2018 Alabama Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Walt Maddox: Anti-abortion but pro-law: don't waste time on new laws.

Budget & Economy     Walt Maddox: Fiscal 2018 budget raised rates on services and cut expenses.     Stacy Lee George: Vocational training key to jobs program.     Tommy Battle: $750M in city spending to generate $2.5B private investment.     Chris Countryman: Prepare financially for new, or expanding, state programs.

Civil Rights     Chris Countryman: No discrimination based on orientation or gender identity.     Chris Countryman: Ok to refuse church services to gay couples.     Walt Maddox: Honors Civil Rights History Task Force.     Chris Countryman: Repeatedly sought same-sex marriage license.

Crime     Stacy Lee George: Unburden prisons with path for reformed inmates.     Chris Countryman: Creative and cost effective ways to deter crime.     Walt Maddox: Approved tactical short-term crime reduction strategy.

Drugs     Walt Maddox: Substance abuse should have its own cabinet-level officer.     David Carrington: Education will lower drug use & need for Medicaid.

Education     Walt Maddox: Proposes a state lottery to transform the education system.     Stacy Lee George: Local control but invest in teachers.     Chris Countryman: Cutting the education budget is never a solution.     Chris Countryman: Provide funding for college outside of sports scholarhips.

Energy & Oil     Walt Maddox: Incentives to encourage people & utilities to use solar.

Environment     Walt Maddox: Sees his role as a protector of the natural resources.

Government Reform     Kay Ivey: Prohibit lobbyists from serving in the executive branch.     Stacy Lee George: End corruption; turn Alabama into model state.

Gun Control     Walt Maddox: Refuses to comply with the NRA even if it costs him support.     Stacy Lee George: Unequivocally support the Second Amendment.     Chris Countryman: Favors greater ability to track gun purchases.

Health Care     Walt Maddox: Expand Medicaid so all citizens receive care.     Stacy Lee George: Local control of Medicaid; no single payer.     Chris Countryman: Quality affordable care available to everyone.

Homeland Security     Stacy Lee George: Will focus on caring for veterans.

Immigration     Walt Maddox: Find a compassionate pathway to citizenship.

Jobs     Walt Maddox: Will make workforce training and development his priority.     Tommy Battle: 21st Century Manufacturing Zone Act: 17,000 new jobs.     Chris Countryman: Current minimum wage barely meets worker needs.

Principles & Values     Walt Maddox: Put the principles of people over those of the parties.     Tommy Battle: Conservative values from first job in his dad's restaurant.     Tommy Battle: Longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church.     Chris Countryman: Protect churches but not in non-religious public services.

Tax Reform     Walt Maddox: Make Alabama's tax structure less regressive.     Stacy Lee George: New lottery will raise money at low cost.     Stacy Lee George: Modest changes can ease tax burden.     Robert Bentley: Freeze property taxes for homeowners.     Chris Countryman: Supports targeted spending cuts and tax cuts.

Technology     Walt Maddox: Crumbling infrastructure threatens safety and job growth.     Bill Hightower: 10-year plan for infrastructure.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Bill Hightower Republican U.S. Rep Alabama-1 Chris Countryman Alabama Democratic candidate for Alabama Governor David Carrington Alabama Republican candidate for Alabama Governor Kay Ivey Alabama Republican Alabama Governor Robert Bentley Alabama Republican Governor Stacy Lee George Alabama Republican candidate for Alabama U. S. Governor Tommy Battle Alabama Republican candidate for governor of Alabama Walt Maddox Alabama Democratic candidate for governor of Alabama