The Alabama Attorney General election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Republican Luther Strange won with 58.8 percent of the vote over Democrat James Anderson, who garnered 41.1 percent. The candidates sought to replace outgoing attorney general Troy King, who won his seat in 2006 but lost to Strange in the 2010 Republican primary.
Alabama Power
In early 2007, The Birmingham News published an investigative article saying that King and a choir group from his church had accepted free tickets, food, and skybox access to an Atlanta Braves baseball game from the Alabama Power Company the previous season. Alabama Power had not reported the gifts to the appropriate ethics agencies as required until contacted by the newspaper. According to the article, King said, "Alabama Power offered him the tickets because his church choir had been asked to sing the national anthem," though they eventually canceled the performance.[1] King reimbursed Alabama Power $486 for his family's food and argued that it was the responsibility of Alabama Power to have reported the matter in the first place. Tuscaloosa News said, "Alabama law requires lobbyists and companies to file a report with the state Ethics Commission when they spend $250 or more a day to entertain a public official."[2]
Federal prosecutors, in May 2009, "subpoenaed records seeking information about King's travel, purchases and any gifts he might have received while in office."[1] King was not charged in the matter.[2]
Transocean Offshore Drilling Co.
Documents filed with the United States Senate showed that throughout the 1980s and 90s, Luther Strange served as a Washington lobbyist for a number of corporations, including those within the oil industry. Among them was Transocean Offshore Drilling, owner of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in late April 2010, resulting in an oil spill that damaged the coastal economies and ecosystems of several states, including Alabama.[3]
King said that this relationship compromised Strange's ability to pursue legal claims against Transocean and BP, which had leased Deepwater Horizon, for spill-related damages. Strange said that his work for Transocean involved "only federal legislative monitoring." Furthermore, Transocean had been reincorporated twice through mergers in the 2000s, so Strange said it was not the same company he had represented in the past. As a result, he said his previous work would have "absolutely no bearing on [his] intent to pursue all those responsible for the tragedy."[3]
Race tracking
- See also: State Attorneys General/Election Racetracking
Both Ballotpedia and Governing magazine predicted a Republican would become Alabama's new attorney general.
General Election campaign
Candidates
Republican Party - Birmingham attorney Luther Strange[5]
Democratic Party - Montgomery attorney James Anderson[6]
General election results
Endorsements
James Anderson
Luther Strange
Finances
According to the Alabama Department of State, as of May 4, 2011, the breakdown of campaign finances during the general election was as follows:
| James Anderson Campaign Finance Reports
|
| Report
|
Date Filed
|
Beginning Balance
|
Contributions
|
In-Kind [21]
|
Other Sources
|
Expenditures
|
Cash on Hand
|
| 10-Day General[22]
|
October 28, 2010
|
$61,539.68
|
$282,855.95
|
$0.00
|
$0.00
|
$335,090.69
|
$9,304.94
|
| 45-Day General[23]
|
September 20, 2010
|
$20,826.61
|
$90,929.94
|
$0.00
|
$0.00
|
$50,216.87
|
$61,539.68
|
| Luther Strange Campaign Finance Reports
|
| Report
|
Date Filed
|
Beginning Balance
|
Contributions
|
In-Kind [21]
|
Other Sources
|
Expenditures
|
Cash on Hand
|
| 10-Day General[24]
|
October 28, 2010
|
$72,717.41
|
$661,791.00
|
$2,777.70
|
$815.67
|
$703,928.23
|
$31,395.84
|
| 45-Day General[25]
|
September 20, 2010
|
$34,889.40
|
$812,748.29
|
$14,449.15
|
$0.00
|
