2016 AL Senate race: on Principles & Values


Richard Shelby: Judeo-Christian values should guide all that we do

Q: Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

Shelby: As a lifelong Presbyterian, I strongly believe that our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values and that those values should guide all that we do. Throughout my tenure in public office, I have consistently fought for conservative principles. I know that the best form of government is one that is smaller and less intrusive.

Q: Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which political philosophy best describes you?

Shelby: Very Conservative

Q: Please defend your answer by referencing your publicly available track record.

Shelby: I currently have an 87% conservative rating from Heritage Action, an A+ lifetime rating from the NRA for protecting the Second Amendment, and an A+ lifetime rating from Numbers USA for my strong record on immigration. I have also received the "ACU Conservative Achievement Award" from the American Conservative Union.

Source: 2016 AFA Action iVoterGuide on 2016 Alabama Senate race Nov 8, 2016

Richard Shelby: OpEd: Voter presidential angst overcome in Senate primary

Sen. Richard Shelby won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate Tuesday night, beating back an unprecedented four challengers and proving that voter angst in the presidential campaign did not translate to the Senate race. Facing the biggest challenge of his Senate career, Shelby in short order built a fierce re-election machine that flooded the state with reminders of his conservative credentials and responded in kind to a challenger who attacked his character.

Jonathan McConnell, a 33-year-old former Marine, attacked Shelby's age, longevity, record and ethics. On Sunday, he campaigned at the door to the Donald Trump rally hoping to tap into those GOP voters angry with the establishment. In the end, the anti-Shelby vote splintered among McConnell and the other three challengers. And more notably, the results indicate that even some passionate Trump voters turned their ballots over and chose Shelby.

Source: Montgomery Advertiser on 2016 Alabama Senate race Mar 1, 2016

Richard Shelby: OpEd: Makes Obama the icon of our xenophobia

The rhetoric of U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, the 81-year-old incumbent fending off several Republican challengers in the primary, often is disturbing. In his ubiquitous campaign ads, he panders to our least-rational fears. He recognizes our trepidation about people who look or sound different than us, and he plays it to maximum political advantage.

The Republican fights President Barack Obama--who has been made the icon of our xenophobia--"every hour of every day," according to a commercial he is running. And there's some truth to that. On issues where the Obama administration has stated a position, according to a recent study by Congressional Quarterly, Shelby voted against the White House 63.9 percent of the time. He leads the Senate in that statistic.

His opposition to a U.S. Supreme Court nominee that Obama has not even selected is a recent example of his blind opposition to the president. It may be a politically savvy strategy, but it interferes with the efficient workings of government

Source: Decatur Daily on 2016 Alabama Senate race Feb 26, 2016

Ron Crumpton: Constitution forbids God in the public sphere

Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Keep God in the public sphere"?

A: Strongly disagree. The constitution is very specific on this issue.

Source: Email interview on 2016 Alabama Senate race with OnTheIssues Nov 26, 2015

  • The above quotations are from 2016 Alabama Senate race: debates and news coverage.
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Candidates and political leaders on Principles & Values:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018