>> HELLO, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE ARE NOT IN OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO THIS WEEK, AS IT IS UNDERGOING A MUCH NEEDED TECHNICAL UPGRADE.

THANKS TO FUNDING FROM THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, THE UPDATES WILL ALLOW US TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY OF THE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" COVERAGE YOU COUNT ON.

BUT, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A FEW MORE WEEKS TO COMPLETE, SO BEAR WITH US AS THE SHOW HAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT LOOK BUT HOPEFULLY ALL THE SAME QUALITY.

ON TO THE NEWS.

SOME DRAMA IN THE U.S. SENATE THIS WEEK INVOLVING ALABAMA'S SENIOR SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE.

FOR MONTHS, TUBERVILLE HAS BEEN HOLDING UP THE PROMOTIONS OF MILITARY OFFICERS IN PROTEST OF THE PENTAGON'S POST-DOBBS POLICY OF PAYING FOR SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS TO RECEIVE ABORTIONS OUT OF STATE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE LONG OBJECTED TO TUBERVILLE'S HOLD BUT THIS WEEK SOME OF HIS REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WENT TO THE SENATE FLOOR TO VOICE THEIR OBJECTIONS TO HIS TACTICS.

SENATORS JONI ERNST OF IOWA, LINDSEY GRAHAM OF SOUTH CAROLINA, DAN SULLIVAN OF ALASKA AND TODD YOUNG OF INDIANA - ALL FORMER MILITARY - PLEADED WITH TUBERVILLE TO ALLOW THE SERVICE NOMINEES TO ADVANCE AND TAKE ANOTHER APPROACH TO FIGHT THE PENTAGON'S POLICY.

DURING A FOUR-HOUR DEBATE ON THE FLOOR, TUBERVILLE DID NOT BUDGE.

>>>U.S.

SENATOR KATIE BRITT WAS.

>> WE STAND FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE OF OUR SOCIETY, THE UNBORN.

I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES HERE SHARE THAT CONVICTION.

THE DISAGREEMENT WE'RE HAVING TODAY IS ABOUT TACTICS.

SO LET ME EXPLAIN WHY I'M DOING THIS, HOW WE GOT HERE AND WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.

NINE MONTHS AGO, THE PENTAGON ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD START USING OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS FACILITATE ABORTION.

LET ME SAY IT AGAIN, NINE MONTHS AGO, THE PENTAGON ANNOUNCED, ANNOUNCED BY MEMO, THEY WOULD START USING OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO FACILITATE ABORTION.

THE PENTAGON IS PAYING FOR TRAVEL AND EXTRA TIME OFF FOR SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS TO GET ABORTIONS.

>> WE HAVE COURTS.

IF YOU THINK THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING ILLEGAL, GO TO COURT.

THAT'S HOW YOU HANDLE THESE THINGS.

THE PENTAGON HAS ISSUED A LEGAL OPINION, I DISAGREE WITH, SAYING IT DOESN'T VIOLATE THE AMENDMENT.

I DISAGREE WITH IT.

HERE'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

YOU HAVE JUST DENIED THIS LADY A PROMOTION.

YOU DID THAT.

ALL OF US ARE READY TO PROMOTE HER BECAUSE SHE DESERVES TO BE PROMOTED.

SHE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS POLICY.

LET ME SAY IT AGAIN.

EVERYBODY IN THIS BODY COULD FIND AN ISSUE WITH ANY ADMINISTRATION THEY DON'T AGREE WITH, AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS OPEN PANDORA'S BOX.

TODAY IS ABORTION POLICY.

IF WE TAKE BACK THE WHITE HOUSE, WE WILL GO BACK TO THE MEXICO CITY POLICY, LIMITING DOLLARS TO BE GIVEN TO OVERSEAS ENTITIES ENGAGING IN ABORTION BUSINESS.

SOME PRO CHOICE PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THAT.

>> THE DAY AFTER THAT FLORIDA DEBATE, THE SENATE DID CONFIRM THREE TOP MILITARY OFFICERS, INCLUDING THE FIRST FEMALE CHIEF OF STAFF WITH TUBERVILLE'S SUPPORT.

REPUBLICANS PLAN TO HAVE A CLOSED-DOOR MEETING TO MEET ON MILITARY NOMINATIONS AND THE ABORTION ISSUE.

>>> U.S.

SENATOR KATIE BRITT WAS IN MONTGOMERY THIS WEEK OFFERING A WASHINGTON UPDATE TO THE MONTGOMERY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

SHE TOUCHED ON A NUMBER OF TOPICS, INCLUDING HER FOCUS ON FIXING THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

>> A NATIONAL SECURITY CRISIS IS HAPPENING ON OUR BORDER EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WE'RE AT THE POINT NOW THAT UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN'S TENURE, IF WE KEEP GOING, WE WILL HIT OVER 10 MILLION PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME ACROSS OUR BORDER DURING HIS PRESIDENCY.

WHEN YOU STACK THEM UP, IT WOULD BE THE 11TH LARGEST STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WHAT WE ARE DOING IS UNSUSTAINABLE, NOT TO MENTION INHUMANE BECAUSE IT'S THERE THAT I TALKED TO BORDER PATROL AGENTS WHO TELL ME ABOUT PULLING LIFELESS BODIES OF KIDS AND MOTHERS FROM THE RIVER AND TALK TO YOUNG WOMEN WHO TELL YOU NOT JUST THEY WERE RAPED BUT HOW MANY TIMES A DAY THEY WERE RAPED.

AND THEN YOU TALK TO MEN WHO TELL YOU HOW MUCH THEY PAID, WHAT THEIR JOB IS AND HOW MUCH MORE THEY HAVE TO GO.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW IN THIS COMMUNITY WE HAVE DRUG CARTELS COMING AROUND EVERY OTHER WEEK TO COLLECT WHAT THEY ARE OWED.

THESE PEOPLE AREN'T LIVING AN AMERICAN DREAM.

THEY ARE LIVING AN AMERICAN NIGHTMARE.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE TERRORIST, IT IS OPEN SEASON FOR DRUG CARTELS, HUMAN TRAFFICKER AND TERRORISTS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE TERRORIST WATCH LIST SINCE SEPTEMBER THAT WERE CAUGHT AT THE BORDER IT IS 18.

I WANT YOU TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE.

WE HAVE HAD 1.5 MILLION KNOWN GOT AWAYS THAT HAVE COME ACROSS THE BORDER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THAT MEANS THAT WE SAW THEM ON A CAMERA, DETECTED THEM BUT NEVER TOUCHED GLOVES TO THEM.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE, WHERE THEY ARE GOING OR WHAT THEIR INTENTIONS ARE.

IN ORDER TO KEEP OUR HOMELAND SAFE AND SECURE, WE MUST SECURE OUR BORDER.

>> ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS, BRITT SHARED MORE FROM HER RECENT VISIT TO ISRAEL AND THE ONGOING CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

>> IT WAS THINGS THAT I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER SEE, MEANING THEY WERE BEYOND COMPREHENSION.

NUMBER ONE, MEETING WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE HOSTAGES AND JUST SEEING THEIR HEART HAD BEEN RIPPED OUT, AND THE UNCERTAINTY THEY WERE ALL FACING AND HOW THEIR WORLD HAD TRULY BEEN TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AND WITH THE LACK OF KNOWING WHEN THERE WOULD BE A RESOLUTION.

THEN MEETING WITH THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT AND ACTUALLY SEEING THOSE VIDEOS.

IT'S ONE THING TO READ ABOUT IT.

IT'S ONE THING FOR SOMEONE TO TELL YOU, BUT WHEN YOU WATCH IT OCCUR AND WHEN YOU WATCH THE BARBARIC ATROCITIES THAT THESE DISGUSTING, DESPICABLE TERRORISTS PUT ON THE INNOCENT PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, IT JUST REAFFIRMS YOUR RESULT IN STANDING WITH ISRAEL, ENSURING WE ERADICATE HAMAS.

