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.

1. Yellowhammer broke the news last week that Cooper Shattuck is leaving the Bentley Administration after a two-year stint as the Governor’s Legal Advisor which is a cabinet-level position. Speculation since then has centered around his possible replacement. George Talbot speculated on Monday in his weekly Political Skinny column that Tuscaloosa lawyer Alyce Spruell, who currently works as director of the state Administrative Office of the Courts, may be in the running. Another name in the rumor mill is Anne Elizabeth McGowin who is currently serving as Chief Deputy Legal Advisor to Governor Bentley.

2. Shelby County’s population boom led to a new House district being added to the county after redistricting. The new House District 73 offers a rare open spot for political newcomers to take a shot at, and Montevallo attorney Matt Fridy is rumored to be eyeing the seat. Yellowhammer recognized Fridy in June as one of the state’s top local leaders and included him on our inaugural Local Leader 20 list. He’s currently an attorney at the Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt law firm and a member of the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee. Folks in Shelby County have been trying to get Matt to run for years. This may be his time. If he jumps in, he will have the Yellowhammer stamp of approval.

3. Several Republican insiders have been surprised at the extent to which Ag Commissioner John McMillan has been openly campaigning for Democrat Lucy Baxley against Republican Twinkle Cavanaugh in the PSC President’s race. While McMillan supported Cavanaugh’s opponent, Kathy Peterson, in the primary, this is a considerably more bold for a Republican office-holder. Party insiders speculated to Yellowhammer that this could be a risky move for McMillan given the Republican Party’s recent willingness to deny qualification to candidates who show support for Democrats at any level.

4. I’ll be on hand for tonight’s Romney fundraiser in Birmingham and will give a full rundown post-event. Also, follow @YHPolitics for real-time updates.