NRCC MEMO: ALABAMA PRIMARY RESULTS
TO: INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: NRCC POLITICAL AND NRCC COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: JUNE 2, 2010
SUBJECT: ALABAMA PRIMARY RESULTS
Washington Democrats’ agenda of more spending and less jobs has severely hurt the Democratic Party in Alabama. They began 2009 with three Democratic congressman, but now they’re down to just two. By next year, they may control just one congressional seat.
Democrat Incumbents:
AL-02 (Rep. Bobby Bright, D)
Since no candidate received the necessary 50 percent of the vote tonight, the top two finishers – Martha Roby and Rick Barber – will face off in a runoff in six weeks from now to determine who will challenge freshman Democrat Bobby Bright.
Rick Barber is a small business owner and Marine Corps Veteran.
Martha Roby has made a name for herself as a dedicated public servant while serving on the Montgomery City Council. During her tenure, Roby routinely opposed then-Mayor Bright’s tax increases.
Bright is endangered partly because of his district’s strong GOP underpinnings, but also because he’s refused to stand up for Alabama seniors. Sadly, he’s chosen to roll over for the President Obama’s Medicare-cutting healthcare takeover, calling talk of repeal “immature politics.” Bright also opposed a cost-of-living increase for struggling seniors on Social Security.
History: Having been represented by former GOP Rep. Terry Everett from 1993 until his retirement in 2009, this district has strong Republican leanings. George W. Bush carried this district by 34 points in 2004, and John McCain notched a 26-point victory in 2008. The Cook PVI rating is R +16.
Geography: The Second District includes much of Montgomery, Alabama’s capitol city, as well as the Wiregrass region in the southeast corner of the state.
Republican Incumbents:
AL-05 (Rep. Parker Griffith, R)
Dr. Parker Griffith was elected to Congress in 2008 as a conservative Southern Democrat, but soon found out that President Obama and Speaker Pelosi are bent on a liberal agenda that is killing Tennessee Valley jobs. In December 2009 – after voting against the stimulus, cap-and-trade and the healthcare takeover – Griffith became a Republican.
In tonight’s primary, Parker Griffith lost to Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks. Griffith has been a dedicated member of the House Republican Conference, but ultimately every incumbent has to earn the support of local voters. We look forward to working with Mo Brooks as we prepare to keep this seat in the Republican column in November.
Mo Brooks has a long record of serving Alabama families through his work as a State Representative, Madison County District Attorney and Madison County Commissioner. While serving in the Alabama House, Brooks was elected Republican House Caucus Chairman three times and was highlighted by Alabama Magazine as one of the most effective legislators. Brooks was also recognized by the Alabama Taxpayers’ Defense Fund for his work fighting taxes and the Alabama Alliance of Businesses and Industry for his pro-jobs record.
In this overwhelmingly Republican district, Brooks starts out the favorite against liberal lobbyist Steve Raby, who won tonight’s Democrat primary.
History: In 2004, George W. Bush carried the district with 60% of the vote. It trended even more Republican in 2008, when John McCain won by 23%. The Cook PVI rating is R+12.
Geography: The Fifth Congressional District covers North Alabama and is anchored by Huntsville, a hub for aerospace and defense jobs.
RESULTS:
The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election in Alabama. These results are UNOFFICIAL AND INCOMPLETE until certified by the Alabama Secretary of State.
*Denotes winner
AL-02 (GOP primary)
99.5% precincts in
Roby 48.6%
Barber 28.5%
Bell 18.5%
AL-05 (GOP primary)
99.7% precincts in
Brooks 50.8%
Griffith 33.4%
Philip 15.7%
AL-05 (Democrat primary)
99.7% precincts in
Raby 61.6%*
Shepard 22.8%
Howie 11.7%