Hillary Clinton
Related: About this forumHillary Clinton announces Alabama leadership team
More than 60 Alabama officials, including U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham and a couple dozen state lawmakers, were tapped to build Hillary Clinton's campaign organization in the state, the Clinton campaign announced Friday.
The launch of Clinton's "Alabama Leadership Council" comes a month after the former secretary of state and Democratic front-runner visited Hoover to give a speech to the Alabama Democratic Conference convention at the Wynfrey Hotel. In her speech, Clinton called the state's decision to close 31 driver's license offices "a blast from the Jim Crow past," and slammed Alabama's voter ID laws. Clinton is also set to visit the state Dec. 1, when she's scheduled to be in Montgomery to help mark the 60th anniversary of the bus boycott.
The council "will serve as the in-state leadership for the campaign, amplifying the campaign's national voice to Alabama families aiding the campaign with rapid response, organization building, grassroots organizing events, recruiting volunteer leaders, and identifying leaders for get out the vote activities," the Clinton campaign said. The leadership council members "share Clinton's commitment to fighting for Alabama families, including raising wages for the middle class, her plan to reform health care to reduce prescription drug costs, her passion for reforming the criminal justice system and her belief that debt should never be a barrier for students going to college and much more."
Sewell, the top elected official on the council and an early endorser of Clinton, said the former secretary of state is "the most qualified candidate to run for president."
"Hillary Clinton understands the needs of working families, and whether it's her plan to make college more affordable, defend our voting rights, reform our criminal justice system, or help in raising incomes, it's clear she is a proven fighter for underserved and underrepresented communities," she said. "Hillary Clinton shares the values of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, and I am confident in her ability to tackle the tough issues facing our nation."
Republicans used the announcement to slam Clinton's positions and record as secretary of state.
"Hillary Clinton's Alabama leadership team should explain why they stand with a candidate who refuses to break from the President's failed strategy to defeat ISIS," Republican National Committee spokeswoman Ali Pardo said in a statement. "Even as the Obama-Clinton foreign policy lies in tatters, Clinton continues to double down on the existing Obama strategy and show why she cannot be trusted to keep America safe."
State Rep. Dario Melton, D-Selma, is among five state senators and 25 state lawmakers on the council and praised Clinton for her Hoover visit.
"I was proud to see Hillary Clinton reaching out to the people of Alabama by coming to break bread with the Alabama Democratic family," he said. "Her dedication to working with Democrats even in deeply red states shows that she understands the weight and worth of each and every vote, and will be a president for all Americans."
Birmingham Mayor William Bell, who shared the stage with Clinton at the Wynfrey, said the Democratic front-runner "has demonstrated that she has the knowledge and compassion to lead this country. To that end, I along with other political leaders are forming the Alabama Leadership Council to assist her in this noble effort to become the next president."
Leanne Townsend, a grassroots organizer who was the first person hired by Clinton's campaign in Alabama back in May, said Clinton is "the obvious candidate to energize grassroots leaders and to begin to rebuild unity among the sometimes splintered Democrats of Alabama."
The initial members of the Alabama Leadership Council also include former Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr., former Congressman Earl Hilliard, Sr., and ex-Selma Mayor James Perkins Sr. The full list, which is expected to expand, can be viewed below:
US Representative Terri Sewell
State Senator Linda Coleman
State Senate Vivian Davis Figures
State Senator Pricilla Dunn
State Senator Rodger Smitherman
State Senator Bobby Singleton
House Democratic Caucus Chair Darrio Melton
State Representative Louise Alexander
State Representative George Bandy
State Representative Barbara Boyd
State Representative Napolean Bracy
State Representative James Buskey
State Representative Merika Coleman
State Representative David Colsten
State Representative Chris England
State Representative Laura Hall
State Representative Alvin Holmes
State Representative Kelvin Lawrence
State Representative Richard Lindsey
State Representative Artis J. "A.J" McCampbell
State Representative Thad McClammy
State Representative Mary Moore
State Representative Oliver Robinson
State Representative John Rogers
State Representative Patricia Todd
Birmingham Mayor William Bell
Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford
Sheriff Derrick Cunningham
District Attorney Michael Jackson
State School Board Member Dr. Yvette Robinson
State School Board Member Ella Bell
Probate Judge Steven Reed
Former U.S Congressman Earl Hilliard Sr.
Former Governor Jim Folsom Jr.
Former First Lady Marsha Folsom
Former Lieutenant Governor Jere Beasley
Former State Senator Rodger Bedford
Former Mayor of Selma James Perkins Jr.
Retired Federal Judge U.W. Clemon
Retired Circuit Court Judge Charles Price
DNC Member Rev. Randy Kelley
DNC Member Unzell Kelley
DNC Member Janet May
DNC Member Charles "Redding" Pitt
Civil Rights Advocate Fred Gray
Community Leader Leanne Townsend
Community Leader Jim Spearman
Community Leader Greg Allen
Community Leader Pat Edington
Community Leader Giles Perkins
Community Leader Patrick Grayson
Community Leader Faye Rose Sanders
Community Leader Jordon Cozby
Community Leader Courtney French
Community Leader Darby Luxenburg
Community Leader Dr. Joe M Reed
Community Leader Freddie Rubio
Community Leader Natalie Kelly
Community Leader William "Billy" Young
Faith Leader Bishop Effell Williams
Grassroots Volunteer Leader Vivian Beckerle
Grassroots Volunteer Leader Timothy Bolden
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/11/hillary_clinton_announces_alab.html
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)BootinUp
(47,165 posts)bluestateguy
(44,173 posts)Not just in the primary, but in November, for the general election.
I look forward to seeing that plan!
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)The best plan is to convince Republicans they vote on Wednesdays!
It is what it is - for a while longer.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)bravenak
(34,648 posts)They are already voting Clinton.
Cha
(297,295 posts)To family~
bravenak
(34,648 posts)Cha
(297,295 posts)Walk away
(9,494 posts)as a whole human being! Boy, would I love to see my "origin" state go Blue for 2016!!!!!!
Cha
(297,295 posts)but always a place in my heart for the home of the Liberty Bell.
Cha
(297,295 posts)Mahalo Historic!
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)Would love to see a blue Texas.
Rose Siding
(32,623 posts)That'll be an interesting Thanksgiving table this year
yallerdawg
(16,104 posts)December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks took a stand - by not standing and moving to the back of the bus!
I took my entire family to see President Obama speak at the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma earlier this year.
You bet we will make that 3 mile drive from our house to see the future Madame President of the United States in downtown Montgomery!
We can hardly wait! Details to come!
Democrats are everywhere!