State congressman may run for governor
MONTGOMERY — Terry Everett's retirement from Congress may not be a farewell to politics.
The 2nd District representative from Rehobeth says he's considering entering the Republican primary for governor in 2010.
Everett made the comments Monday in Daleville, where he endorsed Republican nominee Jay Love to replace him in the U.S. House. Everett declined further comment Tuesday, his spokesman, Mike Lewis, said in Washington.
Everett, 71, has served 16 years in Congress. He announced in September 2007 that he had decided to retire after having two bouts with shingles that caused nerve damage to his right foot.
Republican Gov. Bob Riley has served two terms and can't run for another term in 2010.
State Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard said Tuesday he expects a strong field of Republicans to enter the race to replace Riley.
"Congressman Everett would be included in that," said Hubbard, who is also considering a run for governor.
Hubbard said he doesn't think health or age will be issues if Everett decides to re-enter politics.
"Congressman Everett has proven he's got the energy and vitality to be successful in Washington," Hubbard said.
Greenville businessman Tim James is the only Republican who has said he will definitely run for governor in 2010. Other Republicans who say they have been encouraged to consider the race include two-year college Chancellor Bradley Byrne, Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Attorney General Troy King, State Treasurer Kay Ivey, and former lieutenant governor candidate Luther Strange.
If Everett runs for governor, he would follow the example of Riley, who served six years in the U.S. House before making his first bid for governor in 2002.
Jess Brown, a political scientist at Athens State University, said the record nationwide is not good for House members trying to move to the governor's office. He recalled the unsuccessful race in 1990 by Ronnie Flippo, a Democrat who was popular in his north Alabama congressional district but could not expand his popularity statewide.
Brown said Everett is well known in his district, which stretches from Montgomery to Dothan. "But he's never run statewide and I've never seen anything in his record that allowed him to build a network statewide," Brown said Tuesday.
Brown said Everett would likely try to build on the same southeast Alabama base as Troy's Hawkins.
Everett's term ends in January. He told the Montgomery Advertiser on Monday in Daleville that he has "plenty of time" to decide about 2010.
Campaign finance reports show that Everett had more than $806,000 left in his congressional campaign account as of last month. Everett said he plans to make a donation to Love, but plans to hold on to the remaining money in the event he decides to enter "a future race."
Election laws allow candidates to transfer money from a federal campaign account to a race for state office, Hubbard said.
