Alabama Daily News recently asked candidates for governor to answer some questions via email about why they’re running for governor and how they’d improve the state if elected.
Here’s the list of questions we asked followed by how candidates responded. Not all candidates provided responses. Some of the responses were edited for length.
1.Why are you running for governor?
2. What makes you different from the other candidates on the May 24 ballot?
3. What do you think Alabama’s biggest problem is and how would you work to correct it?
4. A recent VOICES for Alabama Children said that 24% of children in the state live in poverty. How do you plan to improve that number?
5. The Legislature this year again discussed, but did not pass lottery and gambling legislation. As governor, what action would you take on lottery and gambling legislation in the years to come?
6. Alabama is one of 12 states that declined to expand Medicaid health coverage to cover more people since 2010. The federal government is again offering incentives to such states to expand now. Do you believe Alabama should expand its Medicaid program to extend health coverage to more people or not?
7. The 2019 National Assessment of Education Progress had Alabama ranked 52nd for fourth grade reading and 49th for fourth and eighth grade reading. The Alabama Legislature has sought to address these problems through passage of the Alabama Literacy Act and the Alabama Numeracy Act. Do you support these measures? What would you do as governor to address Alabama’s education shortcomings?
8. While Alabama’s unemployment rate is at an historic low, the state continues to see a shortage of workers. What should be done to address that?
REPUBLICANS’ RESPONSES
Lindy Blanchard
1. Why are you running for governor?
I am running for Governor because I’m tired of average. Our state has been plagued with average leadership for too long. Our children don’t deserve it. Our small business owners and farmers and middle-class Alabamians don’t deserve it.
2. What makes you different from the other candidates on the May 24 ballot?
I am different because I know what it is to start a business from a borrowed kitchen table, to work multiple jobs. I know what it is to sign the front of someone’s paycheck, and I remember the days when it was hard – when we had $1.12 in our checking account. I’ve never held elected political office. Unlike others in this race, I’m self-funded, and not beholden to any special interests.
3. What do you think Alabama’s biggest problem is and how would you work to correct it?
I think the biggest issue facing every family and every farmer in Alabama right now is inflation and our lackluster economy.
…The answer to Alabama’s dilemma is not only found in job creation but wealth creation – which is what President Trump focused on. Focusing Alabama’s efforts in small business creation in the realms of technology, research, and engineering, will allow the entire state to have the kind of wages which can withstand the Biden inflated economy, while also allowing us to keep our best and brightest home…
4. A recent VOICES for Alabama Children said that 24% of children in the state live in poverty. How do you plan to improve that number?
There is no doubt in my mind – education is the key to solving this crisis. Not just for the children, but also for the parents of those children. We need to make sure not only that community college and vocational education is available for every single Alabamian – but that vocational education and community colleges can be flexible enough to develop the workforce development pathways which can in turn create the kind of businesses and train Alabamians for the jobs of the future.
5. The Legislature this year again discussed, but did not pass lottery and gambling legislation. As governor, what action would you take on lottery and gambling legislation in the years to come?
I am not a gambler. …However, I will also be a governor of the people – and the people have overwhelmingly told me on the campaign trail that they want to vote on the issue. While I am against government expansion in any form, and this would be government expansion, I will not stand in the people’s way of a vote on this issue – but neither will I tolerate a bill which picks winners and losers or closed door, backroom deals…
6. Alabama is one of 12 states that declined to expand Medicaid health coverage to cover more people since 2010. The federal government is again offering incentives to such states to expand now. Do you believe Alabama should expand its Medicaid program to extend health coverage to more people or not?
Expansion of Medicaid could potentially bankrupt this state. Our focus needs to be on access and outcomes. I want to help expand medical access to Alabamians across the state – that’s why I am the only candidate to date who has proposed eliminating Certificates of Need – and old relic of government intrusion. Access and outcomes will improve when we free the market and when non-profits are finally freed to go into areas and help all
Alabamians get the kind of healthcare they deserve!
7. The 2019 National Assessment of Education Progress had Alabama ranked 52nd for fourth grade reading and 49th for fourth and eighth grade reading. The Alabama Legislature has sought to address these problems through passage of the Alabama Literacy Act and the Alabama Numeracy Act. Do you support these measures? What would you do as governor to address Alabama’s education shortcomings?
