>>> WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THE 2022 MIDTERM ELECTIONS ARE IN THE BOOKS.

MOST OF ALABAMA'S STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICES WERE ON THE BALLOT, AS WAS EVERY LEGISLATIVE SEAT.

REPUBLICANS HAD A BIG NIGHT AT THE POLLS WINNING EVERY STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICE FROM GOVERNOR TO ATTORNEY GENERAL ALL THE WAY TO STATE AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

MAKING HISTORY ON TUESDAY WAS KATIE BRITT WHO BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN FROM ALABAMA ELECTED TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

IN HER VICTORY SPEECH, SHE PROMISED TO BE A VOICE FOR AL VALUES AND INTERESTS IN WASHINGTON.

>> WHAT I WANT YOU TO HEAR FROM ME TONIGHT IS THAT I WANT TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

IT'S NOT LOST ON ME THAT THAT'S LIKELY WHY ALABAMA IS SENDING A MAMA TO THE U.S. SENATE TO ACTUALLY GET THINGS DONE.

I WANT TO ACHIEVE REAL POSITIVE RESULTS AND MAKE OUR GREAT STATE AND NATION STRONGER FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] I'M NOT GOING TO SUGAR COAT IT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY BUT I WILL REMIND YOU THE WORDS THAT GOT US INTO THIS RACE -- GOD CALLS US TO DO HARD THINGS.

>> ALSO CELEBRATING VICTORY WAS GOVERNOR KAY IVEY, WHO WON OVER 67% OF THE VOTE.

SHE TOLD SUPPORTERS TO EXPECT NEW IDEAS AND PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION AND MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT.

>> YES, I'M GOING TO FIGHT EVERY DAY TO CONTINUE TO MAKE ALABAMA THE BEST STATE IN AMERICA TO LIVE, WORK, RAISE A FAMILY AND, YES, PLAY FOOTBALL.

[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE] I LOOK FORWARD WORKING WITH EVERYBODY TO ENSURE THAT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS ARE EVEN BRIGHTER THAN THE LAST FOUR.

WE EXPECT TO SET HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR AMERICAS SO WE CAN BE NOT JUST A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR GROWTH IN OUR REGION BUT THE ENTIRE WORLD.

UNDER MY LEADERSHIP, ALABAMA'S GOVERNMENT WILL ALWAYS REFLECT THE VALUES OF ALABAMIANS -- LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, OPPORTUNITY FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO TO THE TENNESSEE RIVER.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL ALSO CELEBRATED REELECTION TUESDAY.

HE COMMITTED TO WORK ON REDUCING VIOLENT CRIME OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

>> THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT ALABAMA IS WILLING TO FIGHT TO DEFEND ITS VALUES, TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND ITS WAY OF LIFE.

BECAUSE HERE'S THE OTHER REALITY, ARE WE WILLING TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THE MOST HOSTILE PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION CONSERVATIVE STATES HAVE SEEN IN DECADES?

ARE WE, AS LEADERS -- ARE WE, AS LEADERS, WILLING TO REJECT THEIR LIBERAL DEMANDS THAT OUR CITIZENS HAVE REJECTED AND ARE WE WILLING TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THE ANTI-INCARCERATION MOVEMENT THAT MINIMIZES LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ATTACKS OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES LESS SAFE.

FOR ME THAT ANSWER IS YES.

I STAND READY AND RELISH THE FIGHT.

THAT'S WHY I CHOSE TO SEEK A SECOND TERM.

>> IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, THERE WERE ONLY A HANDFUL OF COMPETITIVE SEATS AS MOST DISTRICTS NOW LEAN HEAVILY TO ONE PARTY OR THE OTHER.

BUT THERE WERE TWO DISTRICT FLIPS.

DEMOCRATS PICK UP A SEAT IN MONTGOMERY AFTER PHILIP ENSLER DEFEATED REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT CHARLOTTE MEADOWS, AND REPUBLICANS PICKED UP A SEAT AFTER RICK REHM DEFEATED DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT DEXTER GRIMSLEY.

THAT MEANS THE PARTY BREAKDOWN OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE REMAINS EXACTLY THE SAME FOR THE NEXT TERM.

IN THE HOUSE, THERE WILL BE 77 REPUBLICANS AND 28 DEMOCRATS.

IN THE SENATE, THERE WILL BE 27 REPUBLICANS AND EIGHT DEMOCRATS.

BOTH CONSTITUTE SUPERMAJORITIES FOR THE GOP.

THERE WILL BE 37 NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S MEANS 26% OF THE LEGISLATURE WILL CONSIST OF FRESHMAN LAWMAKERS.

THERE WILL BE FIVE NEW WOMEN ELECTED TO THE HOUSE.

HOWEVER, THE OVERALL NUMBER OF WOMEN REMAINS AT 20 DUE TO RETIREMENTS OR DEFEATS.

THERE WILL BE FOUR WOMEN SERVING IN THE SENATE, ONE FEWER THAN LAST TERM.

THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE WASTED NO TIME PICKING THEIR LEADERSHIP FOR THE NEXT TERM.

IN THE SENATE, THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES AS PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED AND MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD WERE EACH REELECTED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE RACES WERE COMPETITIVE IN THE HOUSE GOP CAUCUS, AS THE RETIREMENT OF HOUSE SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON BROUGHT ON OPEN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.

REPRESENTATIVE NATHANIEL LEDBETTER OF RAINSVILLE WAS CHOSEN BY THE CAUCUS TO BE THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT STADTHAGEN OF HARTSELLE WAS ELECTED MAJORITY LEADER AND REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS PRINGLE OF MOBILE WON THE RACE FOR SPEAKER PRO TEM.

ALABAMA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WILL ALSO REMAIN SPLIT AT SIX REPUBLICANS AND ONE DEMOCRAT AS EACH OF THE INCUMBENTS RUNNING WERE REELECTED.

HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE A NEW CONGRESSMAN JOINING THE DELEGATION.

DALE STRONG, A COUNTY COMMISSIONER FROM HUNTSVILLE, WON HIS ELECTION TO CONGRESS FROM ALABAMA'S 5TH DISTRICT.

HE SUCCEEDS CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS WHO GAVE UP THE SEAT TO RUN FOR SENATE.

FINALLY, ALABAMA VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT, CHIEF AMONG THEM BEING THE RECOMPILATION OF THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF AND REMOVING RACIST LANGUAGE, WHICH PASSED WITH ALMOST 75% OF THE VOTE, AND ANIAH'S LAW, WHICH GRANTS JUDGES MORE AUTHORITY TO DENY BAIL TO THOSE ACCUSED OF VIOLENT CRIMES, PASSED WITH OVER 80% OF THE VOTE.

THIS WEEK, "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH VISITED TWO MONTGOMERY COLLEGE CAMPUSES TO GET STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE.

SHE STOPPED BY FAULKNER UNIVERSITY, A PRIVATE, CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY AND ALABAMA STATE, A PUBLIC, HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITY.

NEXT WEEK, WE WILL HEAR FROM THE STUDENTS AT FAULKNER.

BUT FIRST, THE STUDENTS FROM ASU.

>> HOW DO THE STUDENTS ON THE CAMPUS OF THE ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY FEEL ABOUT THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE?

WE ASKED AND THEY ANSWERED.

QUESTION ONE -- AS A COLLEGE STUDENT, WHAT ISSUES CONCERN YOU?

>> FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS STUDENT DEBT FORGIVENESS AND AS WELL AS NATIONALLY, I THINK WE SHOULD TRY TO FOCUS ON REGULATING OUR INSURANCE RATES AND THE INFLATION RATES AND MAKING SURE ONCE I GET OUT OF COLLEGE, I DON'T GET OUT OF COLLEGE INTO A JOB MARKET THAT'S IN A RECESSION.

>> MENTAL HEALTH, I FEEL MENTAL HEALTH ISN'T GIVEN THE ATTENTION IT NEEDS TO BE.

AND MY GENERATION IS TRYING TO SPEAK OUT ON IT AND TRYING TO STOP GENERATIONAL TRAUMA.

>> STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS ALL OF US, AS BLACK PEOPLE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> QUESTION TWO -- WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO LAWMAKERS ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

>> TRY NOT TO BE PERFORMATIVE IN THE LEGISLATION THEY PERFORM SO WE CAN, MOVING FORWARD, HAVE MORE EQUALITY INSTEAD OF KIND OF CHECKING BOX ON A TO-DO LIST.

>> THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, IT'S A BIG STIGMATISM WHEN SOMEONE TALKS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, WHETHER ADHD OR SCHIZOPHRENIA OR DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER, ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.

THEY WERE TO SIT DOWN AND DELVE DEEPER INTO WHAT IT IS LIKE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND HOW IT AFFECTS EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY.

>> LISTEN TO US.

I THINK A LOT OF TIMES IN POLITICS PEOPLE MAKE ASSUMPTIONS ON WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE, LISTENING TO OTHER PEOPLE HELPS YOU TO UNDERSTAND, OKAY, THIS IS HOW WE NEED TO CATER THIS TO BE EFFECTIVE.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNTRY.

>> IT IS STAGNATING AND I'M DISAPPOINTED OF THE RESULTS OF THE SENATOR ELECTION AND THAT HERSCHEL WALKER BEING THAT CLOSE TO WARNOCK.

>> I'M DISAPPOINTED FOR THE WAY THE ELECTIONS TURNED OUT FOR SOME OF THE STATES AND I'M TERRIFIED ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND THE VOTING RIGHTS AND THE TOPIC OF SLAVERY IS COMING UP AS A MEANS OF HELPING IN PRISONS.

>> I HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE RED WAVE FOR REPUBLICANS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I HEARD A LOT OF THAT LEADING UP TOP THE ELECTIONS WILL AND GENERATION Z HAD A BIG PART IN HOLDING IT OFF A LITTLE BIT.

I HAVE HEARD IT IS MORE OF A RIPPLE.

THAT IS EXCITING BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO VOTE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE AND ARE REMIND OF THE PEOPLE THAT CAME BEFORE YOU TO FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND GOOD THAT WE SHOWED OUT AND DID WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO.

>> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH >>> A RESCUE MISSION IN SELMA.

IN A PLACE KNOWN FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, ONE PIECE OF HISTORY IS NOW IN NEED OF HELP TO SURVIVE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> THE SUN SHINES DOWN ON BROWN CHAPEL AME CHURCH AND REVEALS SCAFFOLDING AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF RENOVATIONS AND FOR TOURISTS WANTING TO SEE IT, IT IS OKAY BECAUSE IMPORTANT WORK IS BEING DONE.

>> IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

IT IS A PIECE OF HISTORY AND IMPORTANT TO SEE IT LOOKED AFTER THAT MAKES US FEEL HAPPY THAT IT IS LOOKED AFTER.

>> THE PROJECT IS TO GENERATION THIS HISTORIC LANDMARK BUT UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE TASK GREW FROM $1.9 MILLION TO $6 MILLION PROJECT DUE TO WATER AND TERMITE DAMAGE.

>> SOME OF THE FUNDING IS FROM FEDERAL GRANTS.

THE FOUNDATION IS ACTUALLY WORKING -- AND THE WAY COMPANIES IS TRYING TO RAISE PROFIT FUNDING TO REACH OUR GOAL.

>> WHAT WE ARE SEEING TODAY ARE THE WOODEN COUPE LAS ON THE BELL TOWER THAT HAD ON THE RECONSTRUCTED.

THE TERMITE DAMAGE WAS INTO THE DOMED ROOF.

>> THE CHURCH HERE AS SEEN MANY HISTORIC MOMENTS ON ITS GROUNDS AND MANY HISTORIC PEOPLE WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS OVER THE YEARS.

THE LATEST CHAPTER IS ABOUT TO BE WRITTEN AND IT INVOLVES TLC.

>> WE TAKE IT DOWN.

TAKE THE TOWER DOWN ON THE GROUND AND START TO DISSECT IT TO GET SOME PARTS THAT I COULD USE TO TAKE HOME TO MY FACILITY BACK IN BALDWIN COUNTY TO REBUILD THE TOWER AND DOME ITSELF.

>> THESE MONUMENTS IN PLACE AND AFTER THEY DO THAT YOU HAVE TO FINISH THE WORK INSIDE.

GET ALL OF THAT DONE WHERE THE TERMITES HAVE BEEN EATING.

>> HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE?

>> DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER.

>> IT GIVES CONSTRUCTION WORKERS A CHANCE TO PUT ONE BELL TOWER BACK WHERE IT BELONGS GETTING THE RENOVATION UNDER WAY.

NEXT I'M JOINED BY NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, NEWLY SELECTED SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.

I WAS WONDERING WHAT TO ADDRESS YOU AS.

DO WE CALL YOU SPEAKER ELECT?

CONGRATULATIONS BEING SELECTED BY THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AS THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

VERY HUMBLING.

>> TAKE ME INSIDE THE MEETING.

IT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IN MONTGOMERY.

CAUCUS CAME TOGETHER.

SPEAKER, MAJORITY LEADER DOWN THE LIST OF ROLES.

WHAT WAS YOUR PITCH TO THE CAUCUS TO ASK THEM TO ELECT YOU AS THE NEXT SPEAKER?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS -- WE WORK WITH ALL OF THE MEMBERS COMING IN.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS WITHIN THE DISTRICTS AND CREATE A LOT OF RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH THE LAST SIX YEARS, BEING MAJORITY LEADER.

OUR CAUCUS ELECTIONS -- WE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THEM.

BECAUSE OF THE TIMES AS MUCH AS ANYTHING WE HAD A GOOD TEAM AND PART OF THAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BUILDING WE HAD DONE OVER THE YEARS.

THE OTHER THING THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS WE TRY TO DO WHAT WE TELL THEM WE ARE GOING TO DO AND BE FAIR.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

I THINK THE IDEALS WE HAD GOING FORWARD HELPED US SOME.

I THINK THERE'S SOME OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE.

I THINK WE HAVE HAD A GOOD RUN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND I THINK THAT'S HELPED.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR TRACK RECORD, AS A HOUSE, WITH EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE FOR THE STATE AND HAVE MADE A LOT OF THINGS HAPPEN.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT GOVERNOR IVEY TALKS ABOUT, THE JOBS ACT WE PASSED $40 BILLION INVESTED IN THE STATE AND A LOT OF THAT, THE CULMINATION OF THAT WAS GOOD.

>> THIS IS AN INTERNAL VOTE, ONLY IN THE CAUCUS.

NOT LIKE YOU ARE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

IT IS A PRIVATE MEETING.

ALL OF US ON THE OUTSIDE, THE RUMOR MONGERS, IF YOU WILL, ALL WE KNOW ARE THE RUMORS, BUT IS IT REALLY A CONTENTIOUS VOTE.

YOU ARE ALL REPUBLICANS.

IT WAS BETWEEN YOU AND MR. CLOUSE.

