GUNTERSVILLE — Alabama's next lieutenant governor will have less responsibility than in years past due to a recent Senate rules change, but candidate John Wahl said he's "not that concerned" that the change will impact his influence.
Last week, the Senate unanimously passed a rules change to limit some of the lieutenant governor's appointing and administrative authority.
"I'm not that concerned about them taking some of the powers away, and I say that because the lieutenant governor position within the Senate already does not have a lot of constitutional power. And I'm actually OK with that," Wahl, the former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, said Tuesday during a Republican club meeting in Guntersville.
He said building coalitions and relationships was his strength and preferred method of influence, rather than using power or rules to force issues through.
"If you can't win an argument, and you can't advance good policy through a good argument, then trying to force it with the power of rules in the Senate probably isn't going to work anyway, because you're not going to get through the House. A successful lieutenant governor needs to have the ability to have good relationships across the board."
As the chair of the Senate, Wahl said the lieutenant governor's position acted as a "bridge" between the executive and legislative branches.
"That's a really important role because we're going to have a very outspoken, very bold governor coming in with Tommy Tuberville. And he's got a lot of things that he wants to accomplish. He's going to need a good wingman in the Senate, and I'm going to be that wingman."
Wahl said he's worked with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) during Tuberville's first Senate campaign. Wahl also touted his relationship with the White House and President Donald Trump, who had already endorsed Wahl.
"I think the more important job of the lieutenant governor is being a good ambassador for good policy and having the ability to work around rules, whether they were there or not. So, I'm not that concerned about it," Wahl said.
A recent poll has Wahl's opponent, Secretary of State Wes Allen, leading the lieutenant governor's race, 16% to 9%, with 66% still undecided. The primary is set for May 19.
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