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"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.

District 73 candidate upset  over questions in GOP poll
 
By Sebastian Kitchen, August 22, 2010 
 
A contender for a local seat in the Alabama House of  Representatives is up in arms about a poll run by Republicans in his district that he said inaccurately tells people he defended corrupt politicians and sued local businesses as an attorney.
 
Democrat Joe Hubbard is challenging Republican state Rep. David Grimes for the District 73 seat.
 
Hubbard has voiced his concerns that the question asking if people would be more or less likely to support him if they knew "Joe Hubbard is a lawyer who has sued local businesses and has defended many corrupt Montgomery politicians."
 
Hubbard said he has never represented Montgomery public officials or sued local businesses. He considers it a push poll -- a type of poll that, instead of being done to obtain opinions, asks  loaded and unfounded questions that contain negative information about a candidate in an attempt to influence voters.
 
"The polls we run are truthful and accurate. They are not push polls and we stand behind the truthfulness of the polls," said Philip Bryan, communications director for the Alabama Republican Party.
 
If the Republican Party has evidence, Hubbard said  "I don't know what it is."
 
"I have never represented any official in Montgomery County and I have never sued a local business in  Montgomery County," he said. "That is something you can go in the court system and verify."
 
Hubbard said his firm, Webb & Eley, works for the Association of County Commissions of Alabama and counties in the association that participate in a liability fund, and Montgomery is not one of those.
 
Bryan said Hubbard has defended people he does not want to talk about, but Bryan would not expand on which businesses Hubbard had sued and which politicians he defended.
 
"I'm sure all Democrats that we are running against would love nothing more than for us to provide the  details on how we will conduct our campaigns, in formation that we've received or data that's been  collected -- but that wouldn't necessarily be in the  best interest of electing a Republican majority for the first time in 136 years," Bryan said. 
 
Hubbard called the Montgomery Advertiser at least seven times to say that he was troubled by the poll.  He said he heard from several people in the district who received the call and were concerned about the  poll.
 
Grimes, who is running for a third term in the  House, said he knew a poll was being conducted by the party and he did authorize the questions, but did not originally know when the poll was being conducted.
 
Grimes, who is in the life insurance business, said  the word "corrupt" was not in the last version of the  questions he authorized.
 
"I didn't see or realize the word 'corrupt' was in  there -- not in my copy," he said. "This was a  mistake. ... I am regretful that that question was even  in there. That was naivete on my part. It is too late.  You can't un- ring the bell."
 
Bryan said the party approves the questions used by its pollster, McLaughlin & Associates. 

"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. 

Source: Montgomery Advertiser, June 11, 2010

 

 

Joe Hubbard and state Rep. David Grimes, R-Montgomery, do not agree on much political­ly, but they do agree that the Re­publican primary race for the District 73 House seat was too negative.

 

Hubbard, who was unop­posed in the June 1 Democratic primary, will face Grimes, the incumbent, in the November general election. The two signed a pledge Thursday at the State House that their campaigns will not take the same kind of nega­tive turn.

 

Grimes narrowly defeated political newcomer Jeremy Walker, who ran a vigorous campaign to unseat him.  Grimes and Walker made amends after the primary, and Walker has said he would sup­port Grimes' campaign.

 

Hubbard said he observed the tone that the primary race took and wanted to avoid having that happen again.  "The people of this communi­ty deserve better," he said.

 

Hubbard said he called Grimes earlier this week to talk about it and later visited Grimes at his house.  Both candidates contributed to the contents of the pledge, which lists actions that each candidate vows either to engage in or to avoid. 

 

It includes a vow 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."

Much of the pledge focuses on attacks that include inaccur­ate information or "libel and slander" of one's opponent.

 

Hubbard said the signing of the pledge marked "an impor­tant day in the campaign" and that both campaigns should be able to present their plans for the district and stay away from personal attacks.  "That is our responsibility -- to give people a real choice," Hubbard said.

