Sources close to Rev. James C. Fields, Jr. told Yellowhammer Wednesday that the former Democrat state representative is preparing to announce that he will be running for lt. governor in 2014.
Fields is a Methodist minister and a long-time supervisor for the Alabama Department of Industrial relations. He was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in a special election in 2008 at the height of Obama-mania. He was then defeated in the Republican wave of 2010 by current state rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman.
Calling any Democrat running for statewide office in Alabama a “long shot” would be an understatement. But the prospect of electing the state’s first black lt. governor could drive up Democratic turnout in 2014. That could become a factor in legislative races where an Independent and Republican are running against each other with no Democrat in the race (e.g. Senate District 29), as well as in races where a Republican is challenging a sitting Democrat (e.g. Senate District 1).
Speaking to the Madison County Democratic Women’s scholarship dinner in Huntsville in May of last year, Fields expressed frustration with the new Republican majority in Montgomery.
“I can’t bear the thought of what’s happening in Montgomery right now,” Fields said. “We fought too hard for progress in the state to throw it out. All I have — my chance at education, success in life — is because of my faith and the opportunities provided by Democrats.”
Although Fields did not immediately respond to a request for comment, a quick visit to FieldsForLtGov.com reveals a website that is hosted by a local Birmingham business, but is not yet live. His official announcement is expected to take place on Friday at the Harbert Center in Birmingham.
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