Buying Time 2012: Alabama
For information on Alabama's spending, and all other television spending in state Supreme Court races, click here.
Alabama was one of the first states to experience runaway spending and negative advertising in judicial elections, and its judicial elections have been among the nation’s most expensive. From 2000-2009, candidates for Alabama’s supreme court raised $40.9 million — more than double what was raised in the next most expensive state. Over the same decade, Alabama ranked second nationally in spending on TV ads (with $15.6 million spent on airtime). Only Ohio ($21.3 million) saw more spending on TV ads between 2000 and 2009.
In 2012, the race for Chief Justice is the most hotly contested. In the Republican primary, incumbent Charles Malone faced former Attorney General Charles Graddick and former Chief Justice Roy Moore. After winning with just over 50 percent of the vote, Moore will face Circuit Judge Robert Vance, the Democratic nominee, in the November general election.
Justices Lyn Stuart, Glenn Murdock, and Jim Main are also seeking re-election, but are running unopposed in both the primary and general. Meanwhile, Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Judge Tommy Bryan prevailed in the primary against Judge Debra Jones of the Alabama 7th Circuit for the seat of retiring Justice Thomas Woodall. He is running unopposed in the general election.
The general election will be held on November 6.
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Leading up to the November 2012 election, the Brennan Center will release real-time reports on television advertising in state supremec ourt elections, presented here at “Buying Time — 2012.” These reports continue the groundbreaking analysis first conducted in 2000 examining the sponsorship, content and costs of televised state supreme court campaign ads.
Click here to return to the Buying Time — 2012 Homepage.
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October 3, 2012- My Dad
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Judge Bob Vance talks about how his life changed when his father, who was a federal judge, was killed by a bomb sent to his home.
March 8, 2012- Graddick Experience?
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Chief Justice Malone says, "On Charlie Graddick's watch there was an abuse of power."
March 3, 2012 - Bio
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Judge Roy Moore says he knows "our liberty is given by God, not government."
March 1, 2012- Experience
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Chief Justice Malone says that every time he puts on his robe, he puts his conservative values to work.
February 29, 2012- Count Blessings
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Judge Tommy Bryan says he is rooted in faith and family.
February 20, 2012- Eliminate Waste
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Judge Graddick says that as Chief Justice, he will eliminate waste.
February 20, 2012- Earn It
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Judge Graddick says he is experienced and conservative.
February 15, 2012 – Responsibility
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Chief Justice Chuck Malone says he takes his oath to uphold the constitution very seriously.
News
Tim Lockette, Alabama Chief Justice Race Soon to See Some Advertising, The Anniston Star, October 3, 2012.
Kim Chandler, Judge Robert Vance will be Democrats' candidate for Alabama chief justice, Alabama.com Montgomery Bureau, August 22, 2012.
Eric Velasco, New candidate sought to replace Alabama chief justice nominee Harry Lyon, Birmingham News, August 18, 2012.
Sebastian Kitchen, Roy Moore: ‘The people have spoken’, Montgomery Advertiser, March 14, 2012.
Brendan Kirby, Alabama Supreme Court candidates find campaign contributions harder to come by, Mobile Press-Register, February 26, 2012.
Eric Velasco, Alabama remains a big spender in court elections, The Birmingham News, October 30, 2011.