 

Grimes said he was on board with the pledge from the begin­ning and that what transpired during the primary was "horri­ble."  "We have got to get away from ruthlessness in politics," he said.

He added that not everything would be off-limits in the gener­al election, however.

"I'll point out that he's a Democrat -- which he's proud of -- and I hope he points out that I'm a Republican," Grimes said.

 

--Scott Johnson

 

Source: CBS 8 News, June 11, 2010

 

The two candidates in the Alabama House District 73 race have pledged to run a clean campaign.

Democrat Joe Hubbard and Republican David Grimes will face each other in November. They both signed a pledge today not to make personal attacks against each other.

Hubbard says, "As I saw these negative fliers go out in the Republican primary, personal attacks, accusations on the radio by two guys I respect, and I regret the negative tone these campaigns can take and I decided to make sure the general election didn't take that same path."

Grimes says, "It bothers me that third parties such as talk radio put an unfair slant on untrue things and becomes fact because nobody can contest it."

Hubbard and Grimes both say they both want to be held accountable by voters to this pledge.

 

Click here to read straight from the CBS website.

 

 

 

Source: Montgomery Advertiser, June 10, 2010

 

Source: WSFA, January 22, 2010

 

MONTGOMERY, AL - Joe Hubbard, a life-long native of Montgomery and local attorney, has announced his bid for the Alabama State Legislature, District 73.

"I am running for the Statehouse because I believe that, by focusing on jobs and education, we can build a Montgomery that our children can come home to," Hubbard says.

With his announcement, Hubbard follows in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, Lister Hill, a longtime Alabama Congressman and Senator. "Public service is not about politics," says Hubbard. "It's about people, and the time has come to give the people of Montgomery a voice on the issues that matter to them."

On January 16, 2010, Hubbard filed his qualification paperwork with the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee. On January 21, he filed his financial report with the Secretary of State's Office. In his disclosures, he reported raising over $50,000 in contributions from individuals, groups, and associations. Hubbard received more in contributions from 141 individual donors, many of whom live in the District, than from any political group, a rare statistic in most legislative races.

"The support we've received in this community, from local folks that have known me all my life, shows that we are not running the typical campaign," says Hubbard. "The people in this District want to change the status quo in our Statehouse, and they know the only way to do that is to send one of their own."

 

--Mario Hendricks

Click here to read straight from WSFA website.

Letter to the Editor
Source: Montgomery Advertiser

"Welcome to politics, boy."

These words echoed through my head as I read Sebastian Kitchen's August article about the "DemExpo."

Mr. Kitchen described me as a political "newcomer" and rightly noted that my campaign for House District 73 is my "first run for office." Even so, the quotation "I have no experience to speak of," while technically accurate, clearly lacked context.

Yes, I lack any true political experience. I have no experience in the backrooms where the political deals are cut. I have no experience selling out the values of my constituents for the support of lobbyists and special interests. I have no experience with politics as usual. But politics as usual has gotten us no closer to solutions on important issues like education, ethics reform and economic development.

We elect our public officials to represent people, not political parties. While I have no experience as a political insider, I have experience working with, and for, people; as a father and a husband working to support and raise my family; as an attorney; as a leader in my church; as a member of the Kiwanis Club, and so forth.

The status quo in state government will not change with "political experience." It will change with citizen-lawmakers who will put government back to work for the people. I may be new to the business of politics, but I am not new to the business of people. And that's a business we should see more of in our State House.

- Joe Hubbard, Montgomery

Source: Montgomery Advertiser, November 9, 2009

Two political newcomers are taking on incumbent state legislators for a chance to represent
parts of Montgomery County in the State House.

Maurice Rollins, 39, will take on four-term state Rep. Thad McClammy in the Democratic
primary in 2010 and Democrat Joe Hubbard, 28, will face two-term state Rep. David Grimes,
R-Montgomery, in the general election.

Although Rollins and Hubbard are seeking office for the first time, each man said he's drawn
by similar desires to serve the community. The men they want to unseat said they are driven
by the same passion and they want to return to the state Legislature to build on what they've
done.


