The race for governor of Alabama should be competitive, according to a new PPP survey (June 2-5, 667 RV, MoE +/- 3.8%). Bradley Byrne (R) holds a slim lead over Rep. Artur Davis (D), though Davis leads the other three Republicans tested.

Republicans: Byrne, two-year college system chancellor and former state senator; Tim James, businessman and son of former governor Fob James; Treasurer Kay Ivey; Roy Moore, former state Supreme Court chief justice and 2006 candidate.

Democrats: Rep. Artur Davis; Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks.

Davis 35 - Byrne 39 - Und 26
Davis 37 - James 35 - Und 28
Davis 39 - Ivey 31 - Und 31
Davis 41 - Moore 38 - Und 21

Sparks 27 - Byrne 41 - Und 33
Sparks 33 - Ivey 29 - Und 39
Sparks 32 - James 32 - Und 37
Sparks 36 - Moore 38 - Und 25

Posted by Kyle Trygstad at 03:00 PM | Email Author | Permalink

It's never too early to plan. Rep. Artur Davis, an Alabama Democrat widely seen as a rising star in Democratic politics, is beginning to consider a governor's race when Bob Riley is term-limited out in 2010, according to the Times Daily. "I'm taking a very hard look at governor in 2010," Davis said.

Davis, who is African American, would be the state's first non-white governor, and he would likely face an uphill race: In 2006, just two of seven statewide offices went to Democrats, when Lieutenant Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. and Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks won their races. Davis is one of two Democrats out of a seven-member House delegation. Alabama has one of the highest African American populations in the country, at about 26% of the state's population.

Davis also hinted he may consider a Senate race, as well, if Sen. Richard Shelby decides to step down. His $700,000 cash on hand number would immediately make him a top-tier Democratic candidate.

Posted by Reid Wilson at 10:05 AM | Email Author | Permalink