BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Bill Armistead, Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, released the following statement in response to the Alabama Democratic Party’s announcement that Judge Robert Vance would replace Harry Lyon on the ballot as their candidate for Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice:
“I won’t pretend to be surprised by this announcement. If Alabama Democrats are known for anything, it’s making desperate, backroom deals to get their candidate of choice on the ballot. This backfired on them in 1986 when they replaced Charlie Graddick with Bill Baxley as their gubernatorial candidate, helping to elect the first Republican Governor, Guy Hunt, since Reconstruction. It will backfire again.
“Mark Kennedy has also shown, once again, his affinity for Obama and insistence that all Alabama Democrats embrace and support the most liberal President this country has ever seen. Judge Vance’s wife, Joyce Vance, is an Obama appointed U.S. Attorney in north Alabama, so there is no question this is an ‘Obama approved’ decision. I have to wonder what kinds of promises have been made to Kennedy by the White House in return for putting the Obama administration’s choice on the ballot.
“Alabama voters are smarter than this, Chairman Kennedy. They will not be force-fed another liberal judge, especially when a consistent conservative such as Judge Roy Moore is on the ballot.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Contact: Shana Kluck