Editorials

However, the farther down the political pecking order one goes, the less party means. More Alabamians may claim to be Republicans than claim to be Democrats or independents, but in a general election party loyalty often goes out the window. The same poll that revealed Republican gains also reported that fully 60 percent of those polled said they at least occasionally split their tickets — especially in local races.

And the local races that mean the most are the contests for seats in the Alabama House and Alabama Senate.

So while you are putting together a scorecard for the general election, here are a few races you might want to watch:

n House leaders in the line of fire. House Speaker Seth Hammett, D-Andalusia, and House Minority Leader Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, are both under attack — Hammett for what Republicans describe as cozying up to “liberal special interests” (code for the Alabama Education Association) and Hubbard for business connections to Auburn University. A stumble on either side will have wider repercussions.

n What will the Christian Coalition do? Two seats are of special interest to the nonpartisan issue advocate for the religious right. Randy Hinshaw, D-Meridianville, has kept the coalition’s feet to the fire, and nothing would make Christian conservatives happier than to see him go. Meanwhile, down in southwest Alabama, Rep. Nick Williams, R-Sims Chapel, who ran the mud-slinging “Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve” campaign, is being challenged by a well-respected, well-financed newcomer. A loss here would be a setback for the evangelical wing of the GOP.

n Important Senate match-ups. The Senate has a number of key contests, but the most interesting ones are those that pit ALFA and the Business Council against AEA in head-to-head struggles. Up north of us, Republican Attorney Arthur Orr has squared off against Morgan County probate judge Bobby Day in a contest that is over more than a Senate seat.

Down at the other end of the state, veteran Sen. Pat Lindsey, D-Butler, has been challenged by former Forestry Association executive John McMillan, R-Stockton. Lindsey is a politician of the old school, and local debts to him are many. McMillan is favored by timber interests in a part of the state where that counts for a lot. This could be the most costly race in a year of big spending, and in its outcome, the most revealing.

And who will fill the vacuum? In nearby District 13, perennial power Gerald Dial is out, defeated in the primary by Kim Benefield, who now faces Republican Jim Ingram. Both parties want this seat. Only one can have it.

So settle back, political junkies. The fun is just beginning.