Alabama

Alabama Retail PAC announces 2026 endorsements up and down the ticket

Published

3 weeks ago

February 7, 2026

Alabama Retail PAC announces 2026 endorsements up and down the ticket

The Alabama Retail PAC, the political action committee affiliated with the Alabama Retail Association, has announced its endorsements for the 2026 election cycle, backing candidates for statewide, judicial, legislative, and constitutional offices across Alabama.

According to the organization, its endorsements focus on candidates it believes understand the role retail plays in Alabama’s economy and support a pro-business climate.

“Retail is the heartbeat of Alabama’s economy, employing hundreds of thousands of Alabamians and serving every community,” said Melissa Cross, chairman of the Alabama Retail Association. “We are proud to endorse candidates who recognize this vital contribution and will give retailers’ interests a fair hearing.”

Constitutional office endorsements include:

Tommy Tuberville — Governor (R-Auburn)
Wes Allen — Lt. Governor (R-Troy)
Caroleene Dobson — Secretary of State (R-Montgomery)
Young Boozer — State Treasurer (R-Montgomery)
Derek Chen — State Auditor (R-Montgomery)
Jack Williams — Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries (R-Wilmer)

Judicial endorsements include:

Justice Brad Mendheim — Alabama Supreme Court, Place 7 (R-Dothan)
Judge Greg Shaw — Alabama Supreme Court, Place 8 (R-Vestavia Hills)
Judge Ben Bowden — Court of Civil Appeals, Place 4 (R-Montgomery)
Judge Matt Fridy — Court of Civil Appeals, Place 5 (R-Montevallo)
Judge Mary Windom — Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4 (R-Mobile)
Judge Beth Kellum — Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5 (R-Dothan)

State Senate endorsements include:

Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman)
Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence)
Sen. John Roberts (R-Mountain Brook)
Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur)
Sen. Matt Woods (R-Jasper)
Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia)
Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville)
Sen. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro)
Sen. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab)
Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre)
Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City)
Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston)
Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika)
Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield)
Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook)
Sen. J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills)
Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville)
Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham)
Sen. Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham)
Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham)
Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa)
Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Range)
Sen. Robert Stewart (D-Selma)
Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro)
Sen. Kirk Hatcher (D-Montgomery)
Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road)
Sen. Jay Hovey (R-Auburn)
Sen. Billy Beasley (D-Clayton)
Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva)
Sen. Clyde Chambliss Jr. (R-Prattville)
Sen. Josh Carnley (R-Ino)
Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine)
Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile)
Sen. David Sessions (R-Grand Bay)

House endorsements include:

Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville)
Rep. Phillip Pettus (R-Killen)
Rep. Ben Harrison (R-Elkmont)
Rep. Kerry “Bubba” Underwood (R-Tuscumbia)
Rep. Parker Moore (R-Hartselle)
Rep. Danny Crawford (R-Athens)
Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest)
Rep. Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle)
Rep. Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville)
Rep. Heath Allbright (R-Huntsville)
Rep. Cindy Myrex (R-Cullman)
Rep. Greg Barnes (R-Rogersville)
Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley)
Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena)
Rep. Bryan Brinyark (R-Northport)
Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville)
Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville)
Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville)
Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville)
Rep. Ritchie Whorton (R-Owens Cross Roads)
Rep. Mike Kirkland (R-Scottsboro)
Rep. Phillip Rigsby (R-Huntsville)
Rep. Brock Colvin (R-Albertville)
Rep. Jeana Ross (R-Guntersville)
Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City)
Rep. Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff)
Rep. Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden)
Rep. Troy Stubbs (R-Wetumpka)
Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga)
Rep. David Standridge (R-Hayden)
Rep. Steve Hurst (R-Munford)
Rep. Randy Wood (R-Anniston)
Rep. Kristin Nelson (R-Dothan)
Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg)
Rep. Chad Robertson (R-Heflin)
Rep. Corley Ellis (R-Columbiana)
Rep. Van Smith (R-Clanton)
Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Birmingham)
Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville)
Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover)
Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook)
Rep. Mike Shaw (R-Hoover)
Rep. Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills)
Rep. Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster)
Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris)
Rep. Kelvin Datcher (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville)
Rep. Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Travis Hendrix (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Ontario Tillman (D-Bessemer)
Rep. Patrick Sellers (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Mary Moore (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham)
Rep. Ron Bolton (R-Northport)
Rep. Bill Lamb (R-Tuscaloosa)
Rep. Norman Crow (R-Montgomery)
Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley)
Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton)
Rep. Prince Chestnut (D-Selma)
Rep. Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville)
Rep. Kelvin Lawrence (D-Hayneville)
Rep. Christopher England (D-Tuscaloosa)
Rep. Artis “A.J.” McCampbell (D-Demopolis)
Rep. Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa)
Rep. Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham)
Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Mathews)
Rep. Patrice McClammy (D-Montgomery)
Rep. TaShina Morris (D-Montgomery)
Rep. Kenyatté Hassell (D-Montgomery)
Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn)
Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City)
Rep. Ed Oliver (D-Dadeville)
Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee)
Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika)
Rep. Berry Forte (D-Eufaula)
Rep. Rick Rehm (R-Dothan)
Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan)
Rep. Jeff Sorrells (R-Hartford)
Rep. Jerry Starnes (R-Prattville)
Rep. Marcus Paramore (R-Troy)
Rep. Chris Sells (R-Greenville)
Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Dothan)
Rep. Steve Clouse (R-Ozark)
Rep. Jennifer Fidler (R-Fairhope)
Rep. Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley)
Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne)
Rep. Adline Clarke (D-Mobile)
Rep. Napoleon Bracy Jr. (D-Mobile)
Rep. Sam Jones (D-Mobile)
Rep. Mark Shirey (R-Mobile)
Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile)
Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle)
Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile)
Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile)
Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollingers Island)

“These candidates are familiar with the challenges facing Alabama’s retail industry and the broader business community,” said Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association. “These candidates know that when retail succeeds, communities thrive.”

The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers statewide and advocates on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].

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Alabama

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey receives Boy Scouts’ Circle of Honor

Published

4 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey receives Boy Scouts’ Circle of Honor

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey was honored for her lifelong dedication to youth and community service during the 12th annual Black Warrior Council Boy Scouts of America Circle of Honor awards luncheon.

The ceremony, which was held Feb. 27 at the Embassy Suites hotel in downtown Tuscaloosa, serves as a fundraiser for the council’s scouting program.

The Circle of Honor award is presented to people in west central Alabama whose livelihood and actions reflect the same values of the Black Warrior Boy Scouts. Recipients have also shown advocacy for youth and leadership in the community.

Past recipients of the award include Terry Saban, Nick Saban, former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, scientist and philanthropist Thomas Joiner, pharmacist and retailer James I. Harrison Jr., civic leader Mary Ann Phelps and more.

Cathy Randall, a Tuscaloosa businesswoman, educator and philanthropist, presented Ivey with the award. Randall was inducted into the Circle of Honor in 2025 along with her late husband, Pettus.

Ivey said she was grateful to receive the honor by the Black Warrior Council and highlighted the importance of public service.

“I’m proud to have dedicated my life to public service, there’s no more noble calling than to uplift and empower lives,” said Ivey during the Feb. 27 ceremony.

Ivey thanked the scouting organizations, including the Black Warrior Council for its contributions to educational opportunities, economic development, and public safety.

“In particular, I’m proud of the work done by our Scouting organizations like the Black Warrior Council, who lay a foundation for successful future in both our young people and our state, thank you for all you do to build a stronger Alabama by changing lives and preparing our future leaders,” said Ivey, a native of Camden in Wilcox County.

Ivey is wrapping up her second term as governor after a long career spent primarily in government.

After graduating from Auburn University in 1967, Ivey worked as a high school teacher and a bank officer. She served as reading clerk for the Alabama House of Representatives under then-Speaker Joseph C. McCorquodale and she served as assistant director at the Alabama Development Office.