NOTHING ELSE IS ACCEPTABLE.

THERE'S NO WAY THAT IF THESE THINGS HAPPENED IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE WOULD TUCK OUR KIDS IN AT NIGHT WITHOUT HAVING THAT RESOLVED.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO STAND SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER WITH ISRAEL AND ERADICATE HAMAS, NOT JUST FOR THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.

NOT JUST FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE BUT ALSO FOR THE INNOCENT PEOPLE OF GAZA.

THAT IS ULTIMATELY WHAT ALLOWS US TO HAVE PEACE AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL PEOPLE.

>>> AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK, A COMMISSION CONVENED BY HOUSE SPEAKER NATHANIEL LEDBETTER MET TO DISCUSS THE STATE'S LAGGING WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

WHILE UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINS AT RECORD LOWS, THE PERCENTAGE OF ABLE BODIED ALABAMIANS EITHER WORKING OR LOOKING FOR WORK IS AT 57% - AMONG THE LOWEST RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

COMMISSION MEMBERS EXPLORED THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE HAVE OPTED OUT OF THE WORKFORCE, INCLUDING LACK OF AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE, LACK OF EMPLOYER HEALTH INSURANCE AND POTENTIALLY LOSING THEIR BENEFITS.

>> WE HAVE GONE FROM BEING, I GUESS, NATIONAL AVERAGE, 65 WAS CLOSE TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AT THIS AT THAT TIME TO NOW BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY WHAT'S HAPPENED IN ALABAMA VERSUS OTHER STATES THAT HAS DRIVEN THAT DRAMATIC DECLINE?

>> PARTICULARLY WHAT HAPPENED IN ALABAMA IS OUR PRIME AGE MALE PARTICIPATION FORCE HAS GONE DOWN AND STRUCTURAL SHIFT IN EMPLOYMENT PATTERNS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF LACK OF A BETTER TERM CUT AND SOW OPERATIONS BUT WE DIDN'T MAKE A SINGLE AUTOMOBILE IN 1995 AND NOW WE'RE ABOUT TO, AT SOME POINT, GOING TO BECOME THE NUMBER TWO, NUMBER ONE AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING.

A LOT OF THINGS THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS DOING IS WORK WITH THE 25-54-YEAR-OLD GROUP TO GET THEM THE SKILLS AND TRAINING THEY NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN NEW JOBS.

>> WE STARTED RECRUITING FOR MERCEDES IN 1995 AND GOT 63,000 APPLICATIONS FOR 23 JOBS.

TODAY AT MERCEDES, STILL A REALLY GOOD PLACE TO WORK, IF WE PUT AN AD OUT FOR JOBS WE MIGHT GET A COUPLE THOUSAND.

I THINK SOME OF IT IS, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A LOT OF NEW JOBS HERE AND A LOT OF JOBS HAVE BEEN CREATED AND EXPANSIONS HAVE OCCURRED.

SO, THE NUMBERS ARE JUST WHAT THEY ARE.

>> THE ONLY WAY WE CAN FIND OUT WHAT THE HANDICAP IS OF HIRING PEOPLE AND GETTING GOOD EMPLOYEES FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS FINDING OUT WHAT ISSUES EVERYBODY HAS.

IT'S NOT ONE THING THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

THERE'S MANY THINGS OUT THERE HANDICAPPING US TO BE ABLE TO HIRE PEOPLE AND WHY PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING BACK IN THE WORKFORCE.

>>> VETERANS DAY IS NEXT WEEKEND, BUT THE CAPITAL CITY GOT A HEAD START WITH A CEREMONY HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES.

BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM FREEMAN, THE COMMANDANT OF AIR UNIVERSITY AND ALABAMA COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS AFFAIRS KENT DAVIS SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HONORING VETERANS, NOT JUST ON NOVEMBER 11TH BUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> SO THIS IS OUR SECOND EVENT CEREMONY HONORING THE VETERANS IN THE MONTGOMERY RIVER REGION.

WE'RE REAL PROUD TO DO IT.

WE KNOW THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST DEFENSE COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

WE WERE AWARDED THAT AND WE KNOW WHAT AN IMPORTANT ROLE OUR VETERANS HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE OUR NEIGHBORS.

THEY ARE OUR FRIENDS.

THEY ARE OUR COLLEAGUES AND COACHES AND WE'RE SO PROUD WE COULD SUPPORT AND RECOGNIZE THEM TODAY.

>> THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

YOU HEARD A COUPLE OF THEMES THERE FROM GENERAL FREEMAN AND OUR CHAIRMAN, CHAIRMAN BOONE ABOUT HOW FREEDOM ISN'T FREE.

IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY AND SERVICE AND RECOGNIZING THAT SERVICE.

ESPECIALLY AT TIMES LIKE THIS WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES OUT THERE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE MILITARY FOLKS, WE LIKE TO REMEMBER THOSE IN MILITARY UNIFORM THAT SERVE BUT THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL.

>> INNING ANDS OF VETERANS DAY, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS PROCLAIMED THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH AS MILITARY DAY IN ALABAMA.

SHE IS ENCOURAGING ALL SERVICE MEMBERS, INCLUDING ACTIVE DUTY, VETERANS, NATIONAL GUARDSMEN AND RESERVISTS, TO WEAR THEIR UNIFORM THAT DAY IF THEIR WORK ALLOWS IT.

>>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT HAS A FOLLOW UP STORY THIS WEEK ON CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS, WITH HELPFUL TIPS ON HOW TO PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION IN THIS DIGITAL WORLD.

>> THE INTERNET AND CYBERSPACE TOUCH EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES.

THIS ALONG WITH THE NEED TO STAY PROTECTED ARE CONSTANTLY EXPANDING SAY IT SPECIALISTS.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS CHANGING SECURITY PROBLEMS AND NEW VECTORS YOU HAVE TO GO AFTER AND TRAIN FOR.

IT IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE AND YOU HAVE TO STAY VIGILANT.

THERE'S NO SET IT AND FORGET IT.

>> I THINK THE VIEW YOU SHOULD TAKE FROM THIS IS THE MORE I KNOW ABOUT CYBER SECURITY, THE EASIER IT IS TO KNOW WHAT TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE THREATS OUT THERE ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> TONY IS THE CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF MONTGOMERY.

HIS JOB IS TO KEEP THE CITY'S CYBERSYSTEM SAFE FROM HACKERS AND OTHER DANGERS.

>> WE UTILIZE A BUNCH OF SOFTWARE TO KEEP US PROTECTED, KEEP THE NETWORK PROTECTED.

ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, WE BASICALLY KEEP THE CITY'S IT UP AND RUNNING FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT, SANITATION, EVERYWHERE.

WE PROTECT ALL OF THESE DEPARTMENTS.

>> HE SAID HE HAS SEEN CYBER INCIDENTS CLOSE TO MONTGOMERY BUT BELIEVES THE CAPITAL CITY IS SAFE.

>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WE UTILIZE THE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP THE NETWORK SECURE, ALONG WITH WORKING WITH MAXWELL, THE COUNTY, WE DO WORK WITH THE COUNTY, AND WE WORK WITH THE LIBRARY, THE MUSEUMS.

>> THERE'S NO PERFECT SAFETY IN THIS WORLD.

THERE ARE A LOT OF SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS AND MONITORS TO HELP WITH THAT BUT IT IS ABOUT STAYING VIGILANT AND ACTIVE.

>> BRADSHAW IS THE CEO OF SHAW TECHNOLOGY, A COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN CYBER SECURITY.

HE HAS A FEW TIPS FOR PEOPLE TO STAY SAFE DEALING WITH THE INTERNET.

>> ALWAYS HAVE ON YOUR MIND WHEREVER YOU PUT A PASSWORD OR YOUR INFORMATION, YOU NEED TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT IT AND REASSESS.

IF YOU HEAR STUFF IN THE NEWS, AGAIN, WE CAN'T PREDICT THE FUTURE YOU NEED TO REACT ACCORDINGLY.