IS IT CONTENTIOUS OR ARE YOU ALL FRIENDS RUNNING AGAINST EACH OTHER?

>> IT WASN'T CONTENTIOUS.

THE THING THAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS -- IT GETS WHERE YOU HEAR A LOT OF RUMORS AND STUFF THAT IS NOT TRUE AND UNFOUNDED AND I READ SOME OF THAT IN YOUR COLUMN, BY THE WAY.

>> RIGHT.

>> I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION A LITTLE BIT.

YOU MAY HAVE ONE OR TWO MEMBERS THAT MAY BE FOR ME AND THEY GET ANTSY WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN AND SOME MEMBERS THAT MAY BE FOR CHAIRMAN CLOUSE AND THEY MAY GET ANTSY.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WAS CORDIAL AND CHAIRMAN GARRETT CONDUCTED THE MEETING.

I USUALLY DO THE CAUCUS MEETINGS BUT I STEPPED BACK AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE FAIR THING TO DO.

CHAIRMAN GARRETT IS UNDER ME AND HE RAN THE MEETING AND DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB.

I THINK THEY WENT THROUGH A DRESS REHEARSAL THE DAY BEFORE.

HE HAD A METHODOLOGY SET UP FOR EVERYTHING TO GO FORWARD.

IT WAS CORDIAL.

EVERYBODY WAS GOOD.

I LOOK FORWARD TO EVERYBODY GETTING BACK TOGETHER ON THE SAME PAGE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S STILL POLITICS.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS SAID AND DONE, EVEN THOUGH INTERNAL RACE, A LOT IS SAID AND DONE TO TRY TO GET FAVOR FOR ONE CANDIDATE OR THE OTHER.

I'M GLAD THAT'S BEHIND US.

AS FAR AS THE MEETING INSIDE IT WAS JUST AS CORDIAL AS ONE COULD BE AND RUN AS SMOOTHLY AS I HAVE EVER SEEN ONE.

>> I KNOW THE INITIAL FLOOR VOTE WILL COME TO THE ORGANIZATION IN JANUARY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHAT ABOUT COMMITTEE, SETTING COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIPS AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE ROLES?

>> WE WILL START THE CONVERSATIONS NOW BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GET PREPARED AND YOU GO FROM THERE AND GET THROWN INTO WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO LAY THE GROUND WORK AND SEE WHERE WE ARE GOING.

THE CAUCUS TOOK A VOTE YESTERDAY, WHOEVER THEIR NOMINEES WAS THAT THEY WERE SUPPORTING ON THE FLOOR, IT WAS UNANIMOUS, OUT OF 77 MEMBERS OF THE 105, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A VOICE VOTE THEY HAVE AGREED AND RATIFIED AND WILL SUPPORT WHOEVER THEIR NOMINEE WAS.

WITH THAT SAID, WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD AND START THE PROCESS OF PUTTING -- WE HAVE A LOT TO DO.

IF YOU THINK OF IT, TODD, WE HAVE LOST A TON OF LEADERSHIP WITH THE SPEAKERS AND RULES CHAIR AND MAJORITY LEADER AND VICE CHAIR.

IT'S AMAZING.

I DON'T THINK I'VE SEEN A TIME SINCE PROBABLY 2010 THAT WE HAVE HAD THIS KIND OF CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP.

>> AND CLERK.

>> AND A NEW CLERK.

SO, IT IS QUITE A BIT TO DO.

WE HAVE TO START PUTTING STAFF TOGETHER, THE CHAIRS TOGETHER, THE COMMITTEES CAN TOGETHER.

WE WILL SET DOWN AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS PRETTY SOON.

I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS TIME TO BREATHE AND GET BACK TO NORMAL SOME.

>> I'M SURE THAT OVER THE YEARS AND EVEN RECENTLY YOU HAVE PROBABLY SPENT TIME WITH THE CURRENT SPEAKER, MAC MCCUTCHEON, ABOUT POSSIBLY ASSUMING THIS ROLE.

HOW MIGHT YOU BE DIFFERENT IN YOUR APPROACH THAN HE HAS BEEN OVER THE LAST SIX OR SEVEN YEARS?

>> LET ME FIRST SAY, MAC MCCUTCHEON DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB.

HE'S ONE OF THE BEST MEN I HAVE EVER KNOWN.

HE'S A MAN OF CHARACTER AND DIGNITY.

I HOPE I CAN FOLLOW IN THOSE FOOTSTEPS.

I THINK MAC, EVERYBODY WILL GOVERN DIFFERENT.

I THINK MY STYLE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN HIS.

WE WILL PROBABLY BE -- I AM MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD THAN I SHOULD BE AND I THINK IT CARRIES OVER TO THE LEADERSHIP.

WE HAVE A TON OF GOOD FOLKS THAT WILL BE STEPPING UP INTO THOSE ROLES AND I'M EXCITED FOR THEM.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE YET.

WE DIDN'T PROMISE A BUNCH OF CHAIRMANSHIPS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD HURT US GOING DOWN THE ROAD.

NOW WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH ALL OF THOSE OPEN THAT WE CAN SET THOSE POSITIONS FOR PEOPLE TO FIT THEIR PERSONALITIES.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

I REMEMBER DOWN AT THE BCA CONFERENCE, YOU MADE THIS COMMENT.

YOU WERE ASKED ABOUT WHAT ARE THE BIG ISSUES FACING THE STATE AND YOU DIDN'T MINCE WORDS.

YOU SAID EDUCATION.

I SAW EYEBROWS RAISE ACROSS THE ROOM.

I THINK THAT COMMENT GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN EMPHASIZING THAT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

SHE TALKED ABOUT IT IN HER VICTORY SPEECH.

WHAT PROPOSALS DO YOU THINK WE MIGHT SEE REGARDING EDUCATION NEXT SESSION OR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS?

>> I THINK IT'S A PROCESS WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

WE DIDN'T BECOME 49th AND 50th OVERNIGHT.

SO WE WON'T FIX IT OVERNIGHT.

WE CANNOT COMPETE FOR JOBS IN THE 21ST CENTURY WITHOUT FIXING OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

IT'S NOT THE EDUCATORS' FAULT.

THEY DO A GOOD JOB.

WE HAVE TO REBRAND SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING.

WE STARTED IN THE LAST SESSION -- WE HAD A HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEE AND WE'D MEET ONCE A WEEK.

I CO-CHAIRED IT WITH SENATOR SCOFIELD.

WE CAME UP WITH EIGHT BILLS WE PASSED LAST SESSION AND IT WAS TO MOVE THE NEEDLE.

I THINK WE'RE SEEING THAT.

THE LITERACY ACT WILL BE BENEFICIAL PUTTING AIDES IN K-3.

WE START THAT NEXT YEAR.

I THINK IT WILL BE BENEFICIAL.

I THINK IT'S A LOT OF SMALL THINGS.

THERE WILL BE SOME OF EVERYTHING.

THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME CHARTERS, SCHOOL CHOICE, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FIX IT.

I THINK WE HAVE TO QUIT THINKING ABOUT TRYING TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT JUST BROADLY CHANGES EVERYTHING.

>> NO SILVER BULLET.

>> NO SILVER BULLET.

WE HAVE AREAS IN OUR STATE, THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THOSE EDUCATIONS IS TO GO INSIDE THE WALLS OF THE CLASSROOMS AND FIX IT FAIR.

THERE'S IN NOTHING WE CAN PASS AS LEGISLATORS TO TRY TO FIX A BROAD APPROACH.

WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT WILL FIX THEM INSIDE THE WALLS.

