While most would acknowledge Alabama's state government leaves much to be desired, Alabama Republican gubernatorial candidate Lew Burdette takes it further and says the apparatus is "corrupt."
During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," Burdette lambasted Montgomery, calling it a "system of political payoffs and favors" and vowed to be "out front" leading to clean it up.
"Why aren't we out front taking bold positions, being a courageous leader, leading the nation and not holding our finger up in the air and saying, 'Which way is the wind blowing today?' 'Oh, I can't make this group mad, I owe them," said Burdette. "Oh, I can't make that group mad over there. I owe them.' You know, this system of political payoffs and favors and influence in Montgomery has got to end. That's why I'm fighting corruption. I just think we have a corrupt environment in Montgomery."
Burdette said he believes Alabama is the fourth-most politically-corrupt state in the state. He has limited his campaign contributions to $10,000 and encouraged other candidates to do the same.
"We're one of five states that allow unlimited contributions and it's just wrong," said Burdette. "It buys favor. It buys influence. And that's why I'm limiting my campaign contributions to just $10,000. People said, 'Lew, you're crazy because it's not a level playing field.' But you've got to walk the walk, right Jeff?"
When asked to elaborate on the corruption charge, Burdette said to "follow the money" and offered the 2019 gas tax increase through the Rebuild Alabama Act.
"The current governor never campaigned on raising gas tax 56%," Burdette explained. "[It was] never debated. [She's] not campaigning this time with other gubernatorial candidates. We were all in Cullman last night. And everyone was probably wondering where the current governor was and she hasn't shown up for any of them. Didn't debate in '18 and is not going to debate this time, it seems like, never shows up for any of these events. And a strong leader is out front."
Burdette went on to claim the gas tax hike was a "political payoff" to a specific group.
Funds from the gas tax have been distributed through the Rebuild Alabama plan to counties and municipalities for road improvements, although many municipalities claim they have had to find additional sources of funds to finish projects because the funds from the initiative have not been enough to finance the road work.
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