Power & Influence Top 5

The Yellowhammer Power & Influence 40 is a list of the 40 most powerful and influential players in Alabama politics. For a more in-depth explanation of the list and how it was compiled, click HERE. To see last year’s list click HERE.

Here are links to other sections of the list:

Names 31-40 (View HERE)
Names 21-30 (View HERE)
“Who’s Next?” a preview of the next generation of power players. (View HERE)
Names 11-20 (View HERE)
Names 6-10 (View HERE)

Robert Bentley | Governor

While much of this list has focused on behind-the-scenes power players, the number one spot requires us to break out of the Montgomery bubble and remember something very important: the vast majority of Alabamians have no idea who these people are. Governor Bentley is the only member of this list who is known by the majority of Alabamians. His notoriety and the bully pulpit of the governorship give him a different level of power.

Looking back, there have been several times over the last 12 months when Bentley did things that only he could have pulled off. He put his full weight behind two constitutional amendments last year and won them both. Don’t forget how hard it is to pass a constitutional amendment in Alabama (Riley Amendment 1, anyone? No-brainer Amendment 4 last year?).

Bentley has really hit his stride over the past year, made some key staff changes and increased his willingness to engage in the legislative process. Let’s also not forget all the powers the governor’s office holds — power of appointment, executive orders, overseeing grants and funding, running 20+ government agencies, deciding where DOT money is spent to name a few.

On top of all that, Bentley’s favorability among Republicans is astronomical. It’s understandable that there hasn’t even been a peep from a possible 2014 opponent.

Mike Hubbard | Speaker of the House

Hubbard displayed uncommon vision when he devised the plan for Republicans to takeover the legislature. Even his detractors concede that he’s probably the only politician in the state who could have executed the number of maneuvers it has taken to reach his current position. He was with many of the current members of the House from the genesis of their political careers. He recruited them to run and raised the money for them to be competitive. In turn they’ve been extremely loyal to him as Speaker.

Hubbard’s fundraising capabilities are unmatched in Alabama state politics. He’s even expanded his fundraising reach outside the state — something that’s almost unheard of for a state legislator. Legislators from 15 Southern states elected him chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference. He’s the only Alabama politico outside of the Governor with established national level political relationships.

The Hubbard brand elicits strong reactions from both sides of the aisle. He has unapologetically spent the last eight years working to defeat Democrats and challenge the status quo, and in the process has taken more arrows than anyone else. He’s become the ultimate Montgomery power player.

Charles McCrary | President & CEO | Alabama Power

McCrary joined the Power Company as an Assistant Project Planning Engineer in 1973. He worked his way up to his current position which he has held since 2001. He oversees APCo’s business operation which is so vast that almost every piece of legislation could affect them in some way. It’s well known that Alabama Power’s political resources are limitless, but there’s another aspect of their success that is often overlooked: brand loyalty. Their responses to recent well-publicized natural disasters have propelled customer satisfaction to an all-time high. That combined with the critical role they play in recruiting jobs has further shielded them from political attacks.

The Power Company’s tentacles reach into every crevice of Alabama state government. They’re the biggest external force in the legislative process, but they also keep tabs on little-known government agencies. And it all starts with McCrary. In a career defined by immense power and influence, McCrary’s power may be at an all-time high.

Del Marsh | President Pro Tem | Alabama Senate

As Senate President Pro Tem, Marsh could easily wrestle for the top spot on this list. He’s number four by choice. His leadership philosophy compels him to delegate and empower others to succeed. Marsh has worked over the last two years to master the balance between staying in control and keeping his Senate colleagues heavily involved.

Marsh had the foresight to prepare for the Republican takeover of the Senate all the way back in the 2006 election cycle, and had the discipline to stick to his plan. He’s a former finance director of ALGOP, and continues to be a fundraising powerhouse. He’s probably the most successful private sector businessman in the legislature. Nobody has a better handle on economic development and private sector job creation.

As Pro Tem, Marsh selects the Chairman of every Senate committee. He also has a designee who sits on every committee, and he’s proven he’s not afraid to use that power to his advantage. Marsh may have the toughest job in Alabama politics trying to manage the oversized personalities on the 7th floor where every vote counts.

Jabo Waggoner | Majority Leader | Alabama Senate

Waggoner is an institution in Alabama politics. He has been in the Alabama legislature since 1966, and is now serving his 6th term in the Alabama Senate. He’s been a stalwart legislator for the Alabama business community for decades. “He’s possibly the single most pro-business legislator in Montgomery,” one insider told Yellowhammer. As Rules Chairman, Waggoner exercises significant discretion over what bills even make it to the floor for debate. That alone would make him top 10, but Waggoner’s added clout makes him top 5. He’s in the middle of his fifth decade in Montgomery and is showing no signs of slowing down.