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 Supreme Court elections, and its judicial races 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 saw more spending ($21.3 million) on TV ads between 2000 and 2009.
In 2012, the race for chief justice was the most hotly contested. In the Republican primary, incumbent Charles Malone faced former Attorney General Charles Graddick and former Chief Justice Roy Moore. Moore won the primary with just over 50 percent of the vote and went on to beat Circuit Judge Robert Vance, the Democratic nominee, in the November general election.
Justices Lyn Stuart, Glenn Murdock, and Jim Main were also seeking re-election, but ran 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 ran unopposed in the general election.
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November 1, 2012 – Moore Removed
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An ad by Bob Vance saying, “Roy Moore was removed from office because he refused to follow the law.”
October 26, 2012 – Your Chief Justice
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An ad by Bob Vance saying the chief justice should bring respect to the state of Alabama.
October 19, 2012 – Do Your Homework
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An ad by Bob Vance asking voters to do their homework before the election.
October 19, 2012 – Veteran
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Judge Roy Moore says he will “defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Alabama.”
October 13, 2012 – Common Ground
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An ad featuring Judge Bob Vance and his children.
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 5, 2012 – Worst Thing
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Charlie Graddick say he will serve only one term, giving him a “freer hand to reform the court system without any influence from the powerful interests.”
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.