Democrats Expect Close Races In November

by WAKA Action 8 News

One of the hottest races that we should see is the attorney general’s race, pitting Republican incumbent Luther Strange against Democratic state representative Joe Hubbard.

It’s no secret that Alabama is a red state. Republicans have a supermajority in the legislature and control the state government. But the State Democratic Party Chairperson says not to count her party out yet. 

“We have an outstanding group of candidates running statewide and I really do believe we’re going to surprise some people. I think we’re going to win some races. I look forward to seeing this state turning purple and then blue,” said Nancy Worley. 

Some of those candidates have managed to raise quite a bit of money. Joe Hubbard is one of the most well funded democrats in the state. He says that will help voters take him seriously. 

“It sets us up as a campaign that can run neck and neck with Luther Strange. This is not going to be the kind of campaign where the Republican is going to have all the money and he’s going to drown out messages,” said Hubbard.

Even though Attorney General Luther Strange has a significant opponent going in to November, he says he wants to stay focused on his time in office. 

“I’m just going to talk about what we’ve done. We have a fantastic record over the last three and a half years. I think on all issues we’re doing what the people of Alabama want us to do,” said Strange.

Both men say they have plans set out for what to do after the votes are in.

“There’s reforms in our prisons, there’s reforms in sentencing, making sure there’s laws on the books that really go after the kind of criminals, for example murders on student property,” said Strange.

“Talk to any Alabamian, what do they want most? They want their children and grandchildren to be able to come back home to raise their families. But they can’t do that if Alabama is not a safe and stable home for them to come back to,” said Hubbard.

One of the other close races that Worley expects is the race for governor, pitting Governor Robert Bentley against democratic challenger Parker Griffith. 

The general election is on November 4th later this year.