Rumors & Rumblings

“Rumors and Rumblings” is a weekly feature that runs each Wednesday. It includes short nuggets of information that we glean from conversations throughout the week. Have a tip? Send it here. All sources remain confidential.

1. Movement on Common Core

When the Speaker’s Commission on Alabama Values and States Rights traveled around the state late last year, the number one issue grassroots conservatives were concerned about was the repeal of Common Core Standards. There’s a joint public hearing today at 3 p.m. in the Star Wars room of the State House during which legislative leaders are expected to announce their intentions.

Momentum on this issue really started in the grassroots. Legislators told Yellowhammer Tuesday night that they’ve been receiving phone calls and emails from activists and education interests on both sides of the issue. It’s going to be interesting to see how this one plays out.

2. House District 44 Race

Representative Arthur Payne, who was first elected to the House in 1978, is expected to not run for re-election in 2014. His Jefferson County seat has become the topic of much discussion in political circles the last few months, and a potential field of Republicans is starting to emerge.

1. Michael Ciamarra: the current adviser to Senate Majority Leader Jabo Waggoner has been a staple in Alabama politics for years. He’s had stints in the Governor’s office, at the Alabama Policy Institute, and on the Newt Gingrich Presidential campaign, and is a well-respected policy guy. He’s getting a good bit of support and encouragement behind-the-scenes to run for the seat.

2. Danny Garrett: Garrett is the COO at Vulcan Threaded Products. “He’d be a strong candidate,” one insider told Yellowhammer. He and Ciamarra are considered the two most likely successors to Payne.

3. Johnny Amari: Amari is a Birmingham attorney whose dad is a Democrat District Judge in Jefferson County.

4. Joe Freeman: the young and ambitious investment banker with Crews & Associates has Trussville ties (the heart of District 44) and is said to be putting out feelers to see where he may be able to garner support.

3. Update on Senate District 35

After surprising a lot of folks around the state with his 46.5% showing in the SD35 primary, businessman Bill Hightower appears to still be in a strong position as we move closer to the runoff with Rep. Jim Barton. Barton received the endorsement of Nick Matranga, who came in third in the primary. But the hottest unconfirmed rumor is that one of the two candidates has brought in Democrat voter turnout guru Joe Perkins to help their effort. This one is far from over.

4. Tea Party Being Infiltrated?

Yellowhammer has learned that some individuals who have been in and around the Tea Party for years are having money funneled to them by liberal special interest groups.

“I’d compare it to ‘The Americans,” one insider said referencing the new Fox series which follows a seemingly regular American family who are actually Russian spies. “They have successfully infiltrated the conservative grassroots,” the insider continued. “Remember when the rumor started spreading that school choice legislation [charter schools] was connected to gays, lesbians, Muslims, Democrats and abortions? That was carefully orchestrated. That’s just one example of them successfully splitting conservatives on a no-brainer conservative issue. They know they can’t beat us anymore if we’re unified, so they’re spending resources now to buy people on the inside to cause division.”