The Alabama Legislature is losing three of its top five most conservative incumbents, according to State Rep. Andrew Sorrell (R-Muscle Shoals).
Sorrell, a regular at the top of the various "most conservative" scorecards based on votes throughout the past legislative sessions, did not seek reelection for his Alabama House of Representatives seat. Barring a major upset, he will likely be elected State Auditor in November.
He is also among the three lawmakers not returning to the lower chamber of the Alabama State House in 2023. Also included are State Rep. Tommy Hanes (R-Bryant), who lost his primary contest, and State Rep. Mike Holmes (R-Wetumpka), who announced he would not seek reelection last year.
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," Sorrell named his list of conservative "who to watch" state representatives for the next quadrennium.
State Reps. Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs) and Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville) were the two incumbents he included. However, he also offered two potential new members of the House: House District 2 Republican nominee Ben Harrison and House District 7 Republican nominee Ernie Yarbrough.
"Yeah, we're losing, I think, three of our top five most-conservative state house members in order of who is ranked on scorecards [who] are not going to be returning," Sorrell said. "I think to answer your question, Arnold Mooney is a strong conservative. He's still in there. Jamie Kiel is emerging as a real strong conservative. We share a portion of Colbert County up here in North Alabama. He lives in Russellville in Franklin County.
"I think there are two new people elected to the legislature I'm really excited about. They're going to be strong fighters for freedom and liberty. That would be future Representative Ben Harrison from House District 2, replacing Lynn Greer. And that would be future Representative Ernie Yarbrough, who is replacing Proncey Robertson in House District 7. So, I would keep an eye on those two names – Ben Harrison and Ernie Yarbrough. I suspect they will rise to the top of all the voting scorecards in Alabama. I definitely think they're going to be top five."
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com.
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