rep. Mack Butler (R) from Rainbow City said, “I'm very proud to Announce that I have been Endorsed by the Business Council of Alabama in my quest for re-election to State House District 30! I'm very proud to stand with them as a pro business member of the House of Representatives.” In House District 16 BCA endorsed Kyle South (R) over both former Jefferson County Commissioner Bobby Humphryes (R) and incumbent Daniel Boman (D).  In the open district 44 BCA endorsed Danny Garrett over Joe Freeman and John Amari in the Republican Primary.  In the open House District 73, BCA endorsed Matt Fridy (R). In the open House District 38 race BCA endorsed Randy Price (R). In the open House District 62 Rich Wingo (R) received BCA’s endorsement.  In House District 24 BCA endorsed Nathaniel Ledbetter (R).  In House District 27 the group endorsed Will Ainsworth (R). For State Board of Education BCA has endorsed Barry Sadler (R) for District 2 over incumbent Betty Peters (R).  BCA has endorsed Cynthia McCarty (R) for District 6 and incumbent Mary Scott Hunter in District 8.  BCA has been very vocal during this session about defending the controversial common core standards and that charge has been led by State School Board member Mary Scott Hunter (R).  State School Board member Betty Peters meanwhile has been an outspoken opponent of the Common Core standards. Mary Scott Hunter wrote, “I was honored to receive the endorsement of the Business Council of Alabama this week.  I am grateful for the support and encouragement of our business leaders who are unrelenting in their efforts to improve Alabama's business climate and create job opportunity for Alabamians.” For Congress, ProgressPAC is supporting Senator Jeff Sessions (who has no Republican or Democrat opponent) and all six of the House incumbents.  They have not yet made an endorsement in the open Sixth Congressional District. The first round of endorsements for the 2014 campaign cycle were made during a board of directors meeting in Montgomery. ProgressPAC Chairman Marty Abroms said, “We have a tremendous first round of pro-business candidates we will be supporting as we move into the 2014 election cycle.  We look forward to working with these and other candidates as we consider additional endorsements in the weeks to come.”  Marty Abroms is a Florence accountant with the firm of Abroms and Associates. BCA is Alabama’s exclusive affiliate to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers. A full list of the first round of 2014 ProgressPAC-Endorsed Candidates follows: Constitutional Officers Governor – Robert Bentley Lt. Gov. – Kay Ivey Attorney General – Luther Strange Ag. Commissioner – John McMillan Treasurer – Young Boozer Auditor – Adam Thompson Secretary of State – John Merrill Senate Candidates Senate District 2         Bill Holtzclaw Senate District 3         Arthur Orr Senate District 4         Paul Bussman Senate District 5         Greg Reed Senate District 8         Steve Livingston Senate District 9         Clay Scofield Senate District 10       Phil Williams Senate District 12       Del Marsh Senate District 13       Gerald Dial Senate District 14       Cam Ward Senate District 15       Slade Blackwell Senate District 16       Jabo Waggoner Senate District 21       Gerald Allen Senate District 25       Dick Brewbaker Senate District 27       Tom Whatley Senate District 29       Melinda McClendon Senate District 30       Clyde Chambliss Senate District 31       Jimmy Holley Senate District 32       Trip Pittman Senate District 34       Rusty Glover Senate District 35       Bill Hightower State Board of Education District 2 – Barry Sadler District 6 – Cynthia McCarty District 8 – Mary Scott Hunter House Candidates House District 2         Lynn Greer House District 4         Micky Hammon House District 5         Dan Williams House District 6         Phil Williams House District 7         Ken Johnson House District 8         Terri Collins House District 9         Ed Henry House District 10       Mike Ball House District 11       Randall Shedd House District 12       Mac Buttram House District 13       Bill Roberts House District 14       Richard Baughn House District 15       Allen Farley House District 16       Kyle South House District 17       Mike Millican House District 20       Howard Sanderford House District 21       Jim Patterson House District 22       Wayne Johnson House District 24       Nathaniel Ledbetter House District 25       Mac McCutcheon House District 26       Kerry Rich House District 27       Will Ainsworth House District 30       Mack Butler House District 31       Mike Holmes House District 34       David Standridge House District 35       Steve Dean House District 36       Randy Wood House District 38       Randy Price House District 40       K.L. Brown House District 41       Mike Hill House District 42       Kurt Wallace House District 44       Danny Garrett House District 45       Dickie Drake House District 47       Jack Williams House District 48       Jim Carns House District 49       April Weaver House District 51       Allen Treadaway House District 55       Rod Scott House District 58       Oliver Robinson House District 61       Alan Harper House District 62       Rich Wingo House District 63       Bill Poole House District 64       Harry Shiver House District 65       Elaine Beech House District 66       Alan Baker House District 71       AJ McCampbell House District 73       Matt Fridy House District 74       Dimitri Polizos House District 75       Reed Ingram House District 79       Mike Hubbard House District 80       Lesley Vance House District 81       Mark Tuggle House District 82       Pebblin Warren House District 86       Paul Lee House District 87       Donnie Chesteen House District 88       Paul Beckman House District 89       Alan Boothe House District 90       Charles Newton House District 91       Barry Moore House District 92       Mike Jones House District 93       Steve Clouse House District 94       Joe Faust House District 95       Steve McMillan House District 96       Randy Davis House District 97       Adline Clarke House District 99       James Buskey House District 100     Victor Gaston House District 101     Chris Pringle House District 102     Jack Williams House District 104     Margie Wilcox House District 105     David Sessions *Congressional Candidates U.S. Senate – Jeff Sessions First District – Bradley Byrne Second District – Martha Roby Third District – Mike Rogers Fourth District – Robert Aderholt Fifth District – Mo Brooks Seventh District – Terri Sewell