>> ONE THING THESE EXPERTS AGREE ON IS SAFE PRACTICES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES.

>> STAY AWAY FROM ANY PHISHING EMAILS.

IF ANYONE EVER ASKS YOU FOR YOUR PERSONAL BANKING, PERSONAL INFORMATION THROUGH THE TELEPHONE OR OVER THE WEB, THAT'S A DEFINITE RED FLAG THAT YOU SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO.

>> ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS IS PEOPLE USE THE SAME PASSWORD IN PERSONAL PLACES AND IN TURN AFFECT OUR BUSINESS CUSTOMERS.

A LOT OF THE PERSONAL PLACES, FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, THEY CAN BE COMPROMISED AND THAT INFORMATION THEN USED TO GO INTO OTHER ASPECTS.

>> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK I'LL SIT DOWN WITH SECRETARY OF STATE WES ALLEN TO DISCUSS NEW MECHANISMS FOR VOTER INTEGRITY HIS OFFICE HAS ROLLED OUT.

LATER IN THE SHOW I'LL TALK WITH STEVE LIVINGSTON, THE NEWLY ELECTED MAJORITY LEADER IN THE ALABAMA SENATE ABOUT HIS NEW ROLE.

AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE JEREMY GRAY JOINS ME TO DISCUSS HIS BID FOR CONGRESS IN THE NEWLY REDRAWN SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THOSE INTERVIEWS WHEN WE COME BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS ALABAMA SECRETARY OF STATE WES ALLEN.

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

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

>> THANK YOU VERY HAVING US IN YOUR OFFICE WHILE WE DON'T HAVE A STUDIO HOME.

>> THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> LAST TIME I HAD YOU ON WAS DURING THE CAMPAIGN.

YOU HADN'T BEEN ELECTED AND YOU WERE STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM PIKE COUNTY WITH ONE DISTRICT AND NOW THE WHOLE STATE, YOU HAVE A BIG JOB.

HOW'S IT GOING?

HOW HAVE YOU ADJUSTED.

>> VERY HUMBLING EXPERIENCE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE UP TO THE STATE CAPITOL EVERY DAY KNOWING I REPRESENT OVER 5 MILLION PEOPLE OF OUR WONDERFUL STATE.

I TRAVEL TO EVERY COUNTY, EVERY CORNER, EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN, ALL 67 COUNTIES DURING THE CAMPAIGN.

JUST SOLIDIFIED WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE STATE, THAT WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE.

WE HAVE A GREAT STATE, A LOT OF RESOURCES AND JUST LOVE OUR STATE.

I'M PROUD TO BE FROM ALABAMA.

IT'S BEEN -- I HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE AND HUMBLED TO BE ABLE TO BE ELECTED AND TRUSTED WITH THIS OFFICE.

IT'S BEEN GOING GOOD.

WE HAVE WORKED HARD.

WE HAVE A GREAT STAFF PUT TOGETHER.

JUST TURN THEM LOOSE AND LET THEM GO TO WORK AND USE THEIR ENERGIES AND CREATIVE JUICES TO GO WORK AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN FOR THIS OFFICE BUT ALSO FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> YEAH, BIG PART OF IT IS BUILDING A TEAM.

>> YEP.

>> HERE WE ARE, IT IS ELECTION TIME AGAIN.

WE WERE JOKING BEFORE, IT IS ALWAYS ELECTION TIME AROUND HERE.

>> RIGHT.

>> LOOKING AT WE HAVE SPECIALS COMING UP.

WE HAVE THESE MIDTERMS WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

HOW DOES YOUR OFFICE GO ABOUT PREPARING FOR A BIG ELECTION BUT ALSO HAVING THESE ELECTIONS IN BETWEEN, AND YOU HAVE TO FOCUS ON THAT, TOO?

ARE WE READY FOR ALL OF THEM?

>> NO, WE ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING GETTING READY FOR ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE A GREAT DIRECTOR OF ELECTIONS IN JEFF ELROD AND HIS STAFF DO A TREMENDOUS JOB.

LISTEN, 2024 WILL BE A BIG YEAR.

A LOT OF EYEBALLS WILL BE ON IT AND IT IS A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR OF COURSE AND THE REDISTRICTING COURT ORDER FOR THE NEW MAPS.

WE ARE PUSHING THOSE OUT TO THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS AROUND THE STATE TO MAKE SURE WE GET THOSE MAPS IMPLEMENTED.

WORKING ALONGSIDE THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT RUN THE ELECTIONS, PROBATE JUDGES, CIRCUIT CLERKS, POLL WORKERS, REGISTRARS, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION, SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS IS A PLEASURE.

I KNOW THEY WORK HARD BECAUSE I USED TO BE A PROBATE JUDGE.

SO I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH IN PREPARATION FOR THE MARCH 5TH PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY.

LIKE YOU SAID, WE JUST HAD SOME SPECIAL ELECTIONS FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 16 AND HOUSE DISTRICT 55.

THEN WITH NEWS RECENTLY ABOUT SENATOR SCOFIELD RESIGNING AND GOING TO A DIFFERENT POSITION, THAT WILL OPEN UP A NEW SPOT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO RUN AND WE'RE GETTING PREPARED FOR THAT EVEN NOW.

WE WILL BE READY.

WE WILL BE READY.

>> I KIND OF MISSPOKE.

I SAID MIDTERMS, IT IS A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR.

IT IS MIDTERMS AS FAR AS LEGISLATURE.

WALK US THROUGH HOW IT WORKS.

SOMEONE RESIGNS FROM THE LEGISLATURE OR OTHERWISE VACATES.

THE GOVERNOR CALLS A SPECIAL ELECTION, BUT THAT IS FROM YOUR OFFICE AND THERE ARE CERTAIN DATES THAT ARE SET.

AND THERE'S A PROCESS, I'M SURE, THAT WORKS OUT.

WALK US THROUGH THAT PROCESS?

>> WE GET AN ADMINISTRATIVE CALENDAR PROPOSAL READY TO GO AND PRESENT TO THE GOVERNOR.

LEGAL STAFF TO GIVE THEM OPTIONS OF WHAT A SPECIAL ELECTION WILL LOOK LIKE AND HOW IT LINES UP.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS STATUTORILY THAT LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS HAVE TO GO BY AND WHAT WE HAVE TO GO BY AND WHAT WE ARE UNDER.

SO, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THOSE ARE READY AND WE ABIDE BY THE LAW AND WHAT THE LAW LAYS OUT FOR US HERE IN ALABAMA AND FEDERAL LAW AS WELL.

WE MAKE THE PROPOSALS THEN GOVERNOR WOULDS THE CALL.

>> THINKING OF THE LAST ELECTION, THE PRIMARY IN PARTICULAR, THERE WERE DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN DISTRICT AND IT WAS BLAMED ON REDISTRICTING.

SOME OF THE LINES CHANGED AND CERTAIN PRECINCTS HAD MISTAKEN VOTES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT IT WAS BLAMED ON REDISTRICTING.

NOW WE HAVE TWO NEW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

THE LINES HAVE CHANGED.

THANKFULLY MOST COUNTIES REMAINED INTACT BUT YOU HAVE IN MOBILE SOME PRECINCT LINES.

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT KIND OF THING DOESN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS REDISTRICTING SITUATION?

>> YEAH.

WE HAVE SIX COUNTIES THAT ARE SPLIT UNDER THE COURT ORDER PLAN THAT WE WERE HANDED.

WHEN WE FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE, AND WE REMEMBERED WHAT HAPPENED IN MAY AND JUNE OF 2022 WHEN YOU HAD SOME VOTERS SHOW UP AT THE PRECINCT AND PUT IN THE WRONG DISTRICT OR PRECINCT AND GIVEN THE WRONG BALLOTS.

THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

WE STARTED TO TRY TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO MAKE SURE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

ONE WAY IS MAKING SURE WE COULD MAKE AVAILABLE GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SOFTWARE, GII TO THE COUNTIES IN ALABAMA, IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT AND IF THEY WANTED TO UTILIZE IT AND PAYING FOR IT THROUGH THE HELP AMERICA VOTE FEDERAL FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL STATES.

