Alabama politics has many influential people. However, few have risen to the level of long-time political operative Steve Raby.
Raby is a lobbyist, political consultant and a personal confidant to many of Alabama's elected elite.
He has been involved in Alabama politics for well over a decade but more recently rose to prominence after former House Speaker Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) took over following the departure of Mike Hubbard from the speakership.
Raby was the Democratic Party's nominee for Alabama's fifth congressional district in 2010, losing to Mo Brooks. That year saw a monumental change in Alabama politics.
Alabama's legislature switched overnight from a Democrat supermajority to Republican — a phenomenon unheard of in state-level politics.
Since 2016, Raby has worked with candidates across the state to help get them elected to the State House. Generally, when the speaker was interested in a race, that candidate would likely get a call from Raby.
The reactions to that initial contact have been mixed.
According to some candidates who spoke to 1819 News, they felt bullied by Raby into using him or a firm of his choosing to run their race, sometimes even being forced to fire the team they originally had in place with the promise they would have the speaker's support.
Others spoke highly of Raby and owe their political careers to him.
Raby was heavily involved in the previous election cycle. He and now Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) crisscrossed the state stumping for candidates and helping with fundraising.
Politically, it was a great chess match played by Ledbetter. Loyalty can be hard to find in politics, but when you are the deciding factor to get an individual elected, there is a debt that comes with that.
For some lawmakers who had been in office prior to the last election cycle that spoke to 1819 News, they had hoped that Raby would not have the influence he held under the former Speaker with the new Speaker. Some claimed that Ledbetter had told them individually that Raby would not have the same influence.
According to Ledbetter's office, Raby "holds no official position."
Charles Murry, Ledbetter's spokesman, responded, "Mr. Raby holds no official position with the Office of the Speaker. In the past, he has served as a consultant on Speaker Ledbetter's campaigns, most recently in 2020. The focus of Mr. Raby's work with the House Republican Caucus is supporting members through fundraising efforts. He has played a vital role in increasing the republican majority from 72 to 77 members. He remains a close friend to the speaker, as well as numerous other members of the Republican caucus."
1819 also reached out to Raby for comment to discuss his role.
“I hold no official role with the Speaker’s Office," Raby told 1819 News. "I do help members of the Republican caucus with campaigns and fundraising efforts. I have worked with pollsters to conduct surveys and present info to the caucus. No House member campaign has ever paid me anything.”
He added, “I like to think I work at helping people. In the last couple of cycles, I’ve helped widen the Republican majority in the House.”
Recently, a letter from an unknown group called the Liberty League Foundation circulated around the State House, criticizing Raby and Ledbetter, insinuating that both were Democrats in Republican disguise.
The letter stated there was no way to determine when Raby changed parties. However, Alabama does not have party registration.
Although the letter stated it had no position on the current gaming legislation, it did point to Raby's influence. It asked why the legislation was being presented, for what reason and for whom.
1819 News attempted to reach out to the Liberty League Foundation. However, the address listed is to an abandoned home in Montgomery, the phone number is disconnected, and they are not registered with the Secretary of State.
Richard Moore signed the letter, but there is no way to determine who he is exactly without further information.
Raby remains an institution in Montgomery and continues to run the House Republicans' campaign arm.
He has built strong relationships with leadership, and they trust him. The breaking of that bond would not be easy.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email Bradley.cox@1819news.com.
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