Commitment 2022: Doug Smith running for governor of Alabama
>> IT GREW AND GREW. >> THESE POSTER BOARDS SHOWING THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING ALABAMA RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER A COURSE OF THERE DECADES ARE A KEY TALKING POINT FOR DOUG “NEW BLUE” SMITH. >> I DON’T NEED POWER. I DON’T NEED MONEY. CAARL: WHILE WORKING WITH PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS STARTING IN THE MID 1960’S, SMITH HELPED CREATE SEVELRA STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES. >> BUT THE WORK THAT I DID, IN CREATING SEVEN ECONOMIC ENGISNE TO IMPROVE THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS BEEN TAKEN APART. CAA:RL HE FIRST RAN FOR GOVERNOR AT THE AGE OF 78 IN 2018. HE SPEAKS WITH A SHAKY VOICES A A RESULT OF A BAD REACTION TO MEDICATION HE WAS GIVEN A SLEEP STUDY YEARS AGO. BECAUSE OF THIS AILMENT, SMITH IS IN FAVOR OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA. EVEN IN STATES WHERE IT’S LEGAL, MARIJUANA WITHOUTHC CLEARS UP MY VOICE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. SO I WOULD CERTAINLY BE IN FORAV OF EXPANNGDI IT FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES. CARLA: WHEN IT COMES TO DECRIMALIZINING MARIJUANA, SMITH SAYS IT IS TIME TO AT LEAST STUDY WHETHER IT WOULD EASE THE BURDENS ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. HE HAS SHARP CRITICISM FOR THE BILLION TO BUILD NEW PRISONS. >> I THINK TH’T’S PUTTING A BAND-AID ON A FESTERING IL.BO CARLA: HE PROPOSES A BETTER SCREENING AND SENTENCING METHOD, SEPATIRANG PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES D ANDRUG ADDICONTI FROM INMATES HE DESCRIBES AS HARDENED CRIMINA.LS HE SAYS THE EXPANSION OF GAMBLING OR A LOTTERY SHOULD B LEFT UP TO THE VOTERS IF LAWMAKERS EVER APPROVE NEW LEGISLATN.IO INSTEAD OF LOOKING TO THE LOTTERY TO PAY FOR EDUCATION, HE SAYS THE STATE NEEDS TO GET BACK FEDERAL FUNDING THAT’S BEEN LOST OVER DAD.EC >> WE NEED TO GET OUR FAIR SHARE BACK. ANWED NEED TO GET IN MO BCKRE GRANTS THAT ARE UNENCUMBERED, SO THAT WE CAN SPEND ON ITEMS LIKE HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION. CARLA: HIS PLAN TO IMPROVE RURAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS INCLUDES INCREASED TELEMEDICI, GHNE SPEED HELICOPTER AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND EXPANDED MEDICAID. >> BUT THE PLACE THAT YOU STTAR IS WITH YOUR IMPROVED ECONOMY. YOU CAN’T JUST PULL DOLLARS OUT OF THIN R.AI CARLA: THE ECONOMY IS WHERE HE SAYS GOVERNOR IVEY HAS FAILED AND PAUSING THE GAS TAX WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TO HELP WITH RISING INFLATION. >> PLUS, SHE’S’TAKING STIMULUS MONEY AND SPENDING IT ON HIGHWAYS AT THE WRONG TIME FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. THAT’S COMPETING WITHOME H CONSTRUCTION. CARLA: THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY IS MAY 24. CARLA WA, DEWVTM
Commitment 2022: Doug Smith running for governor of Alabama
Updated: 10:00 PM CDT May 5, 2022
As part of our Commitment 2022 coverage, WVTM 13 is talking with the Republican and Democratic candidates on the ballot in Alabama’s gubernatorial race.In the video above, anchor Carla Wade met with Doug Smith, one of the Democratic candidates, to discuss why he wants to be governor of Alabama. Grab the WVTM 13 app for the latest updates on this year’s general election.Candidates for GovernorRepublicanKay Ivey (I)Lindy BlanchardLew BurdetteStacy GeorgeTim JamesDonald JonesDean OdleDave ThomasDean YoungDemocratYolanda FlowersPatricia JamiesonArthur KennedyChad “Chig” MartinMalika Sanders-FortierDoug SmithIMPORTANT DATESMay 9: Voter registration deadlineMay 17: Last day to apply by mail for an absentee ballotMay 19: Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballotMay 24: Primary election
As part of our Commitment 2022 coverage, WVTM 13 is talking with the Republican and Democratic candidates on the ballot in Alabama’s gubernatorial race.
In the video above, anchor Carla Wade met with Doug Smith, one of the Democratic candidates, to discuss why he wants to be governor of Alabama.
Grab the WVTM 13 app for the latest updates on this year’s general election.
Candidates for Governor
Republican
- Kay Ivey (I)
- Lindy Blanchard
- Lew Burdette
- Stacy George
- Tim James
- Donald Jones
- Dean Odle
- Dave Thomas
- Dean Young
Democrat
- Yolanda Flowers
- Patricia Jamieson
- Arthur Kennedy
- Chad “Chig” Martin
- Malika Sanders-Fortier
- Doug Smith
IMPORTANT DATES
May 9: Voter registration deadline
May 17: Last day to apply by mail for an absentee ballot
May 19: Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot
May 24: Primary election
