"He said, He said" battle between two District 73 candidates

Posted: Aug 15, 2010 8:32 AM CDT Updated: Aug 15, 2010 10:00 AM CDT

MONTGOMERY, AL. (WSFA) - The battle of words begins between two candidates for state representative.

Democratic nominee for district 73 Joe Hubbard, is accusing his republican opponent David Grimes of violating the "Clean Campaign" pledge.  Back in June the candidates sign a pledge promising to do a fair political battle.  Hubbard believes that Grimes is breaking the promise by permitting negative campaigning with over the phone polls.

The poll question reads "How do you feel to know hat Joe Hubbard is a lawyer who has sued local businesses and has defended many corrupt Montgomery politicians?"

Grimes says, "Hubbard is a lawyer and that is what he does. These are just situations that happen in politics."

For now, the two will not see eye to eye on the issue as the "he said, he said" battle continues between the two candidates.

View the article at the WSFA website.

"I have heard from (party chairman) Mike Hubbard  and (party executive director) John Ross that they  are very unhappy that question is in the poll. Everything else in there is OK," Grimes said.
 
Bryan responded: "Mike Hubbard isn't mad. John Ross isn't mad."
 
Grimes said he did not know if Joe Hubbard had  represented corrupt politicians or if he had sued  local businesses. He said only 300 people in the district of 48,000 received the call.
 
Grimes said information from the website of  Hubbard's law firm, stating he "has represented  many county officials, including sheriffs and county  commissioners, in state and federal court," was  used to help assemble the questions.
 
"I have not looked at his record. I have not gone fishing to find bad stuff on him," Grimes said. "I d on't know what he does. I do not care what he does. My campaign did not pay for it."
 
He said he would point out to people that Hubbard  is a Democrat and that he is supported by the Alabama Education Association.
 
In explaining why Grimes did not know as much  about some of the details, Bryan said "This is our  poll ... We paid for it." He said the party researched  the questions. 
 
Bryan said the party is message-testing issues to  determine which issues resonate with voters, and to determine where to spend its resources leading up to the November election. He said the party wants accurate information, which it would not receive from a push poll.
 
Bryan said the Alabama Republican Party and  McLaughlin & Associates do not have a reputation or record for running push polls. He contested several previous claims by Democrats that polls being run in other House and Senate districts were "deceptive and negative push polls."
 
Hubbard believes the poll is a violation of the Clean Campaign Pledge that he and Grimes signed in June.
 
"Mr. Grimes can run his campaign how they want to or the Republican Party can run his campaign how they want to, but I am going to run my campaign the way I told the people of this community I would," he said.
 
Grimes disagrees that he violated the pledge and said Hubbard misrepresented and took liberties with several points in their conversation. 

Hubbard waits for Grimes to send him copy of questions

MONTGOMERY -- Yesterday, Joe Hubbard, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 73, received a telephone call from his opponent, Rep. David Grimes.  Grimes called to offer an explanation on the push-poll that has cast doubt on the "Clean Campaign Pledge" the two candidates made in June on the steps of the Alabama Statehouse. 

Representative Grimes told Hubbard that the push-poll was, in fact, authorized by his campaign and was funded by the Republican Party.  He also confirmed that he had signed off on the questions in the poll before they were sent to the polling firm in New York.  Grimes, however, denied that the questions he signed off on mentioned anything about "corrupt Montgomery politicians."  He said that the questions had been "embellished" by the New York polling firm, and that Republican Party Chairman, Mike Hubbard, was dealing with the polling firm on the issue.

Over the weekend, Grimes adamantly denied knowing anything about the poll when questioned by WSFA.  Rep. Grimes told WSFA he was not behind the push-polls and found out about them only after they were run.  Grimes also told WSFA that one of the questions read, "How do you feel to know that Joe Hubbard is a lawyer who has sued local businesses and has defended many corrupt Montgomery politicians?" 

Hubbard is an attorney but has never represented any Montgomery public officials or sued any local businesses.  "The only public officials I represent," said Hubbard, "are the county sheriffs around this State who keep the families in our communities safe and keep our jails secure.  If those are the politicians I am accused of defending, I will accept this push-poll as a badge of honor."

Hubbard stated that he has not seen any of the questions in the push-poll, but has only heard about them from frustrated constituents.  In a spirit of cooperation, Grimes promised to fax Hubbard a copy of the questions that dealt with him, so the matter can be put to rest. 

"I'm tired of the back-and-forth," said Hubbard.  "The people of this community deserve more than political double-speak.  David and I made them a promise to rise above 'politics as usual," and that is a promise I am committed to keeping."