I THINK IT IS CRUCIAL.

IN MY MIND, LIKE I SAID AT BCA, I THINK THAT IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW THE MEMO FROM GOVERNOR IVEY, TO AGENCY HEADS ASKING THEM TO TAKE STOCK OF THEIR STATE VEHICLE FLEET AND REPORT HOW THEY ARE BEING USED.

THE REASON I AM BRINGING IT UP IS IT SIGNALED FROM HER ADMINISTRATION MAYBE A LEAN INTO BELT TIGHTENING AT THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL.

GETTING A REIN ON STATE SPENDING.

I THOUGHT IT WAS CURIOUS AND WONDERED WHAT YOU THOUGHT FROM THE LEGISLATIVE ANGLE CONSIDERING WE MIGHT BE HEADING INTO RECESSION AND BUDGETS HAVE BEEN FLUSH, RECORD BUDGETS, BUT DO YOU SEE MORE BELT TIGHTENING HAPPENING DOWN THE ROAD?

>> I THINK IT IS SMART.

I REALLY DO.

WE HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE.

WE CAN'T JUST DO WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A BROADER VISION THAN THAT.

ONE THING I'VE STRESSED WITH OUR CHAIRMAN IS WE OUGHT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE BUDGET.

EVEN THOUGH IT IS FLUSH AND YOU AND I TALKED EARLIER, I THINK SOMETIMES FOR BUDGET CHAIRS IT'S EASIER WHEN WE DON'T HAVE A FLUSH BUDGET BECAUSE WE HAVE MONEY THAT HAS TO GO TO CERTAIN AGENCIES AND THEY PUT IT THERE.

WHEN YOU HAVE A FLUSH BUDGET, EVERYBODY WANTS A LITTLE MORE.

WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS OF THAT.

I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO TRY.

THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT GIVING A ONE-TIME TAX BREAK OR REBATE TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA WHICH I'M FOR.

I SUPPORT THAT.

I THINK WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS HOW WE DO IT.

OUR EDUCATION TRUST FUND IS UP THE 6% THIS YEAR, SOME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I THINK THERE IS A DOWNTURN COMING FROM THE ECONOMY WITH INFLATION BEING WHAT IT IS AND INTEREST RATES GOING UP I THINK IT WILL SHOW THE ECONOMY DOWN.

IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF GOING FORWARD.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE ISSUE OF FENTANYL.

WE HAVE SEEN A CRAZY EXPLOSION OF FENTANYL, ADDICTION, ABUSE AND DEATHS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

IS THERE A LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION TO THIS?

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

>> I THINK SO.

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT RIGHT NOW.

I TALKED TO ALLEN TREADAWAY, THE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF THE CITY, USED TO BE AND THE DEATH IS UP 400%.

IT IS AFFECTING RURAL AREAS LIKE MINE.

IT IS AFFECTING TEENAGERS AND KIDS IN SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY ARE LACING IT IN OTHER DRUGS AND IT'S AN EPIDEMIC.

IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO.

WE HAVE TO PASS A LAW.

PEOPLE KNOW IF YOU PUT FENTANYL IN ALABAMA YOU WILL WIND UP IN JAIL THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS KILLING OUR KIDS.

IT IS THE UPMOST IMPORTANCE AND SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY.

>> WE WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE SESSION, REGULAR SESSION IN MARCH.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SELECTION AS THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> THANK YOU, TODD, APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ NEXT, I'M JOINED BY JOHN WAHL, CHAIRMAN OF THE ALABAMA REPUBLICAN PARTY.

MR. CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> WELL, WE'RE STILL GOING THERE I THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

IT WAS A BIG ELECTION, MIDTERM, BUT IN ALABAMA IT'S NOT REALLY A MIDTERM.

ALL OF OUR ELECTIONS ARE ON THE BALLOT OR MOST OF THE STATE OFFICES ARE ON THE BALLOT, STATE LEGISLATURE, STRONG RESULTS FOR YOUR PARTY IN ALABAMA.

WHAT'S YOUR TAKEAWAY FROM THE ELECTION RESULTS AS CHAIRMAN?

>> IT WAS A GOOD NIGHT HERE IN ALABAMA.

WE NOT ONLY WON EVERY STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICE BY A GOOD MARGIN -- SOME WERE RECORD NUMBERS, WE HELD A SUPER MAJORITY IN THE STATEHOUSE AND SENATE.

WHAT I LOVE IS LOOKING AT THE LOCAL RACES ARE.

WE WERE ON THE BALLOT IN COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD RACES, COUNTY COMMISSION, SHERIFF, DA RACES ACROSS THE STATE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS WE PICKED UP 43 SEATS ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

YOU KNOW, IT GOES BACK TO THAT NATIONALLY SOME OF THE THINGS WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE BETTER BUT HERE IN ALABAMA WE DID SEE A RED WAVE.

>> STATEWIDE RESULTS ALL REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES.

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE ONE-PARTY RULE IT COMES WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY TO GOVERN.

YOU CAN'T BLAME THE OTHER SIDE SO MUCH.

>> VERY TRUE.

VERY TRUE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK REPUBLICAN VOTERS EXPECT FROM THEIR ELECTED LEADERS GOING INTO THIS TERM, ESPECIALLY HERE IN MONTGOMERY.

>> I THINK THE SAME THING BOTH SIDES WANT TO SEE OUT OF GOVERNMENT.

WHEN YOU THINK OF THE PEOPLE, REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS WE ALL WANT TO BE SAFE, SUCCESSFUL AND GOOD FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

THAT'S ACROSS THE BOARD.

WHEN I LOOK AT POLICY, THAT'S WHAT I LOOK AT.

WHAT POLICIES BEST ACCOMPLISH THOSE GOALS.

THAT'S WHY I'M PROUD TO BE A REPUBLICAN.

WHEN I THINK OF THAT I SEE THE REPUBLICAN ISSUES, THE CONSERVATIVE VALUE BEST REPRESENTING THAT.

WE SEE WHAT IS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C., WHETHER THE EDUCATION AGENDA OR THE FISCAL POLICIES AND THOSE BAD POLICIES HAVE REAL WORLD CONSEQUENCES.

WE SEE THAT AT THE GROCERY WITH INFLATION.

WE SEE IT AT THE GAS PUMP WITH GAS PRICES.

I THINK WE SEE IT IN OUR EDUCATION WITH NUMBERS IN ALABAMA HAVING PLUMMETED.

THOSE ARE THE ISSUES I'M LOOKING AT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

AS A PARTY AND STATE, CAN WE PUT FORTH POLICIES THAT WILL HELP THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA BE SUCCESSFUL?

>> WELL, LOOKING NATIONALLY, ZOOMING OUT A BIT, THERE WERE SOME HIGH EXPECTATIONS NATIONALLY.

FOR REPUBLICANS, TALKING ABOUT THE RED WAVE LEADING UP TO THE ELECTION.

IT WAS REFLECTED IN POLLING.

IT STARTED TO TREND MORE REPUBLICAN BUT IT DIDN'T MATERIALIZE, OR NOT TO THE EXTENT THAT SOME PREDICTED.

REPUBLICANS WILL PROBABLY HOLD THE HOUSE MAJORITY BUT NOT BY THE 20 OR 30 VOTES, ONLY TEN OR FEWER VOTES.

SENATE STILL IN DOUBT.

WE MAY NOT KNOW UNTIL GEORGIA.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RED WAVE?

>> THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION AND SOMETHING REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL BE LOOKING INTO AND DIGGING INTO THE ELECTION RESULTS STATE BY STATE, DISTRICT BY DISTRICT TO SEE WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AREAS WE DID WELL AND WHERE WE DIDN'T DO AS WELL.

I KNOW ONE THING, I FOUND VERY MUCH INTERESTING WERE THE RESULTS HERE IN ALABAMA BUT ALSO IN FLORIDA.

WHAT RON DeSANTIS DID FOR GOVERNOR WHERE HE INCREASED HIS NUMBERS SIGNIFICANTLY.

I DON'T REMEMBER THE FINAL NUMBER, 60% REMARK IN A SWING STATE.

>> USED TO BE THE SWING STATE.

>> YOU ARE WINNING BY ONE OR TWO PERCENT AND THEN HE WINS BY 20 POINTS AND I WATCHED HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AND FOUND SOME THINGS HE SAID THAT WERE VERY TELLING TO ME AND INSPIRING FOR REPUBLICANS.

THINGS LIKE DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE A CONSERVATIVE.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO STAND FOR VALUES.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE DO.

WE, AS A PARTY NEED TO TAKE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BE BOLD, BE STRONG.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO OPPOSE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OR THESE WOKE POLICIES.

THERE'S ALWAYS A TEMPTATION GO MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE.

I THINK RON DeSANTIS HAS SHOWED WHAT PLEASES THE MAJORITY, HE WON'T WITH INDEPENDENTS AND REPUBLICANS AND LEANING MORE CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS.

I THINK THAT'S THE MESSAGE MOVING FORWARD FOR THE PARTY.

LOOK AT THE VALUES AND WHAT WE REPRESENT.

WHAT DO WE STAND FOR AND THEN BE BOLD ABOUT IT.

TAKE IT OUT THERE.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO OPPOSE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO STAND FOR ISSUES LIKE SCHOOL CHOICE OR OPPOSING SOME OF THE WOKE POLICIES COMING OUT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

NO I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THE PARTY COULD DO TO COMMUNICATE THAT MESSAGE.

WHAT WE CAN DO TO ENGAGE THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> SPEAKING OF DeSANTIS, WE REPORTED THIS INTERESTING POLL FROM SIGNAL ABOUT THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY HERE IN ALABAMA.

TRUMP HAD A STRONG LEAD BUT NOT A MAJORITY.

AND THEN YOU HAD FLORIDA GOVERNOR DeSANTIS A STRONG SECOND.

WHEN YOU TOOK TRUMP OUT OF THE EQUATION, DeSANTIS DOMINATED THE FIELD.

I KNOW 2024 IS A LONG WAY AWAY, DO YOU SENSE AFTER THIS ELECTION THAT VOTERS HERE IN ALABAMA, REPUBLICAN VOTERS ARE READY TO MOVE BEYOND TRUMP AND SEEING DeSANTIS AS THE HEIR APPARENT?

>> I THINK BOTH OF THOSE GENTLEMEN WITHIN THE PARTY ARE EXTREMELY POPULAR.

IF YOU WOULD TAKEN THAT REVERSE AND TAKEN DeSANTIS OUT OF THE POLL T TRUMP PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD THE SAME MARGIN.

>> TRUE, WE DIDN'T ASK THAT QUESTION.

>> BUT THOSE ARE BOTH SEEN AS FIGHTERS AND SEEN WILLING TO GET OUT THERE AND FIGHT FOR THEIR VALUES AND WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE ELECTORATE IS LOOKING FOR.

IT DIDN'T SURPRISE ME WE SEE THEM TWO AS FRONTRUNNERS.

WE ARE ALL WATCHING TRUMP.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, DO YOU THINK HE IS GOING TO DO IT?

>> THAT'S THE QUESTION EVERYONE IS ASKING.

I THINK HE SAID THE 15th OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> INCLUDING DeSANTIS.

>> THE ENTIRE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT -- DOES HE PULL THE TRIGGER AND GET INTO THE RACE?

I KNOW HE WOULD LIKE TO.

I KNOW PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGING HIM AND SOME ENCOURAGING HIM NOT TO.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE IT GOES.

WHETHER HE RUNS OR NOT, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WILL HAVE A GREAT CAST OF CANDIDATES.

YOU HAVE HIM AND RON DeSANTIS AND DOWN FROM THERE YOU HAVE GOOD UP AND COMERS ON THE REPUBLICAN AND YOU DON'T SEE THAT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHERE THE NATIONAL POLITICS GO.

ANOTHER GIANT QUESTION BEING DOES JOE BIDEN RUN FOR RE-ELECTION OR DO WE SEE HIM HAVE A CHALLENGER IF HE DOES?

>> YEAH, THAT'S INTRIGUING THINKING OF A POTENTIAL 2024 MATCHUP IS THE SAME MATCHUP AS IN 2020.

I DON'T KNOW, KIND OF UNBELIEVABLE.

>> IF DONALD TRUMP CHOOSES TO RUN, IT WILL BE -- HE WILL VERY MUCH BE THE FRONT RUNNER TO GET THE NOMINATION.

I THINK HE WOULD BE HARDER TO BEAT AS FAR AS WINNING THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION.

>> DO YOU THINK THE ELECTION CHANGES ANY OF THAT?

THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT TRUMP BAG DRAG ON THE TICKET.

DO YOU THINK REPUBLICANS MAY SAY, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.

>> I KNOW THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE HAPPENING.

I HEARD SOME FOLKS TALKING ABOUT THAT ON TALK RADIO THIS MORNING.

THEY ARE SAYING HOW DOES THE ELECTION PSYCH YOU WILL AFFECT THE IMPACT.

SOME OF THE CANDIDATES HE HAD ENDORSED DID NOT DO AS WELL.

THAT'S ALSO ONE -- THERE ARE SOME THAT DID DO WELL BUT HOW DID THEY DO WELL IN THE PRIMARIES AND VERY WELL IN THE PRIMARIES.

IN THE END THAT DECIDES THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.

>> THAT'S WHERE THE POWER IS AT.

>> YEAH.

>> WHILE YOU ARE HERE, I HAVE TO ASK ABOUT THE VOTER I.D.

SITUATION.

YOU WERE IN THE NEWS FOR T BASICALLY YOU PRESENTED A DIFFERENT VOTER I.D.

THAN A TRADITIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE.

>> ONCE OR TWICE I HAD MY -- I WAS WORKING IN THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AS A PRESS SECRETARY ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS.

I HAD THAT I.D.

AND A COUPLE OF TIMES HAD SHOWN THAT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND ASKED IF IT WAS OKAY AND SINCE THEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAID HE DOESN'T MEET THE STANDARDS.

OBVIOUSLY, I WILL NOT DO THAT AGAIN BUT NO, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS -- SOMETHING I HAD WORKING IN THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

>> WHEN YOU VOTE ON TUESDAY, DRIVER'S LICENSE.

>> CORRECT.

>> I'M GLAD YOU CLEARED THAT UP.

MR. CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

>>> NEXT, I'M JOINED BY TABITHA ISNER, VICE CHAIR OF THE ALABAMA DEMOCRAT RICK PARTY.

MADAM VICE CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> WE DID REACH OUT TO CHAIRMAN KELLY TO ASK HIM.

WE DIDN'T HEAR BACK.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON AND YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A LOT TO TALK ABOUT FROM THIS ELECTION.

LET'S START WITH THE ALABAMA RESULTS HERE STATEWIDE.

A DISAPPOINTING NIGHT FOR YOUR PARTY FOR THE MOST PART.

REPUBLICANS SWEPT STATEWIDE.