…I would: Bring in school choice. Parents know what’s best for their children; Encourage parents to be involved with their local school boards; Free teachers to educate our children – not teaching them to tests; Put a focus on professional development of teachers across Alabama and; Focus on student mental health in coordination with their parents.
8. While Alabama’s unemployment rate is at an historic low, the state continues to see a shortage of workers. What should be done to address that?
… The answer to Alabama’s dilemma is not job creation but wealth creation.
… By attracting businesses to relocate their headquarters here, and focusing on the kind of entrepreneurial and manufacturing jobs of the future, we can pursue wealth creation Alabama needs. I envision an Alabama where we answer part of the microchip shortage, create small businesses which deliver large results, and develop the keys to unlock America’s potential again.
Tim James
1. Why are you running for governor?
Our nation is in a culture war between common sense and the crazy. Progressives have used their power in Washington and woke corporations to shove an agenda onto America. When other governors were protecting their states, our governor went to sleep at the wheel or caved in on gas taxes, vaccine mandates, and transgenderism in schools. I will protect our children, families, and workers from these progressives and put Alabama back in a position of leadership again, so help me God.
2. What makes you different from the other candidates on the May 24 ballot?
I have the energy, backbone and business experience to stand against the special interests so Alabama’s state government will work for the people again.
3. What do you think Alabama’s biggest problem is and how would you work to correct it?
Alabama’s biggest problem is that we have too many politicians leading this state who are more concerned about being re-elected than they are about returning power to the people. I will repeal Kay Ivey’s never-ending gas tax and the grocery tax…
But one of biggest problems we have is that we are nearly dead last in education. I will push for more parental choice in our schools, eliminate Common Core and stop critical race theory and transgenderism from being taught in the classroom.
4. A recent VOICES for Alabama Children said that 24% of children in the state live in poverty. How do you plan to improve that number?
We cannot view these children as statistics. They are people with dreams and a future that can be great if we don’t let them down. We must take our schools from last to best in the nation, and we need to provide tax breaks to all Alabamians so that the private sector can inject hundreds of millions of dollars into our economy for job creation.
5. The Legislature this year again discussed, but did not pass lottery and gambling legislation. As governor, what action would you take on lottery and gambling legislation in the years to come?
Casino magnates, together with some political leaders in our state, are trying to turn Alabama into the Las Vegas of the South with nine full-scale casinos. I do not support expanding casino gambling or creating a lottery as it has a disastrous impact on family income and the small businesses where they exist.
6. Alabama is one of 12 states that declined to expand Medicaid health coverage to cover more people since 2010. The federal government is again offering incentives to such states to expand now. Do you believe Alabama should expand its Medicaid program to extend health coverage to more people or not?
No. Medicaid has been one of the biggest financial and mismanagement disasters in the history of this country. We should not expand it. I will make leadership on health coverage a priority but will work with the private sector to expand coverage and lower costs with free market solutions.
7. The 2019 National Assessment of Education Progress had Alabama ranked 52nd for fourth grade reading and 49th for fourth and eighth grade reading. The Alabama Legislature has sought to address these problems through passage of the Alabama Literacy Act and the Alabama Numeracy Act. Do you support these measures? What would you do as governor to address Alabama’s education shortcomings?
… We will take our schools from worst to best by embracing parental choice, improving discipline in the classrooms, paying our teachers bonus incentives for performance, and focusing our curriculum on the basics: reading, writing, and arithmetic. I will also fight to return voluntary prayer in our schools. Acknowledging God brings purpose to our conduct and thought.
8. While Alabama’s unemployment rate is at an historic low, the state continues to see a shortage of workers. What should be done to address that?
After Kay Ivey shut down the state, we lost tens of thousands of jobs and people in the work force that never returned. To change the downward trajectory, we have to focus on the basics: tax cuts and improvements to education. People need to see Alabama as a place where they want to work or start a business. Economic leadership must be more than just about handing out government money to state agencies. As governor, my focus will be on stimulating economic activity and bringing real job growth back to our state.
Kay Ivey
1. Why are you running for governor?
I’m running for Governor because I love this state, it’s my home, and I strongly believe that its best days are still ahead of us. We’re building a strong economy, defending our conservative values and working to improve our state each and every day. We’ve accomplished a lot, and we’re just getting started.