District 73
Hubbard, a local attorney, has political history coursing through his veins. His great-grandfather was U.S. Sen. Lister Hill, and he said that like his well-known ancestor
he sees public service as a calling.

"I grew up with that legacy and tradition," he said. "Obviously those are big shoes to fill, but
I'm ready to step up and put my shoulder to the wheel."

Hubbard said he believes that it is critical that elected officials, regardless of party affiliation,
work to restore trust in government so that they will have the credibility to make tough
decisions that can move the state in the right direction.

"I'm raising the seventh generation of my family in this city and I want Montgomery to be a
place that he (my son) can come home to raise his family -- that's important to me," he said.

"We have to start doing a better job of talking about jobs and education, particularly
education. I just know that we can do better on issues like education and economic development in this district with leadership."

If Hubbard and Grimes are both successful in their primaries, they'll face off in the general
election, and Grimes said he's ready to go back to the House for another four years to work
for the people of District 73 and the state.

Grimes has faced opposition each time he's run, so he's not surprised that someone is once
again champing at the bit to replace him.

He said his goal always has been to represent all of District 73, which stretches from
Cloverdale to Sturbridge.

He said he wants to work toward cleaning up the empty storefronts that have become
eyesores in parts of the district, particularly the South Boulevard area.

At the state level, he said he wants to continue to fight the state's powerful education lobby
and its influence, along with curbing the number of contract workers who, he believes,
displace state employees and cost more money.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed representing this district," he said.


District 76
Rollins, a quality program manager and consultant for the Alabama Primary Health Care
Association, said boosting education and economic development also are key for District 76,
along with addressing public safety issues.

"I think that government is an entity that can make an impact on economic development and
education," he said. "I'm interested in serving the people of District 76 and the people of the
state of Alabama. I strongly believe that public education is essential for developing our
leaders for tomorrow."

Rollins said, if elected, he would work for sustainable and equitable development that
benefits the entire community.

"This race is not about Maurice Rollins or Thad McClammy," he said. "It's about focusing on
the issues and the issues are economic development, education and developing our youth."
McClammy said education, economic development and public safety have been his focus
during his tenure in the House, and the district and the state are beginning to see the fruits of
his labor.

He points to the successful attraction of Hyundai to the area, the continued development of
Old Federal Road and the passage of a bill raising the minimum dropout age as signs that
what he's doing is working.

"I believe that the ability to serve for so long should be based on productivity," he said. "I
welcome citizens to review my record of service. I believe they will see that I have been
productive, but the game isn't over yet."

McClammy said he wants to go back to the state Legislature to further raise the minimum
dropout age, finish out the Interstate 85 extension/Outer Loop project and help Montgomery
County find a way to keep the rural schools in District 76 open.


Author: Markeshia Ricks

Source: Montgomery Advertiser, August 22, 2009

Democratic candidates, activists and campaign staff are in Montgomery this weekend for an expo intended to arm them with the necessary tools and information for the 2010 campaign.

The Alabama Democratic Party organized "DemExpo," which started Friday and continues today at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center.

The expo includes workshops on using new technology and other methods of communication, polling, getting a message out to voters, budgeting and fundraising for a campaign, seeking out endorsements and getting voters to the polls.

Joe Turnham, chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, said roughly 150 people from about 52 different counties are participating in the event, including people running for positions from local school boards to U.S. Congress.

"There are a ton of first-time participants," he said.

Dozens of candidates are participating, Turnham said.

While there were some mainstays in the Democratic Party at the event including Turnham, vice chairmen Joe Reed and Nancy Worley and others, there were also some new faces.

One newcomer is Joe Hubbard, a lifelong Montgomery resident who is running for the District 73 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives, which is currently represented by Republican David Grimes.

He said he has been politically involved, working on campaigns for U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright and Mayor Todd Strange, but this is his first run for office.

Hubbard attended a similar event in Birmingham and said he is attending them because he is new to politics. He hopes the expos will equip him for his campaign.