WHAT DO YOU TAKE AWAY FROM TUESDAY, AND WHERE DOES THE PARTY GO FROM HERE?

>> THE BIG NEWS I THINK FROM TUESDAY IS THE TURNOUT.

TURNOUT WAS VERY LOW IN ALABAMA, BOTH FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS BUT PARTICULARLY FOR ALABAMA DEMOCRATS.

TURNOUT WAS VERY LOW.

I THINK THE REASON IS FOLKS DIDN'T FEEL THEY HAD RACES THAT MATTERED, WHERE THEIR VOTE WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IF IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, IT IS HARD TO GET OUT OF BED OR TAKE TIME OFF OF WORK TO VOTE IN AN ELECTION THAT IS PRE-DECIDED.

>> THERE'S BEEN TALK OVER THE YEARS OF BRINGING AN EARLY VOTE TO ALABAMA LIKE THEY HAVE IN OTHER STATES.

I THINK TECHNICALLY YOU HAVE ABSENTEE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ABSENTEE.

DO YOU THINK IT WOULD HELP WITH TURNOUT?

>> I DO THINK IT WOULD HELP.

I KNOW SEVERAL WHO CALLED THE PARTY HOTLINE ON ELECTION DAY WHERE SOMETHING CAME UP UNEXPECTEDLY.

THEY HAD TO LEAVE THE STATE OR THEY WERE IN THE HOSPITAL AND UNABLE TO VOTE.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT EARLY VOTING OR ABSENTEE VOTING ADDRESSES.

YOU DON'T KNOW AHEAD OF TIME THOSE THINGS WILL HAPPEN, SO YOU CAN'T ASK AHEAD OF TIME FOR THAT EARLY VOTE.

>> LOOKING BACK, IT HASN'T BEEN THAT LONG SINCE DEMOCRATS WERE COMPETITIVE AND SUCCESSFUL STATEWIDE.

THEY HELD THE MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE UNTIL 2010, NOT THAT LONG AGO.

HAD CANDIDATES LIKE DOUG JONES, SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE FOR SENATE, WALT MADDOX COMPETITIVE FOR GOVERNOR.

HOW DO YOU GET BACK TO THAT LEVEL OF COMPETITIVENESS AS A PARTY?

>> I THINK PART OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE CULTURE IN ALABAMA WHICH IS ACCUSTOM TO BAG ONE-PARTY STATE.

FOR A LONG TIME, A REPUBLICAN WOULD BE FOOLISH TO RUN AGAINST A DEMOCRAT AT THAT TIME AND NOW WE HAVE FLIPPED.

I THINK IT'S A VICIOUS CYCLE THAT WE PUT OURSELVES IN WHERE A CANDIDATE IS PERCEIVED AS NOT BEING VIABLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY AND RESOURCES AND A WAR CHEST TO WORK WITH, BUT THEY HAVE TROUBLE RAISING MONEY AND BUILDING SUPPORT BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T SEE THEM AS VIABLE.

THE EXAMPLES YOU GAVE, SENATOR JONES WAS ELECTED IN AN UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE IN 2017.

IT WAS A SPECIAL ELECTION AT A TIME WHEN THERE HAD BEEN OVER HIGH-PROFILE SPECIAL ELECTIONS AND HE WAS RUNNING AGAINST A HECK OF AN OPPONENT IN ROY MOORE.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT GAVE PEOPLE A LOT OF HOPE THAT SOMETHING WAS CHANGING IN ALABAMA BUT WHAT WE SAW WHEN 2018 CAME IS THERE WAS A SLATE OF GREAT CANDIDATES THAT WERE EXCITED ABOUT BUILDING ON THAT DOUG JONES MOMENTUM AND THEY RAISED A LOT OF MONEY.

WE HAD THREE CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES WHO RAISED A HALF MILLION OR MORE.

WE HAD CANDIDATES TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE.

THERE WAS A PALPABLE ENERGY IN THE AIR.

BUT THE REALITY IS THE RESULTS WERE TERRIBLE IN 2018.

THE FEELING WAS BETTER.

WE FELT WE HAD SOMETHING TO BE EXCITED ABOUT BUT THE RESULTS WERE JUST AS BAD.

THAT'S REALLY ABOUT STRAIGHT-TICKET VOTING.

WE TEND TO HAVE A CULTURE HERE OF NOT PAYING A LOT OF ATTENTION TO POLITICS BECAUSE WE ASSUME THEY ARE OUT OF OUR CONTROL.

SO, YOU KNOW, WALT MADDOX IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

PEOPLE TALK A LOT ABOUT HOW GREAT THAT CAMPAIGN WAS.

CERTAINLY MADDOX DID A GREAT JOB AND RAN A GREAT RACE AND SOMEBODY WHO HAD NAME RECOGNITION, WAS ABLE TO RAISE BIG MONEY ON THAT, BUT THE RESULTS WERE JUST AS BAD FOR HIM AS OTHER CANDIDATES.

JUST BECAUSE WE FELT GOOD ABOUT IT, BUT IT DIDN'T CHANGE THE FACT, CHANGE THE OUTCOME.

THAT'S BECAUSE OF STRAIGHT-TICKET VOTING.

>> SO VIBES DON'T WIN ELECTIONS.

>> VIBES DON'T WIN ELECTIONS.

>> LET'S LOOK NATIONALLY AND ZOOMING OUT A BIT.

A LOT OF TALK LEADING UP TO THE ELECTION ABOUT A RED WAVE AND REPUBLICANS WERE GOING TO DOMINATE.

IT WAS REFLECTED IN POLLING BUT IT DIDN'T MATERIALIZE.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO PROBABLY CONTROL THE HOUSE, BY A SLIM MARGIN AND THE SENATE WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL THE GEORGIA RUNOFF.

LOOKING OUTSIDE OF ALABAMA, WHAT DO YOU TAKE AWAY AS A DEMOCRAT FROM THAT ELECTION?

>> THERE WERE A LOT OF REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES AT STAKE NATIONALLY.

THERE WERE IMPORTANT ISSUES AT STAKE IN ALABAMA, AS WELL BUT THE DIFFERENCE THAT -- NATIONALLY THERE WERE RACES THAT WERE GOING TO BE TIGHT.

THERE WERE STATES THAT WERE SWING STATES.

THERE WERE DISTRICTS THAT HAD A REASON DOCTOR THE DEMOGRAPHICS WERE GOING TO BE CLOSE.

IN ALABAMA WE DON'T HAVE COMPETITIVE RACES.

THERE ARE ONLY FIVE SEATS IN THE ALABAMA STATEHOUSE THAT ANYONE COULD DESCRIBE AS COMPETITIVE.

THERE ARE ONLY TWO IN THE ALABAMA STATE SENATE THAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS COMPETITIVE AND STATEWIDE WE ARE A RED STATE WHERE NONE OF THE CANDIDATES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO OVERCOME THAT STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING.

I THINK THE DIFFERENCE IS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL THOSE RACES MATTER.

PEOPLE KNEW THEIR VOTE MATTERED AND OF COURSE THEY SHOW UP IN DROVES WHEN THEY BELIEVE THEY ARE GOING TO BE HEARD, THAT THEIR VOICE IS GOING TO MATTER.

>> WELL, ONE OF THOSE ISSUES WAS ABORTION.

THIS IS INTERESTING TO ME.

GO BACK TO THE DOBBS DECISION OVER THE SUMMER.

