Alabama Politics This Week

Josh Moon and David Person break down the latest developments in the lawsuit challenging Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility to run for governor, including motions to dismiss and questions about who gets to enforce Alabama’s constitutional requirements. Montgomery Mayor Stephen Reed joins the show to discuss the Jackson Hospital crisis, the future of health care in central Alabama and the city’s broade...

Josh Moon and David Person break down the new legal challenge questioning Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility to run for governor and what it could mean politically. Doug Jones joins the show to talk about his campaign, voter enthusiasm, data centers and his plan for Alabama. Michaela DeRosier of the Southern Poverty Law Center discusses voting rights, voter turnout, disenfranchisement and the work nee...

Josh Moon and David Person break down a chaotic week in Alabama politics, from Tommy Tuberville’s tax return controversy to questions about his residency and campaign credibility. They also discuss Barry Moore’s threats against media outlets over reporting on his military service record. Later, AL.com columnist Kyle Whitmire joins the show to talk about campaign “lawfare,” the Alabama GOP hearing...

Josh Moon and David Person break down the Supreme Court’s decision allowing Alabama to use its contested congressional map and what it means for voters, election officials and voting rights. They also speak with Theresa Lau and Gina Azito Thompson of the Southern Poverty Law Center about rural hospitals, Medicaid cuts and the future of health care access in Alabama and across the Deep South. Later...

Josh Moon and David Person break down the latest court fight over Alabama’s congressional maps and what it could mean for voters, representation and the 2026 elections. Jerome Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center joins the show to explain what happened in court, why the judges appeared skeptical of the state’s arguments and what the Supreme Court could do next. Later, Democratic congressional c...

Josh Moon and David Person break down Alabama’s 2026 primary results, including Doug Jones’ decisive Democratic win, key Republican races and major local upsets across the state. They’re joined by Jerome Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center to discuss the “All Roads Lead to the South” voting rights rally in Montgomery, redistricting and the stakes for democracy. The episode closes with a distur...

Josh Moon and David Person break down the Supreme Court’s shadow docket action on Alabama’s congressional maps and what it could mean for Black voting power in the state. Congressman Shomari Figures joins the show to discuss the legal fight, voter turnout, and his work representing Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. The episode also covers the state GOP’s response, and Speaker Nathaniel Ledbett...

Josh Moon and David Person break down Alabama’s latest redistricting fight and the political push to weaken Black voting power. SPLC’s Makhayla DesRosiers and Arthur Ago explain what the Supreme Court’s Louisiana voting rights decision means for Alabama and future litigation. Later, author Mike Marshall discusses his book  No Place for Pilgrims  and the unsolved civil rights-era murder of activist...

Josh Moon and David Person react to a major Supreme Court decision that could weaken key protections in the Voting Rights Act and reshape representation in Alabama and across the South. They discuss the potential impact on Black voters, congressional districts, and the legacy of the Roberts Court. Former Alabama NAACP President Benard Simelton joins the show to explain what the ruling means and wh...

Josh Moon and David Person dive into Alabama’s culture of political groupthink and why it may be keeping the state at the bottom of nearly every meaningful ranking. They’re joined by Phillip Ensler to talk hospitals, public schools and public safety, plus guests from the Southern Poverty Law Center on the Emmett Till exhibit and Days of Democracy. The episode also features candidate Hanu Karlapale...

This week we break down the hypocrisy of coaches like Nick Saban who fought NIL deals while making millions off unpaid labor, interview Montgomery Mayor Stephen Reed about recent shootings and failed state gun legislation, and hear from Rep. Mary Moore on why the 2026 session accomplished nothing for working Alabamians. Plus: why Republicans' "let them play" crusade is really about d...

Josh Moon and David Person break down the Alabama attorney general race, including sharp criticism of Jay Mitchell’s campaign rhetoric and his defense of controversial police prosecutions. Later, Rep. Patrick Sellers joins the show to talk about the legislative session, education funding, healthcare, and what lawmakers got wrong. The episode also dives into Alabama’s new abstinence-focused sex ed...