$838,359.27
|
$72,717.41
|
| 10-Day Pre-General[26]
|
May 27, 2010
|
$97,177.34
|
$366,590.00
|
$9,010.99
|
$25,000.00
|
$453,877.94
|
$34,889.40
|
- See also: Alabama gubernatorial election, 2010; Alabama Secretary of State election, 2010
Candidates
Electoral results
Endorsements
James Anderson
- The Daily News, a newspaper[32]
- Opelika-Auburn News, a newspaper[33]
Michel Nicrosi
- Alabama New South Coalition
- The Decatur Daily, a newspaper
Finances
According to the Alabama Department of State, as of May 4, 2011, the breakdown of campaign finances during the Democratic primary was as follows:
| James Anderson Campaign Finance Reports
|
| Report
|
Date Filed
|
Beginning Balance
|
Contributions
|
In-Kind [21]
|
Other Sources
|
Expenditures
|
Cash on Hand
|
| 10-Day Primary[34]
|
May 27, 2010
|
$122,458.99
|
$57,182.15
|
$0.00
|
$20,000.00
|
$196,427.76
|
$3,213.38
|
| 45-Day Primary[35]
|
April 19, 2010
|
$0.00
|
$146,706.86
|
$0.00
|
$3,274.87
|
$27,522.74
|
$122,458.99
|
| Michel Nicrosi Campaign Finance Reports
|
| Report
|
Date Filed
|
Beginning Balance
|
Contributions
|
In-Kind [21]
|
Other Sources
|
Expenditures
|
Cash on Hand
|
| Campaign Termination[36]
|
January 31, 2010
|
$111,706.17
|
$58,297.78
|
$415.36
|
$241.06
|
$164,586.76
|
$5,658.25
|
| 10-Day Primary Runoff[37]
|
May 27, 2010
|
$183,151.17
|
$32,100.00
|
$1,626.46
|
$0.00
|
$102,595.00
|
$111,706.17
|
| 45-Day Primary[38]
|
April 19, 2010
|
$76,670.44
|
$49,608.00
|
$0.00
|
$150,000.00
|
$93,127.27
|
$183,151.17
|
| 2009 Annual[39]
|
February 1, 2010
|
$0.00
|
$109,010.00
|
$6,309.83
|
$0.00
|
$32,339.56
|
$76,670.44
|
| Giles Perkins Campaign Finance Reports
|
| Report
|
Date Filed
|
Beginning Balance
|
Contributions
|
In-Kind [21]
|
Other Sources
|
Expenditures
|
Cash on Hand
|
| 2010 Annual[40]
|
February 9, 2011
|
$87,797.25[41]
|
$221,809.40
|
$1,500.00
|
$45,500.00
|
$369,054.10
|
$-13,947.45
|
| 10-Day Pre-General[42]
|
May 26, 2010
|
$56,704.65
|
$73,700.69
|
$0.00
|
$45,500.00
|
$167,307.32
|
$8,598.02
|
| 45-Day Primary[43]
|
April 19, 2010
|
$87,797.25
|
$99,361.05
|
$1,500.00
|
$0.00
|
$130,453.65
|
$56,704.65
|
| 2009 Annual[44]
|
February 1, 2010
|
$0.00
|
$145,504.54
|
$500.00
|
$1,000.00
|
$58,707.29
|
$87,797.25
|
Candidates
- Incumbent Troy King announced in March 2009 that he intended to seek re-election to his position in the 2010 elections.[45]
- Birmingham attorney Luther Strange[46]
Electoral results
Endorsements
Troy King
Luther Strange
- Birmingham News, local newspaper[51]
- C. Wilson Blaylock, Cullman County District Attorney
- Chandler Harris, National Secretary for the College Republican National Committee
- Governor Bob Riley[52]
- Opelika-Auburn News, local newspaper[53]
- Rob Broussard, Madison County District Attorney[54]
- Shelby County Chiefs of Police Association
- Wilson Blaylock, Cullman County District Attorney[54]
Finances
According to the Alabama Department of State, as of May 4, 2011, the breakdown of campaign finances in the Republican primary was as follows:
| Troy King Campaign Finance Reports
|
| Report
|
Date Filed
|
Beginning Balance
|
Contributions
|
In-Kind [21]
|
Other Sources
|
Expenditures
|
Cash on Hand
|
| Campaign Termination[55]
|
January 31, 2011
|
$11,548.02
|
$357,120.00
|
$0.00
|
$1,675.11
|
$370,343.13
|
$0.00
|
| 10-Day Pre-General[56]
|
May 25, 2010
|
$290,117.75
|
$366,485.00
|
$3,160.00
|
$100,000.00
|
$745,054.73
|
$11,548.02
|
| 45-Day Primary[57]
|
April 19, 2010
|
$694,210.05
|
$149,616.10
|
$0.00
|
$203.44
|
$553,911.84
|
$290,117.75
|
| 2009 Annual[58]
|
February 1, 2010
|
$2,646.02
|
$715,025.17
|
$7,692.57
|
$375,602.45
|
$399,063.59
|
$694,210.05
|
| 2008 Annual[59]
|
February 2, 2009
|
$50,774.90
|
$0.00
|
$0.00
|
$1,000.00
|
$49,128.88
|
$2,646.02
|
| Luther Strange Campaign Finance Reports
|
| Report
|
Date Filed
|
Beginning Balance
|
Contributions
|
In-Kind [21]