In 2002, Ivey was elected to the first of two terms as Alabama’s treasurer and in 2010, she was elected to the first of two terms as lieutenant governor. On April 10, 2017, Ivey was sworn in as Alabama’s 54th governor after the resignation of Robert Bentley. She filled out the rest of Bentley’s term before winning the gubernatorial election in 2018 and she was re-elected in 2022.

She will leave office at the end of this year.

She is the first Republican woman to serve as Alabama’s governor but she’s the second woman to hold the state’s top executive office. Tuscaloosa County native Lurleen B. Wallace, a Democrat, became Alabama’s first female governor in 1966.

Circle of Honor luncheon raises nearly $200,000

Also during the ceremony, retired DCH Health System administrator Sammy Watson, who served as the event’s emcee, announced that the council had raised $197,000 through the luncheon that day.

Proceeds from the lunch will be used to expand Boy Scouts programs, making them available to over 3,000 young people in west central Alabama.

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s leading outdoor education and character development program. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@usatodayco.com. To support her work, please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News.

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Alabama

Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. steps down after 13 years on the bench

Published

16 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. steps down after 13 years on the bench

SELMA, Ala. (WSFA) – After more than a decade serving Alabama’s fourth judicial circuit, Judge Collins Pettaway, Jr. is stepping away from full-time service, closing a chapter that spans nearly four decades in the legal profession.

Pettaway was elected to the bench in 2012 and served in several counties including Dallas, Wilcox, Perry, Hale and Bibb counties, the largest geographical circuit in the state.

Now, he says, it was simply time.

“I never wanted to serve in that capacity forever,” Pettaway said “And plus, I wanted to also make room for some younger, brighter minds to come forward.”

Before becoming a judge, Pettaway practiced law in Selma for nearly 30 years after being licensed in 1985. During that time, he handled cases that helped shape Alabama law; something he says he didn’t fully appreciate until colleagues reflected on his impact.

“I handled several cases which actually affected and changed the direction of the state of the law in our state,” he added. “And I didn’t realize I did all that.”

Friends and fellow legal professionals once presented him with research showing his involvement in Alabama Supreme Court cases that made significant changes in state law; a moment he describes as both surprising and humbling.

During his time on the bench, Pettaway says one of his priorities was maintaining professionalism and respect within the legal system.

He often referenced the Alabama State Bar’s Lawyer’s Creed — a pledge attorneys take promising to treat even their opponents with civility and understanding.

“In that creed, you are promising that you’re gonna treat even your opponents with civility and with kindness and understanding.”

Pettaway says he believes the legal profession — and society at large — must continue working toward a culture rooted in respect and service.

Although stepping away from full-time duties, Pettaway says he is not completely leaving the legal field. He has transitioned to retired active status and plans to assist with cases when needed, while also returning to private practice.

He says this new chapter is about balance.

After decades shaping courtrooms across five counties, Pettaway says he is focused on health, perspective and trusting the next generation to carry the bench forward.

Governor Kay Ivey has appointed former Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones to serve the remainder of Pettaway’s six-year term.

Jones previously served as senior chief trial attorney under District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. and has also led the Fourth Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.

The transition marks a new era for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, while closing a significant chapter in its recent history.

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Alabama

Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Detroit Lions meet with Alabama star OL at NFL combine

As the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine nears its conclusion, the Detroit Lions continue to work to identify potential fits for the franchise.

The Lions own pick No. 17 in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Though Taylor Decker recently announced his return for the 2026 season, Detroit could still be thinking offensive line in the draft’s opening round.

If the Lions opt to fortify their offensive line, one name to watch for Detroit is Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. A Lions scout pulled Proctor aside to talk at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January.

Now, Proctor confirmed to Crunch Time Sports that he met with the Lions at the NFL combine.

Proctor started 40 games across his Crimson Tide career, missing just the first two games of the 2024 season with injury.

The 6-foot-7, 366-pound lineman was Alabama’s highest-graded player last season with an overall offensive grade of 85.9, per Pro Football Focus. Proctor had a pass-blocking grade of 84.2, a run blocking grade of 81.1 and allowed just two sacks during the 2025 college football season.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions

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