FEDERAL FUNDING EVERY TWO YEARS.

IT EASES THE BURDEN ON COUNTY AND PICKS UP THE INSTALLATION AND TWO YEARS MAINTENANCE.

IT IS BASICALLY HELPING THESE COUNTIES AND BOARDS OF REGISTRARS MAKE SURE IT IS A MAPPING SOFTWARE SYSTEM.

MAKING SURE TODD STACY IS IN THE CORRECT PRECINCT SO THE PUBLIC CAN BE CONFIDENT THEY ARE GETTING THE RIGHT BALLOT.

ESPECIALLY FOR THE COUNTIES THAT ARE SPLIT.

WE ARE WORKING HARD AND DILIGENTLY WITH COUNTY OFFICIALS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE GIS SOFTWARE IN PLACE AND FOCUSING ON THE SIX COUNTIES THAT DON'T HAVE GIS TO GET THAT INFORMATION AND THAT SOFTWARE TO THE BOARDS OF REGISTRARS.

>> SWITCHING GEARS.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ALABAMA VOTER INTEGRITY DATABASE.

THIS IS A CHANGE FROM THE OLD SYSTEM.

WHEN YOU CAME IN TO OFFICE YOU SAID WE ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THAT ANYMORE.

YOU PROMISED TO CREATE YOUR OWN THAT IS A STATE-BASED SYSTEM.

YOU HAVE DONE THIS NOW.

TALK US THROUGH WHAT THIS DOES AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT?

>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, I WAS ON YOUR SHOW AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE TALKING ABOUT THE REASONS WE WERE GOING TO WITHDRAWAL FROM ERC.

WE LITIGATED THAT WHEN I RAISED MY HAND ON THE STEPS I SIGNED A LETTER AT THAT DESK ON DAY ONE, RIGHT AFTER I CAME OFF THE STAGE.

IT'S REAL EASY TO BLOW SOMETHING UP OR TEAR SOMETHING UP FOR THE SAKE OF DOING IT BUT I HAD IN MY MIND WE WEREN'T JUST GOING TO DO THAT BUT COME UP WITH AN ALABAMA-BASED SOLUTION AND TO BUILD SOMETHING AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE TAKING CARE OF VOTER FILE MAINTENANCE BECAUSE ELECTION INTEGRITY AND SECURITY AND YOU HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT IT SINCE 2020, IT'S THE TOP OF PEOPLE'S MIND.

THAT'S WHAT HEARD THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN.

MAKING SURE WE TAKE CARE OF VOTER FILE MAINTENANCE IS THE INTEGRITY.

IT IS LIKE DAILY HYGIENE.

I BORROWED THAT FROM ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES FRANK LA ROSE IN OHIO.

THE AVID SYSTEM IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO OTHER STATES THAT ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO.

IT IS A FOUR-PRONG SYSTEM.

WE'RE PROUD OF IT.

FROM DAY ONE WE WORKED ON IT AND IT'S TAKEN A TEAM EFFORT.

I'VE GOT SUCH A GREAT TEAM IN THIS OFFICE AND THEY HAVE WORKED SO EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE SURE WE GET THIS THING STOOD UP AND TAKE CARE OF VOTER FILE MAINTENANCE HERE IN ALABAMA AND PROTECT THE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA AND THAT'S WHAT AVID DOES.

>> YOU SAY VOTER FILE MAINTENANCE.

IF A VOTER DIES OR MOVES AWAY, THINGS LIKE THAT, MAKING SURE THEY ARE NO LONGER ON THE ROLLS AND MAKING SURE IF PEOPLE MOVE -- IS THAT WHAT YOU MEAN?

>> A LOT OF VARIABLES IN THERE.

EXACTLY RIGHT.

I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, THERE'S A FEDERAL LAW THAT WAS PASSED IN 1993, NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT THANKING PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SIGNED IN TO LAW.

IT TAKE FOURS YEAR TO MOVE SOMEONE OFF THE STATE VOTER LIST IF THEY HAVEN'T PASSED AWAY.

IF THEY PASS AWAY WE CAN REMOVE THEM INSTANTLY WHEN WE RECEIVE THE INFORMATION.

IF THEY HAVE RECEIVED A DRIVER'S LICENSE OUT OF STATE OR NATIONAL CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR OTHER INFORMATION THAT MAY COME TO OUR POSSESSION, IT TAKES FOUR YEARS TO SET THEM ON THE PROCESS.

WE HAVE TO SEND A POSTCARD AND ALERT THEM WE HAVE RECEIVED INFORMATION TO UPDATE OR PULL THEMSELVES OFF OF THE VOTER LIST.

IT'S AN EXTENSIVE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT THE VOTER BUT ALSO MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE CLEANEST AND MOST ACCURATE VOTING ROLLS FOR OUR STATE AND ALSO IN THE COUNTRY.

>> I REMEMBER THE OLD ERC SELF, ONE OF THE FEATURES WAS COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER STATES.

I GUESS YOU WOULD HAVE CALLED IT A BUG BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T CONFIDENT IN SOME OF THAT INTEGRITY.

SHARING INFORMATION WITH OTHER STATES SO THAT IF THEY MOVE TO THIS STATE, WE CAN COMMUNICATE AND HAVE THAT ROLE OR ARE WE STILL ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER STATES UNDER THIS SYSTEM?

>> THE FIRST PROBLEM WE ARE PROUD OF IS THE INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT WITH ALEA.

ANYTIME SOMEONE GETS A DRIVERS' LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE IT ALERTS ALABAMA.

WE ARE GETTING THAT DATA FROM ALEA, WHICH THE SECRETARY TAYLOR AND HIS TEAM HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS TO HELP WITH THIS PROJECT.

WE'RE DOING THAT.

SOME OF THE CRITICS HAVE SAID YOU ARE LEAVING A 31-STATE MEMBERSHIP ERC AND GOING TO ANOTHER PORTION OF THIS IS OUR STATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER STATES.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER WE HAVE TENNESSEE, GEORGIA, FLORIDA, MISSISSIPPI, ALL OF THE BORDER STATES FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AND THEN ARKANSAS, A BILATERAL AGREEMENT WITH THEM TO EXCHANGE VOTER DATA, AS WELL, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT IT AND TAKE THE DRIVER'S LICENSE INFORMATION, THAT'S A 49-STATE SOLUTION.

IF YOU TAKE THE INFORMATION WE'RE GETTING FROM THE NATIONAL CHANGE OF ADDRESS, WHICH IS ANOTHER PRONG, THAT'S ANOTHER 49-STATE SOLUTION.

AND THEN THE LAST PRONG IN THIS AVID SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE IS THE NATIONAL DEATH INDEX, WHICH IS KEPT BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.

SO THAT IS ANYTIME ANYONE GOES OUT OF STATE FOR ANY REASON AND PASSES AWAY IN ANOTHER STATE, WE ARE GETTING THAT INFORMATION AS WELL.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NETS TO MAKE SURE OUR VOTER FILE MAINTENANCE IS STRONG.

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO THE LEGISLATIVE ISSUE YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN.

THAT'S HARVESTING.

THIS IS TRYING TO MAKE SURE -- LIMIT WHO CAN ACCESS SOMEONE'S ABSENTEE BALLOT.

>> APPLICATION.

>> RIGHT.

I'LL LET YOU BECAUSE IT'S YOUR LEGISLATION.

IT'S BEING HANDLED IN THE SENATOR BY GUDGER BUT IT IS YOUR INVESTIGATION.

SO YOU EXPLAIN IT.

>> WE SUPPORTED IT.

LAST YEAR IT CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE IN A STRONG VOTE AND GOT TO THE SENATE AND DIDN'T GET A VOTE AND THIS YEAR IT IS COMING BACK AS SB-1.

SENATOR GARLAND GUDGER WILL BE CARRYING THE LEGISLATION.