|
Other Sources
|
Expenditures
|
Cash on Hand
|
| 45-Day Primary[60]
|
April 19, 2010
|
$600,848.42
|
$354,011.00
|
$13,413.21
|
$1,243.44
|
$858,925.52
|
$97,177.34
|
| 2009 Annual[61]
|
February 1, 2010
|
$0.00
|
$906,767.95
|
$27,087.15
|
$14,784.97
|
$320,704.50
|
$600,848.42
|
Polling
| Date of Poll
|
Pollster
|
Troy King (R)
|
Luther Strange (R)
|
Undecided
|
Number polled
|
| February 3 - 4[62]
|
Public Stategies Associates
|
27%
|
24%
|
49%
|
1,007
|
| March 22 - 23
|
McLaughlin & Associates
|
35%
|
34%
|
31%
|
500
|
| March 27 - 29[63]
|
Public Policy Polling
|
37%
|
32%
|
31%
|
457
|
| May 10 - 11[64]
|
Public Stategies Associates
|
25%
|
50%
|
25%
|
1,005
|
Election results
Endorsements
James Anderson
Giles Perkins
Finances
According to the Alabama Department of State, as of May 4, 2011, the breakdown of campaign finances during the Democratic primary runoff was as follows:
| James Anderson Campaign Finance Reports
|
| Report
|
Date Filed
|
Beginning Balance
|
Contributions
|
In-Kind [21]
|
Other Sources
|
Expenditures
|
Cash on Hand
|
| 10-Day Primary Runoff[72]
|
July 8, 2010
|
$3,213.38
|
$89,976.78
|
$0.00
|
$0.00
|
$72,363.55
|
$20,826.61
|
| Giles Perkins Campaign Finance Reports
|
| Report
|
Date Filed
|
Beginning Balance
|
Contributions
|
In-Kind [21]
|
Other Sources
|
Expenditures
|
Cash on Hand
|
| 10-Day Primary Runoff[73]
|
July 8, 2010
|
$8,598.02
|
$36,999.13
|
$0.00
|
$0.00
|
$29,533.14
|
$16,064.01
|
See also
Other elections
External links
General Election candidates
Former candidates
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Alabama Live, "U.S. attorney seeks records from Alabama Attorney General Troy King in wide-ranging subpoena" 13 May, 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tuscaloosa News, "Troy King allows room for unethical practices to persist," January 16, 2007
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Alabama Live, "Records show AG candidate Luther Strange once lobbied for Deepwater Horizon owner" 7 May, 2010
- ↑ Governing “Attorney General Race Ratings” 12 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Birmingham Business Journal, "Luther Strange announces run for attorney general" 13 May, 2009
- ↑ WTVY News 4 "James Anderson Joins Alabama Attorney General Race" 17 Jan. 2010
- ↑ Alabama Secretary of State - 2010 General Election Results
- ↑ Alabama AFL-CIO - 2010 Candidate Endorsements
- ↑ Roots Wire, "Alabama AFL-CIO Announces 2010 Endorsements" 11 Aug. 2010
- ↑ ABC 32 WNCF TV "Anderson Receives Endorsement for AG by AL Fraternal Order of Police" 20 Sept. 2010
- ↑ Fight for Alabama, "Alabama Fraternal Order of Police Endorses Anderson and Lt. Gov. Folsom" 21 Sept. 2010 (dead link)
- ↑ Greene County Democrat, "ANSC endorses Ron Sparks for Governor and other Democratic candidates for state office" 23 Sept. 2010
- ↑ Birmingham News, "OUR VIEW: James Anderson is the better of two good choices for attorney general" 26 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Communication Workers of America - Endorsements
- ↑ Life News, "Alabama Pro-Life Group Endorses Candidates in Upcoming 2010 Elections" 5 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Doc's Political Parlor, "ALFA's Farm-PAC Makes Endorsement Recommendations" 23 July, 2010
- ↑ The Birmingham News, "Virginia's attorney general endorses Alabama Republican attorney general candidate Luther Strange" 5 Oct. 2010
- ↑ The Huntsville Times, "EDITORIAL: Luther Strange for attorney general" 29 Oct. 2010
- ↑ NFIB "NFIB/Alabama Supports Luther Strange for Attorney General" 5 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Doc's Political Parlor, "Mitt Romney Endorses 24 Alabama Candidates, But..." 30 Sept. 2010
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.8 As these are not cash contributions, they are not reflected in the reported ending balance.