IT WAS MONUMENTAL AND EVERYBODY THOUGHT, WOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE FACTOR IN THE ELECTION, BUT IN THE MONTHS AFTER THAT IT KIND OF WANED AS AN ISSUE AND POLLING SHOWED THAT, BUT I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE RESULTS OF TUESDAY, IT ABSOLUTELY PLAYED A VERY BIG FACTOR ESPECIALLY IN THE SWING DISTRICTS AND SWING STATES.

>> WOMEN, IN PARTICULAR, I THINK FIND IT EXHAUSTING TO TALK ABOUT ABORTION.

IT'S NO LESS IMPORTANT THAN IT WAS THE DAY THAT DOBBS CAME DOWN, BUT IT HURTS OUR SOULS DAY AFTER DAY TO THINK ABOUT THE RIGHT THAT WE HAVE LOST.

NOT ONLY IS IT EMOTIONALLY TAXING TO CONSTANTLY BE THINKING ABOUT THAT, THINKING AND TALKING ABOUT THAT, BUT IT'S ALSO -- IT'S AN ISSUE THAT AS IT'S BECOME MORE AND MORE -- AS THESE LAWS HAVE PASSED -- IN ALABAMA, IF YOU HELP SOMEONE GET AN ABORTION YOU MIGHT BE CRIMINALLY LIABLE.

THAT'S MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR WOMEN TO TALK, EVEN TO ONE ANOTHER, ABOUT THEIR FEARS.

I CAN'T SAY TO A FRIEND, I'M TERRIFIED, WHAT WOULD I DO?

WHAT WOULD I DO IF I NEEDED TO GET AN ABORTION.

IF A WOMAN CAME TO ME AND SAID, I NEED TO GET AN ABORTION, WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ME?

IF I HELP HER, I PUT MYSELF AT RISK FOR PRISON TIME.

SIGNIFICANT PRISON TIME.

SO, WOMEN NOT ONLY FEEL LIKE A RIGHT HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY BUT THEY HAVE BEEN SILENCED, EVEN FROM TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER THAT IS SO CORE TO OUR ABILITY TO CONTROL OUR REPRODUCTION.

THE FACT YOU DON'T HEAR WOMEN TALKING ABOUT BOORS AS MUCH AS YOU USED TO IS NOT BECAUSE IT IS NOT STILL INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AND RAW FOR ALL OF US.

BUT BECAUSE THERE ARE NOW SCARY CONSEQUENCES FOR TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

YEAH, MAYBE THAT'S WHY IT DIDN'T REFLECT IN THE POLLING.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE, I HAVE TO ASK ABOUT THE INTERNAL PARTY PROBLEMS THAT EXISTED FOR THE ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY OVER THE YEARS.

YOU HAD A CHAIRMANSHIP CHANGE WHEN CHRIS ENGLAND CAME IN THAT WAS A SHIFT IN GENERATIONS FROM THE OLD JOE REED GENERATION TO THE YOUNGERS AND NOW IT HAS SHIFTED BACK A BIT FROM THE DIFFERENT FACTIONS.

HOW DOES THE PARTY MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE TWO FACTIONS COMPETING AND WHERE DO YOU GO FROM HERE?

>> WHAT YOU SAID IS IMPORTANT.

IT IS ABOUT RACE AND ALSO GENERATIONS, ABOUT AN OLD GUARD AND NEW GUARD.

I THINK IT'S DIFFICULT WHEN SOME PEOPLE SEE IT AS A GENERATIONAL DIVIDE AND SOME SEE IT AS A RACIAL DIVIDE.

WE HAVE TROUBLE DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM IN THE SAME WAY.

CERTAINLY I THINK THE SOLUTION IS OBVIOUS THAT WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

THAT'S SO MUCH EASIER SAID THAN DONE, OF COURSE.

I DON'T KNOW ANYONE IN THE ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHO DOESN'T WANT TO SEE THE PARTY UNITE.

I DON'T KNOW ANYONE WHO'S IN THE OLDER CREW WHO DOESN'T WANT YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE TABLE.

I DON'T KNOW ANYONE IN THE WHITE PARTY WHO DOESN'T WANT BLACK PEOPLE AT THE TABLE AND VICE-VERSA.

WE ALL WANT TO BE TOGETHER.

WHAT STANDS IN OUR WAY ARE OLD TAPES THAT PLAY IN OUR HEAD, AND HISTORICAL REALITIES OF HOW WE HAVE TREATED EACH OTHER AND THE GENERAL FEAR OF BEING DISENFRANCHISED.

WHEN EVERYONE COMES TO THE TABLE AFRAID OF LOSING THEIR SEAT AT THE TABLE, PEOPLE HAVE THEIR HANDS CLUTCHED ON TO THEIR SEATS RATHER THAN EXTENDED TO TALK TO ONE ANOTHER.

SO, WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS A LOT OF DEFENSIVE MANEUVERING INSTEAD OF PROACTIVE EFFORT TO MOVE THE PARTY FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME BUT REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪ >> THIS YEAR, ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION WILL BE BROADCASTING THE SUPER 7 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.

JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT IT IS ALVIN BRIGGS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> IT IS A PLEASURE.

GLAD YOU INVITED ME DOWN.

>> WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT BROADCASTING THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ON APTV.

SEEMS LIKE A PERFECT FIT.

HOW DID THE ARRANGEMENT COME ABOUT?

>> JACK GREEN CAME TO SEE ME IN EARLY AUGUST AND HE HAD GONE TO GEORGIA PUBLIC TELEVISION AND SAW THEY WERE PUBLICIZING AND CARRYING THE GEORGIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

FOR US, IT'S A GREAT FIT.

WE WERE NOT ABLE TO COVER THE STATE AND NOW WE CAN COVER THE ENTIRE STATE OF ALABAMA FROM NORTHWEST ALABAMA TO SOUTHWEST AND NORTHEAST TO SOUTHEAST.

WE HAVE OUR ENTIRE STATE COVERED.

NO ONE WILL BE WITHOUT SEEING THEIR FAVORITE PEOPLE PLAYING IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, DO YOU THINK MORE PEOPLE OVERALL WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH THE GAMES THAN IN YEARS PAST?

>> OH, YES.

IN THE YEARS PAST WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET POCKETS AND IT DEPENDS ON WHAT CARRIER YOU HAD, BUT WITH PUBLIC TELEVISION EVERYBODY HAS IT.

IT IS AMAZING.

I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO WORK IT OUT AND GET EVERYTHING WORKED OUT.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT GIVES OUR FANS IN ALABAMA TO SEE THEIR FAVORITE TEAMS PARTICIPATE.

>> I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE IN YEARS PAST I WANTED TO WATCH BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT CABLE PACKAGE OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

I CAME UP IN PRATTVILLE.

SO THEY USED TO BE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ALL THE TIME.

WE'D WANT TO TUNE IN.

SO HAVING IT ON PUBLIC TELEVISION SEEMS TO REALLY MAKE SENSE.

I KNOW YOU MENTIONED IT BEING IN AUBURN THIS YEAR.

THE SUPER 7 ROTATES THROUGH DIFFERENT COLLEGE STADIUMS, RIGHT?

WHERE ARE WE ON THE ROTATION?

>> THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR OF A THREE-ROTATION COLLEGE.

JUST A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THAT.

RON ANDERS FROM AUBURN WHO WAS AUBURN TOURISM CAME WHEN THE SUPER7 WAS IN BIRMINGHAM ABOUT HAVING PART OF THE BASKETBALL BUT HE DIDN'T LIKE WHAT WAS GOING ON IN BIRMINGHAM.

NO IMPROVEMENTS TOP THE FIELD AND STILL SOME ISSUES.