WE ARE SUPPORTIVE BECAUSE IT STRENGTHENS THE PROCESS.

PROPONENTS ADMITTED LAST YEAR ANYTIME THERE IS VOTER FRAUD IN ALABAMA IT IS IN ABSENTEE VOTING ORBIT.

DON'T GET ME WRONG -- I WANT EVERYONE TO HEAR ME, WE HAVE TO KEEP THE ABSENTEE PROCESS THE WAY WE HAVE IT BUT STRENGTHEN SO IT CANNOT BE MANIPULATED.

I WANT EVERYONE TO HEAR AND UNDERSTAND ME.

THIS BILL DOES NOT DISENFRANCHISE ANYONE WHO IS DISABLED.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE ENSHRINE IN THE LANGUAGE THE FEDERAL DEFINITION OF WHO IS DISABLED AND IF YOU ARE DISABLED YOU CAN CHOOSE WHOEVER YOU WANT TO HELP YOU WITH THE BALLOT.

IT DOESN'T AFFECT MILITARY AND OVERSEAS BALLOTS.

WE CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY SOMEONE'S RIGHT TO VOTE IF THEY ARE OVERSEAS PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT THE CRITICS SAY.

NO, YOU ARE TAKING AWAY THE ABILITY OF SOMEONE'S GRANDCHILD HELPING GRANDMA IN A NURSING HOME AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND IT WOULD BASICALLY STRIP AWAY VOTING RIGHTS AND KEEP PEOPLE FROM VOTING.

HOW DO YOU ANSWER THOSE CRITICS?

>> WELL, WE DON'T.

WE HAVE ALL KIND OF EXCEPTIONS BUILT IN.

SOMEONE THAT LIVES IN A HOUSEHOLD WITH YOU CAN HELP YOU.

WE HAVE MANDATED IN THE BILL ITSELF, WE PROTECT MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS.

IT SAYS THEY ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS BILL.

IF YOU ARE DISABLED BY WHAT THE FEDERAL LAW SAYS IS THE DEFINITION OF BEING DISABLED YOU CAN CHOOSE ANYONE YOU WANT TO.

THE CRITICS THAT ARE OUT THERE NOT BEING TRUTHFUL ABOUT THE BILL OR WHAT IT DOES, WE ARE PROTECTING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE BALLOT TRAFFICKERS AND HARVESTERS CAN'T PAY SOMEONE OR RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR GOING OUT AND ACCEPTING SOMEONE WITH THEIR APPLICATION AND MANIPULATING THE PROCESS AND ALSO ANOTHER THING THIS BILL DOES IS PROTECTS THE MANIPULATION OF THE ABSENTEE PROCESS WHEN THESE ORGANIZATIONS FROM OUT OF STATE SEND THESE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE PRE-FILLED TO THESE HOMES OR WHEREVER THEY GO AND MAKE SURE THAT -- BECAUSE WE GET THE PHONE CALLS.

THIS OFFICE HAS GOTTEN CALLS IN THE PAST.

PEOPLE ARE UPSET AND CONFUSED WHEN THEY GET THESE IN THE MAIL.

SOMETIMES IT IS TO THEM OR SOMEONE THAT LIVED IN THE HOME THEY ARE IN NOW PREVIOUSLY TO THEM.

SO IT CONFUSES PEOPLE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO STRENGTHEN THE ABSENTEE PROCESS BUT AT THE SAME TIME MAKE SURE WE DON'T DISENFRANCHISE THOSE THAT WANT TO VOTE ABSENTEE.

ABSENTEE VOTING IS AN INTEGRAL IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS AND WE WANT TO STRENGTH THEN IT AND PROTECT IT AS WELL.

>> BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, WHILE WE HAVE YOU, I'M SURE YOU HAVE SEEN ARTICLES SPECULATING WHO MAY RUN FOR CONGRESS IN THE NEWLY CONSTITUTED SECOND DISTRICT.

YOUR NAME IS ALWAYS ON THE LIST PARTIALLY BECAUSE YOU ARE FROM PIKE COUNTY, WHICH IS IN THE HEART OF THE DISTRICT.

>> SURE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU, ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT RUNNING FOR CONGRESS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT?

>> I'M NOT RUNNING FOR THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

I'M ENJOYING BEING SECRETARY OF STATE.

>> DEFINITIVE ENOUGH.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE WILL GO WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT.

>> NO.

>> YOU LIKE YOUR JOB.

>> WE WORKED HARD TO GET HERE AND ENJOY WHAT WE ARE DOING.

LOVE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> 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.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> THE GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE HAS BEEN SINCE 1950S.

I WAS DESIGNATED AS THE PROPULSION CENTER DEVELOPING THE ROCKETS THAT WOULD LAUNCH NASA'S MISSIONS IN TO SPACE.

MARSHALL HELPED TO MAKE HISTORY IN 1961 WHEN THE MERCURY RED STONE ROCKET POWERED SHEPHERD TO SUBORBITAL FLIGHT MAKING HIM THE FIRST IN SPACE.

THE SATURN ROCKETS WERE USED IN THE APOLLO MOON MISSIONS.

THEY AIM TO FULFILL THE CHALLENGE TO NASA TO EXECUTE A MOON LANDING BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

INCLUDING THE FIRST MOON LANDING ON JULY 20, 1969.

MARSHALL DEVELOPED A PROPULSION FOR THE SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM AND INTEGRAL TO THE SCIENCE AND LIFE SYSTEMS ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION AND THE LEAD CENTER FOR THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS THE NEWLY ELECTED SENATE MAJORITY LEADER STEVE LIVINGSTON.

MR. LEADER, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME ON.

I'M NOT QUITE USED TO ANSWERING TO THAT NAME YET.

>> I'M SURE IT WILL TAKE SOME GETTING USED TO BUT CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK AS CLAY SCOFIELD, THE PREVIOUS MAJORITY LEADER STEPPED DOWN TO SEEK OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

WALK ME THROUGH YOUR PROCESS.

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED TO BE MAJORITY LEADER AND WHY?

WHAT MADE YOU SEEK THAT ROLE?

>> THERE'S 27 OF US.

WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD GROUP OF GUYS.

WE NEEDED SOMEBODY TO STEP UP AND BE THEIR LEADER AND HELP US TO GO DOWN THE PATHS IN THE FUTURE WITH THIS NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

I FELT LIKE I HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL OF THE GUYS.

HOPEFULLY THE VOTE PROVED THAT AND I WILL BE ABLE TO HELP TO LEAD THEM DOWN.

>> THIS IS A CAUCUS VOTE, RIGHT?

YOU ALL MEET, WHETHER IT -- IS IT IN-PERSON OR SOMETIMES VIRTUAL AND I GUESS YOU GIVE YOUR PITCH.

OTHERS GIVE THEIR PITCH AND THEN A DISCUSSION AND A VOTE?

>> THE PROCEDURE THAT WAS THIS TIME IS OUTLINED, SENATOR REID LAID OUT A PLAN OF HOW WE WOULD PROCEED.

WENT DOWN TO SELECTING THREE MEMBERS THAT WERE NOT RUNNING TO BE VOTE COUNTERS AND ALSO THE SECRET KEEPERS.

WE DIDN'T SHARE THE TALLIES AFTER THAT AND WON'T ASK THE TALLIES, DIDN'T SHARE THE TALLIES.

THEY GAVE US A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO SPEAK IN CAUCUS.

>> BECAUSE YOU WANT IT TO BE A SECRET BALLOT FOR THE RELATIONSHIP.

>> DON'T WANT HARD FEELINGS OR ANYTHING.

BUT SENATOR CHAMBLISS AND ELLIOTT HAD THEIR NAMES IN THE HAT.

I WAS BLESSED TO RECEIVE A VOTE ON THE FIRST BALLOT.

SO -- >> WELL, TALK ABOUT THE JOB OF THE MAJORITY LEADER.

I MEAN THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE SENATE, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE THE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM -- LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PRESIDES OVER THE BODY.

