Free Republic

MONTGOMERY -- Sounding a populist tone she attributes to her rural, meager upbringing, Alabama Democratic gubernatorial nominee Lucy Baxley on Wednesday unveiled a nine-point agenda topped by promises to roll back annual property reappraisals and raise the minimum wage to $6.15 per hour.

Poll: Riley starts with big lead Capital Bureau Sunday, June 18, 2006 By BILL BARROW MONTGOMERY -- Gov. Bob Riley is beginning his general election campaign for a second term with a 2-to-1 lead over Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, according to the results of a new statewide survey. The Press-Register/University of South Alabama poll found that Riley, the Republican nominee, was the choice of 53 percent of those polled, while Baxley, the Democratic challenger, garnered 25 percent support. The remaining 22 percent were undecided. Riley's lead in the poll came in part from tangible support among unlikely sources: black voters...

Democratic Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley may not be the only woman running for governor next year. Republican state Sen. Harri Anne Smith says she's seriously considering entering the race. "Over the next couple of months, I'll be traveling the state and meeting with party people and people in the community," she said. Smith, R-Slocomb, said she is so serious that she has had polling done, and she expects to make a decision before the end of the year. No Republican has officially announced yet for the 2006 governor's race, but Gov. Bob Riley and former Chief Justice Roy Moore are...

Siegelman calls for tougher sex offender penalties Saturday, July 23, 2005 By NADIA MOHANDESSI Staff Reporter Former Gov. Don Siegelman called for the Alabama Legislature to toughen a sexual offender bill Friday afternoon and include mandatory castration and the death penalty for persons convicted of violent sex crimes against children under 12. "An ankle bracelet is not going to stay on if a sexual predator wants it off," Siegelman said. "The Legislature has got to get serious about protecting Alabama's children or go home." Many observers expect Siegelman to announce his intention to run for governor again, though no official...