2. What makes you different from the other candidates on the May 24 ballot?
We’ve done what other people are only talking about doing. Alabama is working again – in my first term, we created over 65,000 new jobs, over $32 billion in new business investment and we have the lowest unemployment rate in the history of our state. I fought against illegal immigration by sending troops to the Southern border, signed into law the strongest pro-life bill in the nation, banned Critical Race Theory from being taught in our schools, banned transgender sports and made it a felony to give transgender surgery to minors. My record speaks for itself.
3. What do you think Alabama’s biggest problem is and how would you work to correct it?
Well, right now it’s the failing Biden Administration and its dangerous policies. They are pushing their liberal, socialist agenda onto states across the country and are getting crazier and crazier every single day. I will always fight back against Joe Biden and his disastrous policies.
4. A recent VOICES for Alabama Children said that 24% of children in the state live in poverty. How do you plan to improve that number?
I’m committed to improving our schools, increasing educational opportunities, supporting workforce development, and building a strong and resilient economy that works for all Alabamians.
5. The Legislature this year again discussed, but did not pass lottery and gambling legislation. As governor, what action would you take on lottery and gambling legislation in the years to come?
To me, this issue is simple – the people of Alabama should vote on casino gaming and the lottery. I trust Alabamians with these decisions.
6. Alabama is one of 12 states that declined to expand Medicaid health coverage to cover more people since 2010. The federal government is again offering incentives to such states to expand now. Do you believe Alabama should expand its Medicaid program to extend health coverage to more people or not?
We’re going to continue to work with the legislature on these important issues and make sure Alabamians’ conservative values are protected.
7. The 2019 National Assessment of Education Progress had Alabama ranked 52nd for fourth grade reading and 49th for fourth and eighth grade reading. The Alabama Legislature has sought to address these problems through passage of the Alabama Literacy Act and the Alabama Numeracy Act. Do you support these measures? What would you do as governor to address Alabama’s education shortcomings?
We have the best Pre-K program in the entire country, we have given record pay increases to our teachers and I signed the largest education budget in state history. I will continue to work to ensure that we can give our students, parents, educators and schools the tools that they need to be successful.
8. While Alabama’s unemployment rate is at an historic low, the state continues to see a shortage of workers. What should be done to address that?
What I’ve done is fight back against one of the main root causes – the never-ending checks from the Biden Administration that allowed for folks to stay at home and not work. That’s why I put an end to them and will do the same to the rest of Biden’s ridiculous policies.
Dean Odle
1. Why are you running for governor?
I am running for governor of Alabama because we have terrible leadership that mishandled the pandemic response, violated our First Amendment rights by shutting down churches, schools and businesses … allowed our K-12 education to be ranked 47th over all and 52nd in math … allowed our prisons to become a disaster, and raised our taxes…just to name a few. I am a leader and not a prevaricating politician.
2. What makes you different from the other candidates on the May 24 ballot?
I am not a politician or the son of a politician. I have been a minister of Jesus Christ for 35 years, a small business owner, an educator, a researcher, and an author. I am the only candidate in this race for Governor of Alabama that stood up against Ivey’s shutdown of businesses, schools and churches even BEFORE deciding to run for Governor of Alabama…
3. What do you think Alabama’s biggest problem is and how would you work to correct it?
K-12 education is Alabama’s biggest problem. Alabama K-12 education is ranked 47th over all and 52nd in math.
… My opponents give lip service to school choice because it has become popular, but none of them have put forth a plan that goes far enough to truly transform Alabama’s K-12 education disaster.
… As a homeschool dad myself, I know how important it is to protect homeschooling from government interference! A Dean Odle administration will go all in on fixing our broken education system by getting the government out of the K-12 education business because the government has failed miserably.
4. A recent VOICES for Alabama Children said that 24% of children in the state live in poverty. How do you plan to improve that number?
To protect our freedoms, the next governor of Alabama MUST move our state to be much more self-sufficient and wealth is a central component.
