Alabama Capitol by Jsweida is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

As Alabama primary voters head to the voting booth, they deserve to know where their candidates stand on crucial issues such as taxes and spending. Candidates often campaign in opposition to higher taxes but disregard these principles once they take office.

Fortunately for Alabama voters, these Taxpayer Protection Pledge signers have made written commitments to oppose and vote against all income tax hikes.

Incumbents

  • Kay Ivey (Governor)
  • Clay Scofield (Senate District 9)
  • Shay Shelnutt (Senate District 17)
  • Tom Whatley (Senate District 27)
  • Jimmy Holley* (Senate District 31)
  • Steve Hurst (House District 35)
  • Arnold Mooney (House District 43)
  • Steve Clouse (House District 93)

Challengers

  • Tim James (Governor)
  • Wayne Willis (Senate District 12)
  • Maurice McCaney (House District 1)
  • Kimberly Butler (House District 2)
  • Ernie Yarbrough (House District 7)
  • Keith Davis (House District 13)
  • Frances Taylor (House District 20)
  • Brock Colvin (House District 26)
  • Mack Butler (House District 28)
  • Susan DuBose (House District 45)
  • James Sloan (House District 63)

Americans for Tax Reform offers the Pledge to all candidates for state and federal office. 16 governors and over 1,000 state legislators have signed the Pledge, committing to support and preserve American economic liberty and prosperity in opposing all tax increases. 

“Alabama voters are looking for solutions that get Americans back to work and grow the economy. Signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and holding the line on taxes is the first step in that process,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.

Unfortunately, Democratic candidates for office do not share this commitment. They seek to reverse course and implement backwards tax-and-spend policies that would only stunt economic growth and take more money out of the hands of taxpayers. As to other candidates who ostensibly support tax decreases yet declined to sign the Pledge, their refusal may indicate a weak resolve to stand up for the taxpayer. 

In 2021, Alabama ranked highly in economic momentum as the country recovered from the pandemic. To ensure Alabama’s economy remains strong and continues to grow, it is crucial that its leaders promote lowering taxes and keeping more money in the pockets of its citizens.

Alabama voters deserve strong leaders committed to keeping taxes low and working to lower them. In these inflationary times, it is the people who should be spending their money, not the government. As the economy ramps back up to pre-pandemic levels, Alabamians should vote to roll the tide of economic recovery rather than to prolong economic hardship.

“Voters have a right to know where candidates stand on taxes before heading to the voting booth,” added Norquist. “The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is a simple litmus test that tells voters I’ll work to protect your wallet. I encourage all candidates for elected office to make this commitment today.”  

The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is a written commitment by an elected official or candidate to the voters of his or her state to oppose any tax increase. Americans for Tax Reform has offered the Pledge to all candidates for federal and state office since 1986. For the most up-to-date information on this race or any other, please visit the ATR Pledge Database.

* Senator Holley is not running for reelection.