When longtime Democratic State Rep Nelson Starkey died late last year, the Alabama Republican Party made it clear they wanted to take over his swing seat. GOP Gov Bob Riley interfered in the race in attempt to recruit a stronger candidate, the Republican nominee launched a whisper campaign against the Democrat, and the state Republican party paid for and distributed a last minute smear mailer.
And yet after all that Democrat Tammy Irons (http://www.tammyirons.com) still defeated her Republican opponent by a landslide of at least 20%.
The special election for District 001 is especially significant because State House District 001 is a virtual microcosm of the state. The district's demographic and political breakdowns are almost identical to that of the state as a whole.
For example in 2002, District 001 was split almost precisely down the middle in the governor's race. District 001 gave both candidates nearly the same number of votes, and as most Alabamians remember the state as a whole was just as evenly divided in the 2002 governor's race.
Also, Lauderdale County, in which District 001 resides, cast an almost identical vote as the state as a whole in the 2004 presidential race. George W. Bush carried Lauderdale County and Alabama with over 60% of the vote.
The fact that after seriously targeting the race, Republicans could only muster less than 40%of the vote shows that Republican bluster about taking over the Alabama legislature is all talk.
The Alabama legislature has been a bulwark against the GOP wave that has swept over the state in the last decade. State Republicans are targeting the legislature to complete their eradication of Dem control at the state level. Since the State Senate currently hosts a 25-10 Dem margin, the GOP has focused on the more narrowly divided State House.
Yet with tonight's special election not only Republican hopes of controlling have been dashed but also Democratic challengers to incumbent Republicans have been emboldened and energized.
To show your support (financial or otherwise) for the Alabama Democratic Party visit the website at http://aladems.org or the blog at "http://aladems.net .