… Under a Dean Odle administration, Alabama will become an even greater exporter of energy via these policies and this wealth will be the catalyst to replace the current punitive tax system and reduce dependency on federal dollars. This will make Alabama a more attractive destination to workers and businesses worldwide. The new energy jobs will be prioritized for Alabama residents (incentives to hire Alabamians for these new positions). In addition to lowering taxes, reducing the cost of energy will increase the wealth of Alabama citizens. It will also attract new high-paying jobs to Alabama in the technology and manufacturing sectors that use a lot of electricity.
5. The Legislature this year again discussed, but did not pass lottery and gambling legislation. As governor, what action would you take on lottery and gambling legislation in the years to come?
I am not for a lottery or casino gambling. We can prosper in this state by expanding our oil and natural gas production.
6. Alabama is one of 12 states that declined to expand Medicaid health coverage to cover more people since 2010. The federal government is again offering incentives to such states to expand now. Do you believe Alabama should expand its Medicaid program to extend health coverage to more people or not?
Expanding Medicaid in Alabama is something that I am willing to consider as we need to address the many rural hospitals that have closed and the many in danger of closing.
7. The 2019 National Assessment of Education Progress had Alabama ranked 52nd for fourth grade reading and 49th for fourth and eighth grade reading. The Alabama Legislature has sought to address these problems through passage of the Alabama Literacy Act and the Alabama Numeracy Act. Do you support these measures? What would you do as governor to address Alabama’s education shortcomings?
I addressed this in my answer above about our number one problem. As for the Numeracy Act, I was opposed. The Numeracy Act should be called the Smokescreen Election Year Desperation Act. This bill claims to get rid of Common Core math but it does not.
… My plan for Alabama K-12 education includes removing all traces of Common Core and then putting into place a total, no-strings-attached school voucher program. That means no central state or federal government control over schools…
8. While Alabama’s unemployment rate is at an historic low, the state continues to see a shortage of workers. What should be done to address that?
I believe the expansion of our oil and gas industry will attract many workers to Alabama.
DEMOCRATS’ RESPONSES
Yolanda Flowers
1. Why are you running for governor?
I am running for governor because it seems that no one cares about her enough to heal her. I am not a career politician and therefore, I am not tainted by the surreptitious dealings of politics.
2. What makes you different from the other candidates on the May 24 ballot?
First, I have the faith that Alabama can be healed. I understand why she is in the condition that she is in. Second, as a speech-language pathology assistants and vocational rehabilitation counselor, I understand disabilities; I’ve studied the issues the effects disabilities have on a person and their families. Third, I am a community engaged individual. A community engaged person sees all sides of their town/community because they get out among the people. It’s hard to know if you aren’t there.
3. What do you think Alabama’s biggest problem is and how would you work to correct it?
Alabama’s biggest problem is the parties are not coming together as one entity to better our state and when there’s no party unity, there’s no better community. What I will do, as governor, is choose decent, strong individuals from both parties, who have Alabama at heart and who will not be persuaded by their colleagues to make a partisan decision but an Alabama decision.
4. A recent VOICES for Alabama Children said that 24% of children in the state live in poverty. How do you plan to improve that number?
First, I would comprise a team(s) targeting the rural communities, and possibly the urban as well, to scope out likely impoverished areas. They will reach out to the mayor and/or city council to see what can be done to dissolve the deserts of those communities…
5. The Legislature this year again discussed, but did not pass lottery and gambling legislation. As governor, what action would you take on lottery and gambling legislation in the years to come?
I am a product of the lottery. I was able to receive it during my residence in Tennessee when I attended college. If I hadn’t been allotted the Hope Scholarship, it would’ve been more expensive for my husband. The lottery allowed me to pay for two years of my college training which reduced the burden of the high cost of tuition when I attended the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Therefore, I would advocate on the behalf of the students and parents stressing that if we kept our monies in our state, we will be able to provide our children with the education they deserve in our own state. Keeping our children home is a very safe and productive thing for our state.
6. Alabama is one of 12 states that declined to expand Medicaid health coverage to cover more people since 2010. The federal government is again offering incentives to such states to expand now. Do you believe Alabama should expand its Medicaid program to extend health coverage to more people or not?
I strongly believe Alabama should engage in this endeavor (to expand Medicaid.) A poor state is a sick state. If we’re to become whole and well, we must ensure our people are healthy and well.
… I would propose free health care coverage for our senior citizens 62 years old and older, reduced health care coverage, at an affordable rate, for those who work but struggle to pay for healthcare for themselves and their families with little primary care physician co-pay, and specialist co-pay.