THE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM IS THE GOVERNOR OF THE BODY AS THE CASE MAY BE.

HE REPRESENTS THE FULL BODY, ALL 35 MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.

THE MAJORITY LEADER REPRESENTS 27 REPUBLICANS AND THE MINORITY MEMBER WOULD REPRESENT EIGHT MINORITY MEMBERS AND WE HAVE CAUCUS MEETINGS REGULARLY DURING SESSION TO LAY OUT OUR PLANS OF HOW WE ARE GOING TO WORK THIS WEEK.

DURING THE OFF SESSION WE MEET AND WE WILL DO THAT AT THE END OF THE MONTH AND TALK ABOUT OUR LEGISLATIVE PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> WHAT I NOTICED WITH MR. SCOFIELD IS DIDN'T GO TO THE MIC ALL THE TIME.

WASN'T THAT OUTSPOKEN AND MORE WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES.

IT SEEMS LIKE THAT JOB YOU ARE MORE WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES THAN OUT FRONT.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE CASE WITH ME.

AS YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TRIED TO GET ME ON SEVERAL TIMES AND I'VE DECLINED DURING PREAPPORTIONMENT.

IT'S A LOT OF WORK BEHIND THE SCENES THAT GOES ON, KEEPING THE TRAIN ON THE TRACKS AND MAKING SURE IT IS ON TIME.

>> SPEAKING OF THAT, PART OF THAT IS WORKING WITH THE MINORITY BECAUSE AT ANYTIME, WHETHER MR. SINGLETON, THE MINORITY LEADER, MR. SMITHERMAN WHO IS RIGHT THERE, TOO, THEY DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS BUT THEY CAN USE THEIR FILIBUSTER TO THEIR ADVANTAGE, AND IT SEEMS LIKE KEEPING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS HARMONIOUS, KEEPING THAT BALANCE, IF YOU WILL, IS IMPORTANT TO GETTING THINGS DONE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, THE RULES ARE THERE.

THEY ARE THE SAME FOR BOTH PARTIES.

ALL THEY ARE DOING IS USING THE RULES IN THEIR FAVOR AS THE CASE MAY BE.

ONE ADVANTAGES I HAD OVER SENATOR CHAMBLISS OR ELLIOTT IS THE FACT I HAD DONE CONFIRMATIONS THIS YEAR.

THE DESK TOLD US WE DID A RECORD 131 OF THEM.

YOU REALIZE THE MINORITY -- ANYONE HAS AN ABILITY TO SPEAK ON ANY CONFIRMATION.

SO MOVING THOSE THROUGH AND KEEPING THE FLOW THROUGH GOING AND WHEN WE GOT TO REAPPORTIONMENT, THAT IS WORKING WITH MINORITY PARTY THERE.

>> UH-HUH.

I NOTICED THAT SPEAKER LEDBETTER, YOUR GOOD FRIEND HAD SOME REALLY KIND WORDS TO SAY.

HE HAD STATEMENTS COME OUT FROM FOLKS IN THE SENATE BUT HERE'S FROM THE HOUSE EXPLAINING THAT HE ADMIRES YOU.

YOU ARE ONE OF HIS BEST FRIENDS.

TALK ABOUT Y'ALL'S RELATIONSHIP.

IT SEEMS UNIQUE YOU BEING THE MAJORITY LEADER AND HIM BEING SPEAKER.

>> I THINK HE IS LOOKING AT THIS MAY BE THE FIRST SITUATION THAT HAS OCCURRED WHEN WE ARE OUT OF THE SAME DISTRICT AREA.

BUT WE MET EACH OTHER IN 2012 WHEN WE STARTED TO RUN.

I WAS RUNNING FOR THE SENATE AND HIM FOR THE HOUSE.

WE QUICKLY REALIZED WE WERE FAST FRIENDS.

WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF THINGS TOGETHER.

I RESPECT HIM AS SPEAKER AND AS A GOOD, TRUE FRIEND.

HE AND HIS WIFE BOTH.

>> IT IS PROBABLY BENEFICIAL HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE, TOO.

I MEAN, THE HOUSE AND SENATE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GET LATE INTO THE SESSION, BILLS GOING BACK AND FORTH, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE GETTING TIRED AND PUNCHY AND ALL OF THAT STUFF.

I'M SURE HAVING THAT CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WILL PROBABLY HELP YOU ALL BE PRODUCTIVE AND SOLVE SOME OF THE -- IRON OUT SOME ISSUES.

>> IT WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST TIME I HAVE BEEN USED TO HEM WORK THROUGH A SITUATION WITH THE SPEAKER.

AND VIRUS VERSA IN THE SENATE WHEN HE HAS A PROBLEM.

>> AND EMISSARY IF YOU WILL.

WELL, YOU MENTIONED REDISTRICTING.

THAT WAS A BIG ISSUE.

YOU LED THE COMMITTEE, CO-CHAIRED THE COMMITTEE.

AGAIN, NO HARD FEELINGS FOR NOT COMING ON.

WE UNDERSTAND AT THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL BUT THAT WAS A TOUGH SLOG.

WENT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SPECIAL SESSION.

THAT WEEK WAS JUST A SLOG.

THEN GOES BACK TO COURT AND GETS REJECTED.

I'M SURE THAT WAS DISAPPOINTING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THOUGHT WE HAD DRAWN A PRETTY GOOD MAP.

WE HAD CHANGED DISTRICT 2 FROM WHAT 28.5, 29% BLACK VOTING AGE POPULATION TO 40%.

THAT THOUGHT WAS THAT IS VERY SIGNIFICANT AND THE COURT'S WORD WAS OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT.

THOUGHT IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY DISTRICT BUT THEY DISAGREED WITH THAT.

SO -- >> WHAT HAVE CONVERSATIONS BEEN POST THE COURT REDRAWING THE LINES?

WE WILL HAVE TO DO THIS REDISTRICTING PROCESS AGAIN ANYWAY.

ARE THERE LESSONS LEARNED?

WHAT'S THE REACTION BEEN?

>> I THINK THE GUIDELINES WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR 30 YEARS SEEM TO BE THROWN TO THE SIDELINES.

WE WON'T HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN ON THE CONGRESSIONAL SEATS FOR A WHILE.

OBVIOUSLY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS GOING TO LITIGATE THAT CASE AND SEE IF THEY CAN, INSTEAD OF MOST LIKELY VIOLATES SECTION TWO, THEY ARE GOING TO EITHER WE DID OR DIDN'T.

SO -- >> MAYBE GET CLARITY ON WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> CLARITY ON HOW WE DO IT AND WHAT WE DO.

AND YOU HAD PREFACED A QUESTION EARLIER ON, THE HOUSE AND SENATE, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF HOUSE AND SENATE SEATS THAT ARE CHALLENGED THAT WILL BE PUT TO COURT IN OCTOBER OF 24.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP ISSUE IS OVER UNTIL SUPREME COURT, WHETHER OR NOT THEY DECIDE TO HEAR IT BUT THAT'S NOT ALL THE REDISTRICTING YOU DID.

YOU DID LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE PLUS SCHOOL BOARD.

SO YOU SAID -- MY QUESTION IS ARE WE GOING TO BE BACK IN COURT AGAIN ON THOSE DISTRICTS LIKE WE HAVE IN THE PAST?

>> WE COULD BE.

ABSOLUTELY.

SCHEDULED TO COME UP FOR THE STARTING PROCESS OF OCTOBER OF '24.

>> WELL, SO, WE COULD BE RIGHT BACK DOING IT.

CAN I ASSUME YOU ARE BECOMING MAJORITY LEADER MEANS YOU WILL NO LONGER DO THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE OR HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> THAT HASN'T BEEN DECIDED YET BUT I SUSPECT IT WOULD NOT LOOK GOOD FOR THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TO BE IN CHARGE OF REDISTRICTING.

SO -- >> WELL, THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

IT WAS SUCH A HUGE ISSUE AND TO THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE RIGHT BACK DOING IT ALL AGAIN.