For more information please visit www.hubbardforhouse.com.

Representative Grimes told me that the push-poll was, in fact, authorized by his campaign, and funded by the Republican Party.  He also told me that he had signed off on the questions before they were sent to the polling firm in New York. 

These concessions were surprising in light of his adamant denial of knowing anything about the poll to WSFA.  Rep. Grimes told WSFA he was not behind the push-polls and found out about them only after they were run.  Grimes also told WSFA that one of the questions read, "How do you feel to know that Joe Hubbard is a lawyer who has sued local businesses and has defended many corrupt Montgomery politicians?"

I will readily admit that I am an attorney, but I've never represented any Montgomery public officials or sued any local business.  The only public officials I represent are the county sheriffs around this State who keep our families safe and our jails secure.  If those are the "politicians" I'm accused of representing, I will accept this push-poll as a badge of honor.

I am tired of the back-and-forth.  The peopel of my district deserve more than political double-speak.  David and I made them a promise in June that we would rise above "politics as usual," and I intend to keep that promise.

Grimes' statements to WSFA can be found on their website:

Hubbard calls on Opponent to release entire text of poll and results

MONTGOMERY -- Last week, Joe Hubbard, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 73, called on his Republican opponent to repudiate a misleading push-poll conducted about Hubbard.  Instead of distancing himself from it, Grimes, a two-term incumbent, defended the push-poll, which was conducted by the Alabama Republican party.

            On Saturday, Grimes confirmed that the Republican party faxed him a copy of the push-poll.  "I read the questions," said Grimes, "and I don't find anything personally offensive."  Hubbard responded that he has not seen the questions, and he called on Grimes to release the entire text of the push-poll and the results, if there were any.

            Grimes has released one question from the push-poll that reads, "How do you feel to know that Joe Hubbard is a lawyer who has sued local businesses and has defended many corrupt Montgomery politicians?"  Grimes stated that Hubbard is a lawyer and that's what he does.  Hubbard responded that it is true that he is an attorney, but the rest of the question has no basis in reality.

"When county sheriffs around the State are sued by convicted criminals, I represent them," Hubbard said.  "I don't represent Sheriff Marshall, and I've never represented any elected official in Montgomery County.  I've certainly never sued any businesses, here."  Hubbard said Grimes may not find these kinds of questions "personally offensive," but they are not factual and need to be repudiated under the "clean campaign" pledge. 

"These are the kind of campaign tactics that David and I promised to refrain from and repudiate," says Hubbard.  "Instead of distancing himself from these false attacks, David has chosen to defend them and now says that I need to get used to them because it's politics."  Hubbard says Grimes' support of the push-poll shows that he's bought into the political game and is more concerned with standing up for his party than standing up for what's right.

Even a local conservative talk-show host has condemned the push-poll.  Dan Morris told listeners on his morning talk-show, "Viewpoint," that his family had received the push-poll.  Morris questioned Grimes' judgment in defending the negative attacks, especially in light of the divisive June primary and the clean campaign pledge. 

           Below is Grimes' statements on the push-poll from WSFA's website:

For more information please visit www.hubbardforhouse.com.

Democratic nominee to hold forum with Montgomery chapter of women's group

MONTGOMERY -- Joe Hubbard, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 73, will speak to the Montgomery Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) this Saturday, August 14 at 2PM.

The Montgomery chapter of the influential women's non-profit organization works to ensure equality for all women and eliminate discrimination in all aspects of society.  Shirley Rawls, the chapter President, invited both Hubbard and his opponent, incumbent David Grimes, to speak at this Saturday's meeting at the Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library. According to Ms. Rawls, Hubbard is the only candidate who has confirmed to attend.

"It's an honor to have the opportunity join such a meaningful organization to discuss issues important to many of the women in this community. I know how much the support of a strong woman can mean to families.  I look forward meeting with the members of NOW and working with this organization in the months to follow."

The meeting will be held this Saturday in the second floor auditorium at the Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library. Members of the press are invited to attend.

For additional information please visit www.hubbardforhouse.com.

Push-poll Violates Candidates' Joint Clean Campaign Pledge

MONTGOMERY -- Joe Hubbard, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 73, today, called on his Republican opponent to stop negative campaign tactics in the wake of a misleading "push-poll" conducted about Hubbard earlier this week.

The push-poll went out by phone to voters throughout the 73rd district and was disguised as a public opinion poll.  The out-of-state call attempted to tarnish Hubbard with numerous false claims directed at his reputation and character.  The false claims about Hubbard were followed up by leading questions that praised Hubbard's Republican opponent, David Grimes. 