"I have no experience to speak of," Hubbard said. " ... It has been eye-opening to be honest. Politics is not for the faint of heart."

Martha Bozeman, a Birmingham attorney and consultant, worked on campaigns for U.S. Rep. Artur Davis and former Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid. Now she is running for Davis' congressional seat as he seeks the governor's office. In her first run for public office, Bozeman said she appreciated the state party trying to keep candidates and their staff abreast of the latest techniques to reach voters and share their message.

"Campaigns are constantly changing," she said.

Along with reinforcing information she already knew, Bozeman said she also learned about some different tools and resources. Turnham said the party has not had a similar event in several years.

He said the event is helpful for a variety of reasons, including continuing changes in technology.

Candidates learned how to use the new technology, how to produce their own videos for the Web and how to reach voters on a limited budget. Prior to that session, Jim Sumner, director of the Alabama Ethics Commission, talked to a meeting of county chairmen and to those attending the expo about ethics.

Another presenter was Phil Noble Jr., who recently received the award for International Political Consultant of the Year by his peers at the American Association of Political Consultants.

Also among the speakers was Jennie Blackton, a former writer for television series including
"Roseanne" and "One Day at a Time." She talked to participants about creatively  communicating their message.

The event included vendors for campaign signs, consultants, books and other related items.

County chairmen from throughout the state met Friday morning and many stayed for the expo,
Turnham said. He said Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. hosted them for a luncheon.

Davis, D-Birmingham, hosted a reception Friday night and Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, who is running for governor, is expected to host a coffee with participants today.

article by Sebastian Kitchen

Source: Montgomery Advertiser, April 28, 2009

The No. 1 thing driving young people away from Montgomery isn't anything you will actually find in the city, the mayor said to a group of young leaders Monday night -- it's about perception. Keeping them here requires that perception to change, but it also requires having jobs for young people, Mayor Todd Strange said.

"We'll get our fair share of shots. Our economy is better than the average bear," Strange said.

Strange told the 20- and 30-somethings that he would work on creating the jobs if they would just spread the word about the positive things going on in Montgomery.

"Don't bad mouth us. Sometimes we're our own worst enemy," Strange told the group of about 50. "We've got good things happening here. We need to celebrate the positive things."

Strange rattled off numerous examples, from catching a baseball game at the Biscuits stadium to watching a play at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival to sitting on the porch at the Exchange.

Strange was speaking Monday night to members of both the River Region Democrats and the Capital City Young Republicans. The two groups met in the spirit of bipartisanship, which is an attitude Strange championed during his campaign and one he has brought with him to the mayor's office.

Joe Hubbard, a 27-year-old attorney who lives in Cloverdale-Idlewild, estimated that about 80 percent of his high school graduation class skipped town after earning a diploma. Hubbard, who has strong family ties here, went away for college and came back home to start a family.

Like Strange, Hubbard believes Montgomery's perception is the single biggest thing that drives young professionals away and keeps them at a distance. Those are the same people who don't realize what Montgomery has to offer, he said.

"Montgomery is a city steeped in history. It's a history that many young people don't know," said Hubbard, who is the vice president of the River Region Democrats.

Hubbard also bragged on the city's growing palette of venues, which most recently added the Alleyway Entertainment District in downtown to its lineup. Monday night's meeting was held at 129 Coosa Street in the Alleyway block.

Hubbard's counterpart for the evening, Jeremy Walker, who is the chairman of the Capital City Young Republicans, said he admired Strange's leadership style. He added that his open-minded, collaborative attitude is one that the younger generation appreciates.

"I think many of the elected officials throughout the state could take a page out of Mayor Strange's play book," said Walker, who is a 28-year-old attorney living in Old Cloverdale.

Strange talked to the group about what some of the issues his office has dealt with in his first month as mayor. That ranged from the controversial police checkpoints to his effort to restructure his office.

Strange urged members of the crowd to call him if they are aware of something Montgomery is lacking or if they know of something that needs to be improved. The mayor can be reached at 241-2004.

article by Jill Nolan