“(I said to them, What is the high place to which you go? So its name is called Bamahto this day.)”
As we head into 2026, a few questions come to mind regarding the great state of Alabama. Though I am the one asking the questions, I neither pretend to possess any prophetic insight nor provide any definitive, technical answers. That is not my style — nor is it (thank God!) my prerogative alone.
All Alabamians, for better or worse, must wrestle with their own answers regarding our state’s fate in light of our past — especially whether the laws, rules, and institutions we have inherited have been good to us and we good to them.
So, consider the following five questions simply as pokes and prods for the people of Alabama to ponder as we enter yet another election year.
In 2026, voters will hear from many politicians vying for Bama’s high places on where we should go and what we should do — and we should be prepared accordingly.
Question 1 — Is Kay Ivey really a legacy governor?
A recent opinion has flowered among longtime watchers of Alabama politics that Governor Kay Ivey is a “legacy governor.”
Though such matters are always up for debate, I sniff a whiff of flattery at play.
Though everyone leaves a legacy, especially governors of states, I can’t help but think Ivey’s legacy will not be long remembered by many — except perhaps prisoners (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Though it is quite easy to lower standards to shoehorn in a flowery honorific on Ivey’s behalf, I prefer to have a much tighter standard when it comes to historic leadership.
Indeed, the only legacy governor that comes to my mind in recent Alabama history is George Wallace. For better or worse, that man was larger than life.
All other modern Alabama governors may have done some good things and left some sort of legacy — including raising gas taxes to fund infrastructure projects — but I say we should expect a little more of our leaders before we award them high honorifics on their way out the door.
Question 2 — Why are Alabama Power’s rates so high?
This question has been percolating in Alabama (another legacy of George Wallace) for years and has only become more pressing amid high inflation nationwide.
Though Alabama Power recently chose to freeze rates for two years through 2027, many folks continue to wonder why the energy monopoly receives such generous returns on equity above the national average while also having among the highest power rates in the Southeast.
“I’m glad to see Alabama Power freezing rates for two years through 2027… but moving forward we have to focus on cutting regulations,” Senator Tommy Tuberville said in a video released in December 2025.
Tuberville continued, “Alabama has the opportunity to lead the nation recruiting new manufacturing and jobs while focusing on a lower cost of living for our citizens and providing them with more opportunities for a higher standard of living. That all starts with energy dominance.”
Perhaps, before the freeze thaws in two years, there should be a simple rule change that requires Alabama Power to be at or below the regional average when it comes to costs charged for fuel, plant operations, purchases from other companies, regulatory compliance, and guaranteed rate of return. Perhaps, such a rule is unfeasible for technical or political reasons I do not know. But one way or another something has to give.
As Senator Katie Britt told 1819 News in November 2025:
“…look, we have the highest power rates in the Southeast. I think that is unacceptable. I think when you’re looking at the fact that we are working so hard to make sure that we are rolling back regulation and that we are creating an opportunity not just for energy independence but truly energy dominance, we want to make sure that is passed on to the consumer.”
Question 3 — Is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL)best serving the people by being allowed to dominate the state health insurance market?
The question of how to handle high health care costs (especially rising premiums!) continues to be a nationwide lament beyond just Alabama.
However, given Blue Cross Blue Shield’s dominant position in the Alabama market, Alabamians should be open to new ideas and encourage their elected officials to shoot for the moon to improve the situation.
Some reforms might help indirectly, such as an overhaul of the Certificate of Need regulations in Alabama. Other reforms might seek to inject competition such as State Senator Arthur Orr’s bill in the 2025 session to allow for ALFA to create self-funded health plans for its members.
Despite BCBSAL protests to the contrary, the insurance company continues to be questioned (as a dominant player should!) for its rate of denials on in-network claims as well as its reimbursement rates to certain hospitals.
Question 4 — Why are some powerbrokers in Alabama so dissatisfied with the current slate of U.S. Senate candidates?
Several candidates have now entered the U.S. Senate race for the GOP nomination to fill the seat vacated by Tuberville — including Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Congressman Barry Moore, Jared Hudson, Morgan Murphy and Rodney Walker.
Though I usually refuse to endorse anyone in any race, I will endorse the current field. No matter who wins the primary among those gentlemen, it’s a win for the conservative voters of Alabama.
Yet, some in Alabama seem to disagree. They (whoever they may be) floated Bruce Pearl and then Paul Finebaum to no avail — and are now courting Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth to run for the open seat. Though I have nothing personally against Ainsworth joining the race, I find myself wondering why the current field isn’t quite pleasing enough to certain interests in Alabama.
It serves as yet another reminder that many choices are made behind the scenes before the people of Alabama ever get a choice at the ballot box.
Politics is a game of elites, even in Alabama — and too often a game of high places.
Question 5 — How might God judge the state of Alabama?
I hesitate to give any answer to this question. I am no Ezekiel — lol.
However, I will echo to the people of Alabama that we should forever avoid high places of idolatry, especially in politics, no matter if “its name is called Bamah to this day.”
Let us in Bama pray God will answer our questions with wisdom so we may know where we should go and what we should do — and that we don’t lead ourselves astray.
Joey Clark is a native Alabamian and is currently the host of the radio program News and Views on News Talk 93.1 FM WACV out of Montgomery, AL, M-F 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. His column appears every Tuesday in 1819 News. To contact Joey for media or speaking appearances, as well as any feedback, please email [email protected]. Follow him on X @TheJoeyClark or watch the radio show livestream.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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