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - James Anderson 10-5 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - James Anderson 45 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Luther Strange 10 Day General Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Luther Strange 45 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Luther Strange 10 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Live, "Birmingham attorney Giles Perkins says he's running for state attorney general" 21 Oct. 2009
- ↑ Jere Beasley Report, "Michel Nicrosi to run for Attorney General" 10 Dec. 2009
- ↑ WTVY News 4 "James Anderson Joins Alabama Attorney General Race" 17 Jan. 2010
- ↑ Alabama Secretary of State - 2010 Democratic Primary Election Results
- ↑ Even though James Anderson received the most votes, he failed to receive over fifty percent of those votes required by Alabama state law. A runoff election between the top two vote recipients, therefore, was required to decide who went on to the general election.
- ↑ The Daily News, "Political endorsements" 26 May, 2010
- ↑ Opelika-Auburn News, "Editorial: Time for a change in attorney general’s office" 24 May, 2010
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - James Anderson 10 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - James Anderson 45 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Michel Nicrosi Campaign Termination Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Michel Nicrosi 10 Day Primary Runoff Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Michel Nicrosi 45 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Michel Nicrosi 2009 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Giles Perkins 2010 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ This is the ending balance of the previous (2009) annual report, it does not correspond to the 10-Day Primary Runoff report listed below.
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Giles Perkins 10 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Giles Perkins 45 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Giles Perkins 2009 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Live, "Troy King says he'll seek re-election as Alabama's attorney general" 12 March, 2009
- ↑ Birmingham Business Journal, "Luther Strange announces run for attorney general" 13 May, 2009
- ↑ Alabama Secretary of State - 2010 Republican Primary Election Results
- ↑ Left in Alabama, "ALFA's Farm-PAC Endorsements Interesting For What They Leave Out" 28 Jan. 2010
- ↑ Alabama Live, "Alabama FOP board endorses Attorney General Troy King for re-election" 15 Oct. 2009
- ↑ WSFA 12 News, "King picks up B'ham FOP endorsement" 8 March, 2010
- ↑ Birmingham News, "OUR VIEW: Luther Strange is by far the best Republican candidate for Alabama's attorney general, and Michel Nicrosi is our pick of the three solid Democratic choices" 24 May, 2010
- ↑ News-Talk 1079 FM "Strange Endorsement From Riley" 27 May, 2010
- ↑ Opelika-Auburn News, "Editorial: Time for a change in attorney general’s office" 24 May, 2010
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 WHNT News 19 "District Attorneys Endorse Luther Strange for Attorney General" 25 May, 2010
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Troy King Campaign Termination Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Troy King 10 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Troy King 45 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Troy King 2009 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Troy King 2008 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Luther Strange 45 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Luther Strange 2009 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Public Strategies Associates "Independent Statewide Poll Shows Byrne, Moore in Close Race; King and Strange Neck-and-Neck; Huckabee Leading Palin" 9 Feb. 2010
- ↑ Public Policy Polling "Davis, Byrne ahead in primaries" 30 March, 2010
- ↑ Public Strategies Associates "Independent Statewide Poll Shows Byrne, James Neck and Neck; Strange Pulls Away from King" 13 May, 2010
- ↑ Alabama Secretary of State - 2010 Democratic Primary Runoff Election Results
- ↑ The Birmingham News, "OUR VIEW: Alabama Democrats' best choice for attorney general is James Anderson" 5 July, 2010
- ↑ Left in Alabama, "Giles Perkins Wins New South Endorsement for Runoff" 16 June, 2010
- ↑ The Birmingham Times, "Giles Perkins Endorsed By Alabama New South Coalition" 24 June, 2010
- ↑ The Anniston Star, "Byrne is best GOP choice" 9 July, 2010
- ↑ Florence Times Daily, "Byrne picked" 9 July, 2010
- ↑ The Huffington Post, "Howard Dean Urges Support for Giles Perkins" 1 July, 2010
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - James Anderson 10 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Alabama Department of State - Giles Perkins 10 Day Pre-Election Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
Luther Strange
Democratic primary
Republican primary
