Crime in Alabama’s capital city is emerging as a central issue in the GOP primary for Alabama Attorney General ahead of the May 19 election.
Last week, candidate Katherine Robertson, longtime chief counsel to Attorney General Steve Marshall, raised the possibility of a recall election for Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed in a post on X.
She iterated state lawmakers’ overwhelming criticisms of Reed’s recent assertion that Montgomery does not have a crime problem.
On Tuesday, Robertson’s campaign returned to the subject when former Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange endorsed her in a radio advertisement.
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“Unfortunately, in recent years, violence has raised its ugly head. We’ve all seen what’s happening in our community. More has to be done to ensure the safety of Montgomery,” Strange said in the ad.
“For that reason, I’m backing Republican Katherine Robertson for attorney general. She has stood tall for Montgomery and said ‘enough is enough.’
Katherine has worked in the attorney general’s office for 10 years. I’ve seen her lead and help set up the Montgomery Area Crime Suppression Unit and help pass tough new laws to target gang activity.
Katherine Robertson cares about Montgomery, and she will work with Coach Tuberville to put an end to violent crime and restore law and order. On May 19, join me in supporting Katherine Robertson for attorney general.”
“When Todd Strange was mayor, Montgomery’s police department was fully staffed, and residents had a real sense of safety and security, but the total opposite is true today,” Robertson said in contrast to the tenure of current Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed.
“As attorney general, I am committed to stopping the gunshots, shootings, and murders that have become so commonplace in Montgomery, and I’ll help provide MPD officers with the support, resources, and assistance that the current mayor is denying them today.”
Carter Ashcraft is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. He is a student at the University of Alabama School of Law and has worked professionally across roles in Alabama state government. He can be reached at [email protected].