Josh Moon and David Person dig into new polling that suggests Alabama Republicans may be losing their grip on voters who care more about affordability than culture-war politics. They talk with Representative Adline Clark about voting rights, early voting, and barriers that still make it harder for Alabamians to cast a ballot. Later, congressional candidate Shane Weaver joins the show for a spirite...

Josh Moon and David Person break down the first lawsuit challenging Tommy Tuberville’s residency and what it could mean for the governor’s race. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed joins the show to push back on misleading narratives about his city, talk public safety, and call out dangerous political rhetoric. Later, guests from the Southern Poverty Law Center discuss the SAVE Act’s threat to voting rig...

Josh and David react to The Alabama Solution documentary missing out on an Oscar, then dive into Attorney General Steve Marshall’s remarks attacking the film. They break down why violence, rape, and extortion inside Alabama prisons are still crimes, no matter who the victims are. The conversation turns to rehabilitation, parole, and why Alabama’s prison system keeps making a bad problem worse. The...

In this episode of Alabama Politics This Week, Josh Moon and David Person break down Gov. Kay Ivey’s decision to commute the death sentence of Charles Lee Burton and the furious response from Attorney General Steve Marshall, then dive into a major fight inside the Alabama Democratic Party over straight-ticket voting. They’re also joined by USA Today investigative reporter Gina Barton to discuss he...

Josh Moon and David Person break down Alabama’s school choice debate and the financial impact on public schools, plus the truth about gambling policy in the state. The episode also features interviews with state house candidates Austin Smith and Jesse Barcala, along with Rep. Thomas Jackson discussing efforts to support Alabama farmers. RESOURCES & SOCIALS 🔵 Bluesky: @alpoliticsthisweek.com...

This episode tackles the political fight over public safety in Montgomery, with Mayor Steven Reed pushing back on what he describes as performative fearmongering and a proposed state “takeover” of city policing. Reed argues the rhetoric doesn’t match the data, says Montgomery has already been collaborating with other agencies, and calls for practical support—funding, recruitment help, cameras, and...

Josh and David cover a wide-ranging week in Alabama politics—mourning Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy, blasting a “chemtrails” bill as unserious policymaking, and venting about environmental rollbacks they say trade Alabama’s waterways and wildlife for corporate profit. SPLC attorney Micah West joins to discuss Fayette’s practice of prosecuting (and sometimes jailing) people over unpaid garbage bills,...

This week on Alabama Politics This Week, we hit the culture-war noise and the power politics underneath it — from the right’s meltdown over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show to a fast-tracked Alabama bill that would change the Alabama Public Service Commission from elected to appointed, even as the PSC directly shapes what you pay in utilities. Then we’re joined by Tabitha Isner, Alabama Democr...

The episode centers on the residency firestorm around Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s run for governor, with Josh and David arguing that state tax returns and related records are the simplest way to prove (or disprove) Alabama residency — and warning that voting and tax questions could create serious legal exposure if the fight goes to court. Guest AshLeigh Dunham, a candidate for Alabama Supreme Court, s...

This episode opens with a discussion of alleged retaliation inside Alabama’s prison system, following reporter Beth Shelburne’s updates about key whistleblowers from The Alabama Solution documentary. The hosts debate the moral, practical, and financial failures of Alabama’s corrections approach, including solitary confinement concerns and broader prison “racket” incentives. Former Agriculture Comm...

Josh Moon and David Person dissect the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota, examining the dangerous expansion of federal law enforcement powers and constitutional violations. They're joined by Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, who shares health updates, reveals the surprisingly productive working relationship between Democratic leadership and Governor Kay Ivey, and outli...

Hosts Josh Moon and David Person examine the Trump administration's controversial military intervention in Venezuela, questioning the true motives behind the operation and drawing parallels to failed foreign policy decisions in Iraq and Afghanistan. They discuss the lack of congressional oversight, the timing relative to the unsealed Epstein files, and the hypocrisy of Republicans who oppose forei...

In this final episode of 2025, Josh and David sit down with former U.S. Senator Doug Jones to discuss his newly announced campaign for governor of Alabama. Jones opens up about the "electricity" of his campaign launch, his plans to break the supermajority in Montgomery, and why he believes Tommy Tuberville’s record as a "divider" makes him vulnerable in 2026. We also grill the candidate on the tou...