The American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) defines the practice of "push-polling" as the use of phone calls aimed at voter persuasion which are dishonestly presented as a survey of public opinion. The AAPC board joined with thirty-one professional pollsters in condemning this practice as a clear violation of the AAPC's Code of Ethics and a degradation of the political process.

"I deeply regret that my opposition has stooped to this level of negative campaign tactics, instead of focusing on the issues that matter most to this district," Hubbard said. "This push-poll is not only unethical, it violates the promise David and I both made to the people in this community when we signed the clean campaign pledge."

On June 10, 2010, Hubbard invited his Republican opponent to join him on the Statehouse steps to sign a 'clean campaign' pledge.  At the joint event, Hubbard and Grimes both vowed to "con­demn the use of any campaign material that misrepresents, distorts, or otherwise falsifies facts regarding my opponent, his political party, or any other elected official."  Both candidates agreed that the voters deserved more than the petty and personal attacks that plagued Grimes and his opponent in the Republican primary.

When Hubbard called his opponent about the push-poll, he asked Grimes to repudiate the poll and to make every effort to stop such misleading, negative campaigning.  "The people of District 73 deserve to hear the facts about us as candidates and about our respective plans to address the challenges that face this community," said Hubbard.  "The voters spoke loud and clear in the primary; they aren't interested in slander and character assassination."

For more information please visit www.hubbardforhouse.com.

Event Hosted by Prominent Attorneys from across the Political Spectrum

MONTGOMERY - Joe Hubbard, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 73, will be honored by members of the Montgomery Bar Association at a fundraiser this Wednesday, August 11 from 5:30-7 PM.  The event will be held at the firm of Capell & Howard on 150 S. Perry Street in Montgomery. 

The fundraiser will be hosted by 48 attorneys who are partners in fourteen of Montgomery's prominent firms.  The host list covers a diverse spectrum of legal and political backgrounds, and includes James Anderson, Hon. Delores Boyd, Bill Coleman, Joe Epsy, Tommy Gallion, Lewis Gillis, Scott McArdle, Pam Slate, Bobby Segall, and Bob Thorington.

"I am honored to have the support of so many of my distinguished colleagues," Hubbard said. "I am encouraged that my vision for a better Montgomery has resonated with my peers as strongly as it has with the voters of my district."  Hubbard said the best way to bridge Montgomery's divides is through a bi-partisan effort and is committed working with members from every party to solve the challenges facing District 73.

Hubbard is the seventh generation of his family to call Montgomery home.  He practices law with the firm of Webb & Eley, and is an active member of the Montgomery Kiwanis Club.  Hubbard serves on the Vestry at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, where he, his wife Ashley, and son Hill, are members.  Hubbard has previously served as a legislative analyst in the Alabama House of Representatives.

For more information please visit www.hubbardforhouse.com.

Hubbardinvite 1.pdf

Candidate Meets with Non-Profit to Discuss Issues Facing Montgomery Seniors

MONTGOMERY -- Joe Hubbard, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 73, met with the Alabama Silver-Haired Legislature this past Wednesday to speak about the pressing issues facing the elderly community throughout Alabama.

The Alabama Silver-Haired Legislature (ASHL) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group of individuals over 60 that have been elected by their peers to represent the interests of older Alabamians.  The ASHL is a model of the State Legislature and draws members from each of the 105 state legislative districts.

Curt Jackson, the ASHL Representative from District 73, invited Hubbard to the Legislature's regional meeting to share the group's vision for the District.  "I am honored to have the opportunity to meet with such an esteemed group," Hubbard said, "and I look forward to working with the ASHL to pass needed legislation that will support and protect our elderly in this community if elected in November."

Hubbard is the seventh generation of his family to call Montgomery home.  He practices law with the firm of Webb & Eley, and is an active member of the Montgomery Kiwanis Club.  Hubbard serves on the Vestry at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, where he, his wife Ashley, and son Hill, are members.  Hubbard has previously served as a legislative analyst in the Alabama House of Representatives.

For more information please visit www.hubbardforhouse.com.

MONTGOMERY -- Joe Hubbard, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 73, spent the weekend knocking on doors in his district with a team of supporters and volunteers.  "The best way to connect with voters is to talk directly to them," Hubbard said.  "You can't speak for someone if you've never spoken to that person."

Hubbard and his team of volunteers canvassed the neighborhood south of McGehee Road between Fisk Road and Fieldcrest Drive.  Hubbard said that canvassing the district allows him to build the personal relationships that are central to being an effective legislator. 