HE OFFERED RON AND DON OVER THE SPORTS AND TOURISM NEW TUSCALOOSA TO COME DOWN AND THEY TALKED ABOUT IT.

HOW THAT'S YOU ENDED UP BEING ON AUBURN AND ALABAMA CAMPUS FOR THE GAMES AND THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM WANTED TO GET IN.

LAST FALL IN '21 WE HAD THE THREE SCHOOL ROTATION IN BIRMINGHAM.

THIS YEAR IN AUBURN AND WE WILL ROTATE.

IT IS AN AWESOME POSSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE AND GROWING.

WE HAVE OTHER UNIVERSITIES WANTING TO GET INVOLVED IN THE ROTATION.

WE'RE EXCITED.

IT GIVES EVERYBODY A CHANCE, AS WE SEE OUR FANS, TO GET ON CAMPUSES THEY WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE ON AND GIVE THE COMMUNITIES A CHANCE TO SHINE THOSE COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ON CAMPUSES THEY WOULD NEVER NORMALLY BE AROUND.

>> FOR THE LAYERS, PLAYING AT THOSE STADIUMS IS A DIFFERENT FEELING THAN YOUR NORMAL FRIDAY NIGHT.

>> IT IS.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT IT, THOSE KIDS -- THOSE STADIUMS OPEN UP EVERYTHING TO US.

SO IT'S LIKE THEY ARE THEIR HOME STADIUM, THE HOME TEAM IS IN THE HOME LOCKER ROOM AND VISITING TEAM IN THE VISITING LOCKER ROOM AND THEY COME OUT OF THE TUNNEL THE SAME WAY IN TUSCALOOSA AND THEY GET EXCITED AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS AND ACTION AND VIDEO BOARDS ARE ALL SHOWCASING THEM AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

IT'S EXCITING.

IT'S A JOY TO SEE THEIR FACES WHEN THEY COME OUT OF THE TUNNEL.

>> I'M CURIOUS.

HOW DOES THE STATE DETERMINE WHO IS THE HOME AND VISITING TEAM AT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS?

>> BASED ON BRACKETS.

IT IS DRAWN THROUGH THE BRACKETS AND THROUGHOUT THE PLAYOFFS IS HOW IT IS DETERMINED.

IT'S NOT PREDETERMINED BUT THE BRACKETS ARE SET EVERY YEAR AND THE QUADRANTS ROTATE.

IT IS NOT THE SAME ON THE BRACKETS.

IT COULD BE A DIFFERENT ONE BUT THAT'S HOW IT IS DETERMINED.

>> THE SUPER 7 NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE 7 CLASSIFICATIONS.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS GROWING UP IT WAS 6 AND BEFORE THAT 5.

WHAT DOZE INTO DETERMINING HOW THESE CLASSIFICATIONS -- I KNOW SCHOOL SIZE BUT WHY DOES IT KEEP GROWING?

>> IT'S THE DEMOGRAPHICS AND EVERYTHING BETWEEN THE CLASSIFICATIONS.

OUR BOARD, THE BOARD MEETS EVERY TWO YEARS TO REVIEW THE CLASSIFICATION BASED ON THE SCHOOL SIZE AND WHERE WE ARE GOING AND A CHANCE TO SPREAD EVERYTHING OUT MORE AND WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP IT AS BALANCED AS POSSIBLE.

>> SO, WHEN IT COMES TO FOOTBALL, I KNOW AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL, THE GAME HAS BEEN CHANGED BY THIS TRANSFER PORTAL, THE NAME IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

IT REALLY ROCKED COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

I'M CURIOUS.

HAS THAT TRICKLED DOWN TO HIGH SCHOOL AT ALL TO IMPACT THE GAME AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL?

>> WE REALLY HAVEN'T FELT IT YET.

I THINK PARTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE MANEUVERABILITY WITH THE NIL, THE NCAA AND THE SCHOOLS HAVEN'T GOT A HANDLE ON IT.

THE TRANSFER PORTAL, THEY HAVE DONE DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT USED TO BE A WIDE-OPEN DEAL AND NOW CLOSED TO WHEN YOU CAN TRANSFER AND DO THINGS AND THE REALITY IS THE SCHOOLS ARE MORE SELECTIVE ON WHAT THEY CAN DO TO TRANSFER PORTAL BECAUSE THERE'S -- JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION, THERE'S A REASON WHY THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LEAVING.

YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE INTRIGUING TO WATCH THAT HAPPEN.

IT'S -- I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WILL IMPACT LATER, BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVEN'T FELT AN IMPACT AND WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON IT.

>> REALLY IS AMAZING TO WATCH ALL OF THAT PLAY OUT.

PLAYERS ARE REALLY IN CHARGE NOW, RIGHT?

THEY ARE KIND OF IN CHARGE OF THEIR DESTINY MORE THAN IN THE PAST.

SPEAKING OF THAT, YOU HAVE HAD A FOOTBALL LIFE, FOOTBALL CAREER.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR BACKGROUND COMING UP IN FOOTBALL AND COACHING?

>> WELL, LIKE YOU, I PLAYED SMALL TOWN, GREENVILLE, ALABAMA, AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ON GOOD TEAMS.

I HAD A CHANCE TO GO PLAY AT AUBURN FOR COACH DYE AND LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE A PART OF TWO SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS THERE.

AND PLAYED WITH SOME GREAT PLAYERS AND HAD A CHANCE TO STEIN A FREE AGENT CONTRACT WITH THE DALLAS COWBOYS AND TOM LANDRY WAS THERE.

I PLAYED FOR HIGH SCHOOL.

I PLAYED FOR GREAT COACHES AND HAD GREAT TEAMMATES THAT WERE AROUND ME.

WE HAD A LOT OF FUN.

FROM THERE, ENDED UP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA WITH MY FORMER POSITION COACH.

WE WERE THERE AND LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE A PART OF FOUR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THREE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH SOME GREAT PLAYERS AND GREAT COACHES.

IT WAS AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY.

I WAS ABLE TO BE A PART OF A LOT OF GREAT THINGS THROUGHOUT FOOTBALL.

>> I KNOW FOOTBALL ISN'T THE ONLY SPORT GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S VOLLEYBALL, CROSS COUNTRY, SWIMMING AND DIVING.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE REST OF FALL SPORTS.

>> WE FINISHED THE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN BIRMINGHAM AND THAT WAS GREAT.

HAD 54 GREAT GAMES.

SEVEN GREAT VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.

THIS PAST WEEKEND WE HAD OUR CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE JESSIE OWENS FACILITY.

IT IS A NATIONALLY RUN FACILITY.

AND IT WAS A GREAT TURNOUT AND HAD SOME BRACKETS BROKEN.

OF COURSE, WE STARTED FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS.

WE HAVE SECTIONAL SWIM MEET STARTING NEXT WEEKEND.

GETTING READY FOR THE STATE SWIM MEET.

THAT IS THE SAME WEEKEND AS SUPER 7.

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF ACTION AT AUBURN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS OF NOVEMBER, FIRST TWO DAYS OF DECEMBER IN AUBURN.

WE WILL ROUND OFF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND OF COURSE WE HAVE A BASKETBALL STARTING AND INDOOR TRACK.

IT IS IN OF ONE END AND STARTING WINTER SPORT SEASON.

IT'S AN EXCITING TIME.

>> EXCITING AND PROBABLY BUSY FOR THE ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALABAMA'S MILITARY VETERANS ON THIS VETERANS DAY.

WE ARE EVER GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS GREAT COUNTRY.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.