7. The 2019 National Assessment of Education Progress had Alabama ranked 52nd for fourth grade reading and 49th for fourth and eighth grade reading. The Alabama Legislature has sought to address these problems through passage of the Alabama Literacy Act and the Alabama Numeracy Act. Do you support these measures? What would you do as governor to address Alabama’s education shortcomings?
Every child learns differently. Starting out as a reading Instructor during my time in academia, I found out that the basics of learning to read are still prevalent. By the age of five, school age, every disability can be detected, whether that child has autism, ADHD, ADD, dyslexia or a learning disability; therefore, knowing this, it behooves us, as professionals, to comprise testing or evaluations for children entering school to find any discrepancies that must be addressed…
8. While Alabama’s unemployment rate is at an historic low, the state continues to see a shortage of workers. What should be done to address that?
The incentive is to offer more, better pay.
… I will have to appeal to both parties and stress that if the cost of living is going up and the living wage isn’t, we’ll be the more miserable for it if we continue to refuse our people a decent living wage. Our citizens will leave our state for other states and build the commerce livelihood of the state in which they live, causing Alabama to die. I say raise the minimum wage to $26 an hour; after all, it has been only 13 years we’ve been at $7.25 an hour. Our legislatures are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.
Chad Martin
1. Why are you running for governor?
I am running for governor because I have lived in Alabama my entire life and can actually see families suffering in daily life. I also listen to citizens and empathize for all of the tribulations that they face such as lack of good paying jobs with healthcare benefits in many parts of the state.
2. What makes you different from the other candidates on the May 24 ballot?
The difference in me is that I started my business career at the bottom selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door and worked my way up to national companies and now 30 years later owning and operating three successful Alabama-based businesses.
3. What do you think Alabama’s biggest problem is and how would you work to correct it?
Alabama’s biggest problem is lack of opportunity for our citizens. We have families not being able to provide the basic necessities for their families and lack of health care. I am going to hire the best industry recruiters in the nation and work hand-in-hand with them scouring the globe to bring high-tech, good-paying jobs with benefits that will be strategically placed in underdeveloped areas of the state.
4. A recent VOICES for Alabama Children said that 24% of children in the state live in poverty. How do you plan to improve that number?
I will work to correct this problem by the recruitment of industry to our state. I am a pro-business candidate and self-made businessman that knows how to accomplish this…
5. The Legislature this year again discussed, but did not pass lottery and gambling legislation. As governor, what action would you take on lottery and gambling legislation in the years to come?
I will personally hold meetings with all legislators and use a business-type approach while creating good working relationships to finally accomplish passing a lottery bill. I will personally push for the citizens to vote and decide on the fate of the lottery and gaming. Our citizens tax money is what operates this state therefore citizens should have the final say in important matters like this.
6. Alabama is one of 12 states that declined to expand Medicaid health coverage to cover more people since 2010. The federal government is again offering incentives to such states to expand now. Do you believe Alabama should expand its Medicaid program to extend health coverage to more people or not?
I am 100% for Medicaid expansion in Alabama. It is unacceptable for any child to not be able to have health care due to lack of sustainable employment for their parents.
7. The 2019 National Assessment of Education Progress had Alabama ranked 52nd for fourth grade reading and 49th for fourth and eighth grade reading. The Alabama Legislature has sought to address these problems through passage of the Alabama Literacy Act and the Alabama Numeracy Act. Do you support these measures? What would you do as governor to address Alabama’s education shortcomings?
I think that Alabama has not gotten the basic premise of operating a basic solid educational system correct yet. I think Alabama needs to get politics out of the classroom and get back to the basics of teaching accurate details of history and world class math, science, reading and English. We need leadership from the governor’s office to accomplish this and I will be that guiding force.
8. While Alabama’s unemployment rate is at an historic low, the state continues to see a shortage of workers. What should be done to address that?
Alabama’s unemployment record might be at a record low but this is based on minimum-wage type jobs that citizens cannot live a comfortable lifestyle with . I am focusing on good-paying jobs with livable wages that include benefits such as health care and retirement benefits. Retail and assembly jobs are the norm for Alabama currently. This is not the type of industry that I will be recruiting for our state.