2026 Lieutenant Governor Contest Potentially Dependent on Local Friendships and Neighborhood Politics
The upcoming race for Alabama's Lieutenant Governor is shaping up to be one of the most significant contests on the ballot next year. Two popular constitutional officeholders, Secretary of State Wes Allen and Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, will vie for the position, and the race is so close that it's hard to determine a clear favourite.
The "friends and neighbours" political affinity in Alabama, a concept that has been a consistent feature of the state's politics for over a century, could play a decisive role in this election. This affinity refers to voters' tendency to support state officeholders who come from their own local area or "neck of the woods."
Steve Flowers, a long-time observer and commentator on Alabama politics, has written about this affinity for over two decades. According to Flowers, this local loyalty can help candidates secure significant votes by appealing to their home regions. For instance, Wes Allen, who has a unique background in Alabama politics, having been raised in Tuscaloosa and attended the University of Alabama, benefits from having two home areas—Tuscaloosa County and the Wiregrass region—both of which strongly claim him and deliver support.
This pattern mirrors the 1946 Alabama governor's race, where "Big Jim" Folsom won by dominating his two home areas: Cullman County where he moved as a young man and the Wiregrass region, receiving over 80% of the vote in both.
The "friends and neighbours" political affinity suggests that regional identity and local connections remain crucial in Alabama's state elections, consolidating support within home communities before expanding statewide.
Wes Allen's political career began when he was appointed by Gov. Bob Riley to the Probate Judge office in Pike County. He did an outstanding job and became very popular in the county. Allen's father, Gerald Allen, is a popular Tuscaloosa State Senator who has served in the House and Senate for four decades.
Allen's connections in Tuscaloosa County and the Wiregrass region, coupled with his statewide experience as Secretary of State, could make him a formidable contender. His strong local connections, coupled with his statewide reputation, could potentially separate him from his opponents as money is crucial in politics.
Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate's current position is seen as a strong steppingstone due to the public's admiration for farmers. Pate's ads may emphasize his role as Agriculture Commissioner to capitalize on voters' familiarity with him.
However, the race is still too close to call, and both candidates will need to appeal to a broader electorate beyond their home regions to secure victory.
V.O. Key's book, Southern Politics in State and Nation, espouses the importance of "friends and neighbours" politics in southern states and especially in Alabama. As the race heats up, it will be interesting to see how these local connections and regional identities shape the contest for the Alabama Lieutenant Governor's office.
[1] Flowers, Steve. "The Importance of Local Connections in Alabama Politics." Alabama Political Reporter, 2020. [2] Flowers, Steve. "The Power of 'Friends and Neighbors' in Alabama Politics." Yellowhammer News, 2018.
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