On Saturday, Hubbard met an elderly woman who was concerned with her retirement fund, her daughter's job, and her grandchildren's education."  Hubbard said, "I am running to give folks like her a voice, and I promise that, if elected, I will be there for every vote that can improve the quality of life of the people in District 73."

Hubbard, a Montgomery native, is the seventh generation of his family to call Montgomery home.  He practices law with the firm of Webb & Eley, and is an active member of the Montgomery Kiwanis Club.  Hubbard serves on the Vestry at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, where he attends with his wife Ashley and his son Hill.  Hubbard has served as a legislative analyst in the Alabama House of Representatives, but this is his first run for public office.

For additional information please visit www.hubbardforhouse.com.

Democratic Candidate Works with Local Ministry and Food Bank to Feed over 1,500

MONTGOMERY -- Joe Hubbard, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 73, will be volunteering with the Food Assistance Program at Faith Crusades Ministries tomorrow, Friday, July 2^nd. 

Hubbard is co-sponsoring the event with the Montgomery Area Food Bank and is helping serve food to the numerous people from the community expected to attend.  "I can think of no better way to spend the holiday weekend," Hubbard said.  "As we celebrate our nation's independence, it is important to take the time to help our fellow neighbors.  Our strong sense of community is one of the things that make our nation so great, and I am proud to be a part of that this 4^th of July."

The Food Assistance Program is estimated to benefit over 1500 people in the community, many of whom are senior citizens.  "Most of the folks that will benefit from this program are senior citizens who often have to make the unfortunate choice to either buy food or pay for their medicine," said Hubbard. "I'm proud that our efforts, today, will help of our elderly avoid such a difficult and unnecessary decision."

The Food Assistance Program will be held at Faith Crusades Ministries located at 17 Mildred Street in Montgomery.  The program will begin at 10am and will continue until supplies are exhausted.  This event will receive live coverage from WASP, 95.7FM and 1250AM.  For additional information, please visit www.hubbardforhouse.com.

CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL

MONTGOMERY -- Joe Hubbard, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 73, received the endorsement of the River Region Central Labor Council.  The Council, which represents Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Clay, Coosa, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Russell, and Tallapoosa counties, screened candidates and endorsed Hubbard in late May of 2010.

The endorsement letter from President-elect J.D. Hornsby, President-elect of the River Region Central Labor Council reads in part, "Your record of support for the working people of Alabama is greatly appreciated."

The River Region Central Labor Council is one of nine Central Labor Councils (CLC) in Alabama. The Central Labor Council is affiliated with several local area unions and helps to carry out the programs of the AFL-CIO.  The Council does substantial community service with special attention to civil rights issues, voter registration and education.

"I'm honored to have an endorsement from such a respected organization, and I look forward to working with their members to create and maintain sustainable jobs for our region." Hubbard said.  "Our city's future depends on working today to build the jobs of tomorrow, especially in the growing industries of tourism, manufacturing, and healthcare.  I look forward to working with anyone or any group that will help us achieve that goal."

With our State and city facing the highest unemployment rates in recent memory, our leaders must unify the people they represent and restore trust and integrity to our public offices. We have seen how the divisive politics of personal attacks and petty accusations undermine confidence in our elected officials, as well as candidates for public office. That is why I pledge that, as a candidate for Alabama House District 73, I will:


ABIDE by the principles of my faith: to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind, and to love my neighbor as myself;

ABIDE by the requirements of the Alabama Fair Campaign Practices Act and all other campaign laws and procedures;

CONDUCT my campaign with honesty and integrity, and always be truthful about the positions I take and the statements I make;

CONDUCT myself in a way that promotes trust and accountability in our political process;

REFUSE TO defame the character of my opponent, his supporters, his political party affiliation, or to condone the actions of those who do;

REFUSE TO defame the character of our President, our Governor, or the members of our State Legislature;

CONDEMN the use of whisper and smear campaigns, libel and slander, or attacks on any member of my opponent's family;

CONDEMN the use of any campaign material that misrepresents, distorts, or otherwise falsifies facts regarding my opponent, his political party, or another elected official;

DISAVOW PUBLICLY any material or advertising that is not factually accurate;

MAKE EVERY EFFORT to prevent the use of such negative and hurtful campaign tactics, and, if I learn of such tactics, to bring them to a end;

WORK to build honest and meaningful consensus between myself and my opponent and between our respective political parties to address the challenges that face District 73 and the State; and,

HOLD ACCOUNTABLE to these commitments all members of my campaign staff, volunteers, and public supporters when acting on my behalf.


This the ______ day of June, 2010.



____________________________________
JOE HUBBARD


____________________________________
DAVID GRIMES