Today, we’re proud to introduce the fourth installment of the 2024 Power & Influence 50 – the twelfth annual tradition from Yellowhammer News.
As the dust settles from this year’s legislative session, our team has spent time talking with key leaders and operatives across state government to offer an inside look into the top individuals who are leveraging their power and influence for those they represent in the Yellowhammer State. The list factors recent policy and political developments and includes Alabama business leaders, lobbyists, consultants, and elected officials.
2024 Power & Influence numbers 30-21 can be found here, 40-31 can be found here, and 50-41 can be found here. Our 2024 ‘Who’s Next?’ list can be found here.
Tim Howe, Office of the Senate President Pro Tem
In his first legislative session as Chief of Staff to Senate Pro Tem Greg Reed, the higher chamber served up a conservative agenda and delivered on it immediately. Howe took on the role with greater wisdom of the true mechanics of the Alabama State House than virtually all its frequent customers. He leveraged that experience to benefit Reed, Senate Republicans, and ultimately, the people of Alabama. In terms of political cooking, Tim Howe is a Michelin-star chef. How many stars exactly? Depends on who you ask. What’s certain is that Howe is on top of his game like never before. In his first-ever installment to Power & Influence, he’s politely underrated.
Steve Windom, Windom, Galliher & Associates
Nothing happens in Alabama politics without Windom having a seat at the table. He’s served as a State Senator, the Lieutenant Governor, and yet he has more power and influence today than ever before. He founded one of the most successful lobbying practices in Alabama, and he might be one of the state’s best businessmen and entrepreneurs as well. He’s assembled one of the best benches of talent in Montgomery in his partners, associates and contacts. When the Legislature is in session, Windom has total coverage. Outside of session, whether he’s appreciating Lake Martin, classic cars, gardening or plotting his client’s next move, Windom is always up to something.
Twinkle Cavanaugh, Alabama Public Service Commission President
Twinkle Cavanaugh is on the Mount Rushmore of Alabama Republican politics. No Statewide official gets along better with local GOP groups than she does. She was the first female Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party and one of the original retail politicians. The left despises her, which is good in any primary fight. She still holds the record for earning the most votes for a non-presidential candidate in the history of Alabama. Twinkle Cavanaugh has solidified herself at the top of the potential candidates for Lieutenant Governor in 2026.
Arthur Orr, Alabama State Senate
When Arthur Orr finishes his current term, he’ll have been a member of the Alabama Senate for 20 years. He’s been in the minority, he’s been in the majority. He was the general fund budget chairman during a time of proration. Now, he’s the education budget chairman in a time of surplus. Years ago, he was the most powerful legislator north of Birmingham. Now, many of the most powerful legislators are north of Birmingham. At one time, Orr picked his battles wisely. He still picks them calmly and methodically but now wages them more often and effectively. Of course, it’s not the amount of time he’s spent in office that has placed him atop our list for the past 12 years. It’s the leverage he accrues year after year.
Houston Smith, Alabama Power Company
Years ago, we wrote that it was Houston Smith if there were ever a public servant in the private sector. He is consistently described as a visionary leader who cares more for others than he does himself – two distinct traits that rarely, if ever, go hand-in-hand with one another. His vision is to make Alabama as great as it can be. He leads the governmental affairs division of a company better equipped than any to advance that mission. His ability to activate others, lift them up, and find a win for them in the process is essential to the reputation he’s built. He gets to think big. But he closes the gap between ideas and action. We’re not sure Houston Smith has ever heard the word “no.” Some have said they’ve heard it said in his presence before. But it never really seems to land on him. For someone who has accomplished so much for economic development, infrastructure, innovation, and unlocking Alabama’s potential – we’re fortunate he’s persistent.
Jabo Waggoner, Alabama State Senate
Last year, we marked Jabo Waggoner’s 50 years of service to the state and people of Alabama in elected office. At fifty plus one – he’s still at the top of his game. Plenty of lawmakers say they have an open-door policy. But Waggoner is still one of the few to mean it truly. As Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, he’s still the agenda-setter. As the coolest state senator, he still exercises his power most effectively through friendship and conversation. Representing his conservative, business-focused district of Jefferson County, he is still highly responsive to his constituents, who are key players in Alabama’s economy. After all these years, Waggoner is still a master at work. Year after year, session after session, the mark he makes on his district and the entire state through his power and influence continues to be new.
Steve Raby, Direct Communications
Steve Raby is the ultimate political and governmental affairs consultant. His career dates back to being Chief of Staff for the powerful U.S. Senator Howell Heflin. Today, Steve runs the political orbit for Speaker Ledbetter. His continued vantage of the lower chamber keeps him on our list year after year. He’s got his eye on the map in 2026 and will be a powerful friend to House incumbents. Steve Raby is an elite operator, and an even better advisor and friend to many in the State House. This session, Raby was out in full force. Taking a wild-west approach to certain issues and topics, he came equipped for a full-blown gunfight. By all accounts, he’s reloading and will continue climbing this list.
Steve Marshall, Alabama Attorney General
The State of Alabama has one of the nation’s most powerful and influential state attorneys general. Marshall is trusted to routinely lead other senior-most conservative authorities in exacting a vision for the country through what he knows best: The law. He recently reflected that a good day in his book is one in which he can sue the Biden administration. We take him at his word. During his time as Chairman of the Republican Attorney Generals Association, Marshall not only multiplied his ability to take bad policies to court with authority – he also multiplied the leverage his office and the state as a whole are capable of speaking and acting with. This combination makes him a force to be reckoned with, whether as opposing counsel in court or an opposing candidate on an election ballot.
Liz Filmore, Office of the Governor of Alabama
Liz’s name has become synonymous with the governor’s office. When people in Montgomery talk about the governor and her office, they don’t do so without mentioning the simple name “Liz.” Liz Filmore leads a large staff and does so with ease. Many in the Governor’s staff admire her and genuinely enjoy her as a boss. Liz is punctual and is known for her reliability for someone as busy as the Governor’s Chief of Staff. When she says she’s going to do something — she does it. As a young person, serving as a Governor’s chief is a powerful and significant career launchpad. Her current role as chief has positioned her for continued advancement and success. Look to her to continue to rise on the list.
Ted Hosp, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Among the truest policy experts featured on our list year after year, Ted Hosp towers. His mastery of healthcare-related issues has positioned him as the go-to source for public policy guidance, not just internally to the state’s preeminent insurer, but for lawmakers and agency leads throughout the legislative and executive branches. There isn’t an issue too complicated for Hosp. An accomplished attorney by trade, his experience leading the Maynard governmental affairs shop in private practice works to benefit more than 3 million BCBS members. As healthcare policy becomes increasingly complex, Hosp delivers clarity. It’s what he’s known for.