>> TODD, WE DID A LOT OF WORK IN A WEEK'S TIME.

DOING WHAT WE NORMALLY DID TAKES A COUPLE OF THREE WEEKS OUT OF SESSION.

WE DID A LOT OF CRAMMING IN THAT ONE WEEK IN JULY THERE.

>> SESSION WILL BE HERE IN FEBRUARY.

IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT.

I THINK EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO START TO GET THEIR DUCKS IN A ROW.

WE'RE SORT OF USED TO MARCH.

YOU MENTIONED THE CAUCUS GETTING STARTED WITH SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT AGENDA.

IS THERE ANYTHING PARTICULAR THAT YOU'RE FOCUSED ON IN TERMS OF ISSUES THAT YOU THINK, ALL RIGHT, THIS IS THE YEAR.

MAYBE LAST YEAR THERE WAS SO MUCH THAT IT TOOK OVER BUT WAS THERE ANYTHING LEFT ON THE TABLE THAT YOU THINK THIS IS THE YEAR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE ARE ISSUES THAT WE DIDN'T GET AROUND TO LAST YEAR THAT WE WILL GET TO THIS YEAR.

I THINK SCHOOL CHOICE WILL COME BACK.

YOU'LL SEE SOMETHING ABOUT HARVESTING LIKELY.

>> THAT IS SB-1, RIGHT?

>> YES, SB-1.

THAT'S CORRECT.

>> JUST TALKED TO SECRETARY OF STATE WES ALLEN ABOUT THAT AND HE IS REALLY BEHIND THAT, AS WELL.

>> YOU'LL SEE THAT.

YOU'LL SEE -- I SAID SCHOOL CHOICE.

IT APPEARS THAT THERE'S A COUPLE OF GROUPS WORKING ON GAMING.

WE WILL SEE SOMETHING ON THAT LINE.

>> YEAH.

KIND OF THIS AD HOC GROUP SAYING -- BECAUSE IN THE SENATE, YOU ALL DEALT WITH THIS BEFORE SUCCESSFULLY.

>> I THINK THREE TIMES.

>> IT'S ALWAYS THE HOUSE WHERE THERE IS A BOTTLENECK TOWARD THE END.

I HAVE HEARD SENATORS SAY, WELL, Y'ALL IN THE HOUSE NEED TO WORK OUT YOUR DIFFERENCES AND WHAT YOU ALL CAN DO BEFORE THE SENATE CONSIDERS IT AGAIN.

>> I THINK THERE'S JOINT COMMITTEE WORK TRYING TO COME UP WITH COMPROMISE AND RESOLUTION TO THAT.

>> WELL, LOOK, WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ELECTION TO MAJORITY LEADER AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK IF FEBRUARY.

>> THANK YOU, TODD, APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME ON AND I'M SURE I WILL BE SEEING A LOT MORE OF YOU.

>> HOPE SO.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

♪ >> ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED AS A POSTAL ROUTE IN 1806 THE OLD FEDERAL ROAD STRETCHED THROUGH THE CREEK INDIAN TERRITORY AT THE LOWER ALABAMA, ALABAMA'S FEDERAL ROAD FUNCTIONED AS A THOROUGHFARE FOR WESTERN MIGRATION INTO THE OLD SOUTHWEST USHERING IN A NEW ERA OF NATIONAL EXPANSION AND EXPLOITATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN TERRITORY.

ALTHOUGH MUCH OF THE FEDERAL ROAD HAS DISAPPEARED, PORTIONS OF IT REMAIN TODAY.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE JEREMY GRAY FROM OPELIKA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> THIS IS A DIFFERENT SETUP.

OUR STUDIO IS GOING THROUGH CHANGES SO THEY LET US BORROW Y'ALL'S PRESS ROOM IN THE STATEHOUSE.

YOU HAVE THROWN YOUR NAME THE HAT FOR CONGRESS AND ANNOUNCED YOU ARE RUNNING IN THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

I HAVE TO ASK WHAT MADE YOU JUMP INTO THE RACE?

>> ANY PARENTS, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER TOLD ME TO ASPIRE TO BE THE BEST I CAN, WHETHER IN SPORTS, SCHOOL AND THIS IS ANOTHER ELEMENT.

WHEN I LOOKED AT MY LEADERSHIP AND HOW EFFECTIVE I WAS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 2018, POUND FOR POUND, BILL FOR BILL, I HAD SOME OF THIS MOST USEFUL AND EFFECTIVE LEGISLATION WHETHER INNOVATION ALABAMA BILLS, SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST, THAT HELPS WITH ATHLETES AND COACHES UNDERSTAND THE TRAINING, GRACE PERIOD BILL, ON AND ON AND ON.

IF NOT ME THAN WHO?

YOU HAVE TO SAY WHEN YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT AND FOR ME THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK THAT FOR ME I BELIEVE THAT I'M QUALIFIED TO ACTUALLY RUN IN THIS SEAT AND BE A FRONTRUNNER IN THE SEAT.

>> KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE YOU WANT TO BUILD ON THAT LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE AT THE STATE LEVEL TO COMMUNICATE TO VOTERS, OKAY, I CAN -- THE STATE LEVEL GIVES A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> UH-HUH.

WHEN YOU THINK OF IT, I HAVE BEEN IN THE SUPER MINORITY.

FOR A LOT OF TIMES YOU HAVE TO HAVE BIPARTISANSHIP.

SO MOVING BILLS, FINDING COMMON GROUND AND ABLE TO FIND PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

IT TOOK THREE YEARS TO REPEAL THE BAN ON -- NO LOBBYING OR ANYTHING.

BRINGING PEOPLE TO THE MIDDLE AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THE ISSUES IS MY THING.

I'M NOT ALL ABOUT FIGHTING TO JUST FIGHT BUT TO ACTUALLY GET THINGS DONE.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SAY LET'S GET TO THE MIDDLE.

FIND THE THING WE CAN AGREE ON WHAT WE DON'T WE CAN GET RID OF IT BUT WE HAVE TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR ALABAMA AND THIS IS THE SAME SITUATION FOR ME.

>> I HAVE TO ASK YOU, WITH THE NEWLY CONSTITUTED DISTRICT, IT'S A LOT DIFFERENT.

IT GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MOBILE.

YOU ARE IN LEE COUNTY.

YOU LIVE IN LEE COUNTY, THAT'S NOT QUITE IN THE DISTRICT.

IT IS RUSSELL RIGHT THERE.

THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT TO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT, JUST IN THE STATE BUT YOU KNOW IT WILL COME UP DURING THE CAMPAIGN.

WHAT'S YOUR ANSWER TO THOSE ATTACKS THAT WILL COME YOUR WAY, HEY, HE DOESN'T LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> I HAVE REPRESENTED RUSSELL THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

I'M PART OF THEIR EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND DOING THINGS IN RUSSELL COUNTY AREA AND WHERE IS LEE PROXY TO RUSSELL COUNTY, 12 MINUTES.

RUSSELL AND LEE COUNTY IS ONE AND THE SAME.

FOR ME IT IS A DISTRICT I'VE REPRESENTED FIVE YEARS.

I KNOW THE PEOPLE AND THE ISSUES.

I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRING RESOURCES TO THAT COMMUNITY.

SO WHY NOT ME?

>> IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE A LARGE FIELD.

IT'S STILL NOT SET YET.

ANOTHER WEEK OR SO, MAYBE A LITTLE OVER A WEEK FOR FOLKS TO QUALIFY.

IT IS ALREADY STARTING TO LOOK LIKE PRETTY CROWDED FIELD.

PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE THE DISTRICT SO BIG.

GEOGRAPHICALLY.

LIKE YOU SAID, RUSSELL COUNTY TO THE EAST, ALL THE WAY TO MOBILE, MISSISSIPPI, SO DIFFERENT MEDIA MARKETS AND THAT STUFF.

KNOWING THE FIELD IS NOT SET BUT PROBABLY WILL BE PRETTY LARGE INCLUDING SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES, HOW WILL YOU SET YOURSELF APART TO BE THAT FRONTRUNNER, TO SET YOURSELF APART AND DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF IN THIS FIELD?

>> I TELL PEOPLE I'M YOUNG BUT WISE AND HAVE EXPERIENCE.

SO, I HAVE THE INNOVATION AND THE YOUTH, RIGHT, BUT NOT LIKE WHEN I WAS 32 AND FIRST RAN IN 2018.

I DIDN'T HAVE EXPERIENCE AND PEOPLE ARE LIKE YOU SHOULD WAIT YOUR TURN.

I'M YOUNG NOW AND I DO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF FIVE YEARS.

YOU HAVE SEEN THE THINGS I HAVE DONE DAY IN AND OUT.

I THINK WITH MY YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE, NOT MANY PEOPLE CAN SAY THAT IN THE FIELD, BEING UNDER THE AGE OF 40 AND BEING ABLE TO REALLY HONE IN TO WHAT PEOPLE REALLY THINK ABOUT.

I'M IN THAT AGE GROUP WHERE I CAN BRIDGE THE GAP.

YOU HAVE THE GEN-ZS AND OLDER GENERATION AND YOU NEED SOMEONE TO UNDERSTAND BOTH AND THE CONCEPT OF THE DISTRICT.

IT'S NOT JUST A METROPOLITAN AREA.

IT IS ALSO RURAL AND SUBURBAN.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A UNIFIED MESSAGE OF HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY SPEAK TO THOSE DIFFERENT AUDIENCES AND I THINK I CAN.

I HAVE BEEN UP AND DOWN THIS STATE WAY BEFORE I WANTED TO RUN FOR CONGRESS.

I WAS DOING IT BECAUSE I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I WOULD CARRY THE SAME THING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND ULTIMATELY TO DC.

>> DC IS THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION.

IF YOU LOOK UP THERE THESE DAYS, THEY JUST GOT THREW THREE-WEEK FIASCO WITH THE SPEAKERS RACE.

THERE'S A TON OF DYSFUNCTION WHEN YOU LOOK AT CONGRESS.

A LOT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE BECAUSE THEY HAVE INFIGHTING BUT THE SAME FOR DEMOCRATS.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THE TWO SIDES GET ALONG ON BASICALLY ANYTHING.

SO, WHEN YOU SEE THAT, SOME PEOPLE SEE IT AND IT TURNS THEM OFF AND SAY I DON'T WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT MESS.

ARE YOU THE OPPOSITE?

DOES THAT SEEM LIKE A CHALLENGE TO GO UP THERE AND BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO THE DYSFUNCTION?

>> IN CONGRESS, SOMETIMES YOU HIGHLIGHT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

NOT EVERYONE IS ROWDY.

SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST ABOUT GETTING THINGS DONE ON BOTH SIDES.

I MET BLAKE MOORE A REPUBLICAN FROM UTAH.

HE IS NOT ROWDY BUT ABOUT GETTING THINGS DONE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE GET ATTENTION, THOSE INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERS THAT WE SEE ON TV DAY IN AND OUT, IT IS PROBABLY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THINGS DONE AND WORKING ON COMMON GROUND AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I WANT TO BE A QUIET E EFFECTIVE LEADER.

I DON'T WANT TO BE FAMOUS BUT EFFECTIVE.

>> IT IS INTERESTING.

I HAVE BEEN ARGUING RECENTLY THE INCENTIVES HAVE CHANGED.

IT USED TO BE THAT -- I MEAN CONGRESS -- POLITICS IN GENERAL, BUT CONGRESS AS A TEAM SPORT.

YOU HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM OTHERWISE NOTHING GETS DONE.

BUT HERE LATELY, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF INCENTIVE FOR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A HANDFUL THAT REALLY JUST WANT TO PROMOTE THEMSELVES, RAISE THE MONEY, DO ALL OF THAT.

I THINK THAT'S HOW THE SPEAKER THING REALLY GOT STARTED.

I MEAN, LOOK, YOU ARE PRETTY ACCUSTOMED TO BEING ON TEAMS.

DO YOU THINK THAT WILL BE PART OF YOUR AGENDA IS BEING A CONGRESSMAN IS SAYING, HEY, GUYS, WE HAVE TO STAY TOGETHER AS A TEAM AND NOT LET INDIVIDUALS DOMINATE WITH THEIR OWN POLITICAL AGENDAS?

>> I HAVE BEEN PLAYING SPORTS ALL MY LIFE.

WHEN INDIVIDUALS TAKE OVER, THE TEAM IS USUALLY NOT THAT GOOD.

A TRUE LEADER BUILDS UP EVERYONE AROUND THEM AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD TRY TO DO.

WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GET THE SPOTLIGHT, SOMETIMES YOU DO IT BY UPLIFTING OTHERS.

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU GETTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON YOU.

IT'S ABOUT YOU DOING THE WORK, HELPING OUT YOUR TEAMMATES AT THE END OF THE DAY AND GETTING THE WIN.

FOR ME IT IS ALL ABOUT WINNING.

IF WE ARE NOT BRINGING THE BACON TO ALABAMA WE'RE NOT WINNING.

>> I KNOW YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT IN THE CAMPAIGN AND DIDN'T HAVE A LONG TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS A SHORT WINDOW BUT WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF ISSUES YOU WANT TO DEFINE YOUR CANDIDACY IN THIS RACE?

>> ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION CHILD CARE.

WE THINK OF ECONOMIC PROGRESS IN MOBILE AND MONTGOMERY, HOW TO BRING IN INDUSTRY, KNOWLEDGE-BASED JOBS IS A MIXED BAG.

IT'S NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL MODEL AND YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITIES.

WHEN YOU HAVE CLEAN WATER, FOOD, HOUSING, CHILD CARE, YOU CAN BE A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN.

THAT'S WHAT I WOULD START WITH.

>> I KNOW IT'S EARLY BUT HAVE YOU THOUGHT WHAT COMMITTEES IF YOU GOT TO CONGRESS, THAT HEY, I WANT TO BE ON THAT, OR ANY PARTICULAR AREAS OF INTEREST?

>> IT IS ALMOST LIKE BEING A FRESHMAN.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT.

>> PROBABLY WON'T GET YOUR TOP PICK.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT.

>> I LIKE TO BE PART OF THE SNEAKER CAUCUS.

I LIKE THE COOL SNEAKERS BUT YOU DON'T PICK YOUR COMMITTEES.

YOU GET TO SAY I WANT THIS AND THIS AND THAT BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU ARE GOING TO GET WHATEVER THEY GIVE YOU.

>> YOU NAMED SOME ISSUES THAT THERE ARE SOME COMMITTEES.

A LOT OF THIS CAMPAIGN WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS STARTED.

SO, THAT'S PROBABLY A CHALLENGE NOT JUST FOR YOU BUT OTHERS WHO ARE LAWMAKERS RUNNING IN THIS RACE.

WHAT'S THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

YOU WILL HAVE TO SPLIT TIME AND MAKE IT BACK FOR VOTES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> I WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE IN THE FIELD WON'T.

I DON'T HAVE KIDS AND NOT MARRIEDR.

I CAN DO DOUBLE AND TRIPLE TIME.

I'M THE UNDERDOG AND THAT'S HOW I WILL FIGHT EVERY DAY, HOUR, SECOND, AND MINUTE COUNTS.

I WILL BE IN THE FIELD.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE DID THIS WRITE UP ABOUT POTENTIAL CANDIDATES AND THE BRAND NEW DISTRICT.

YOU WERE MENTIONED.

I'M A LITTLE BIT EMBARRASSED BUT IT IS YOUR CREDIT THAT YOU DID IT VERY MUCH UNDER THE RADAR.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

A BIG SPLASH WAS MADE.

LOOK, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

CONGRATULATIONS ON ENTERING THE RACE.

GOOD LUCK AND WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> UH-HUH.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

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

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.