Kay Ivey

On June 1, I will cast my ballot in the primary in Alabama. Now, I am a life-long Democrat. But, I will vote in the Republican primary this time. The reason is Kay Ivey. She is running for lieutenant governor and I want to make sure that she survives the primary and stands before the voters in Alabama in November. I have known Kay since the late 1970s. At that time, I was the city manager in a small west Alabama town desperate for jobs for our citizens. Kay was with the Alabama Development Office, a state agency that assisted in the economic development of Alabama cities. Working with her was a treat – professional, enthusiastic, demanding. I developed an appreciation for her character and felt then that if she ever ran for state-wide office, I would contribute to her effort and vote for her.

Kay and I do not agree on issues. She is a strong conservative Republican. I am a Democrat with conservative fiscal leanings but clearly progressive on social issues. Yet, I do not see the conflict in my decision to vote for Kay.

In Federalist 10, James Madison articulated the nature of a republican form of government. After defining a democracy and a republic, he then said that one of the differences between them is that in a democracy everybody makes social decisions while in a republic, everybody selects a few people to make them. He then goes on to make the critical observation:

The effect of the first difference is, on the one hand, to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations. Under such a regulation, it may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose. On the other hand, the effect may be inverted. Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may, by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people.

What Mr. Madison points out is why the character of our elected leadership is vitally important to the survival of the nation. We are a republic. We elect a select number from among our ranks to make decisions on our behalf. We entrust to them the responsibility to examine the issues that confront the entire community and we place confidence in their collective wisdom to select the right path

As much as some of my Democrat friends detest me saying it, character actually does matter. In fact, I go so far as to say that it is the only real criteria for elected leadership in a republic. Madison gives us the qualities that make a good representative: patriotism and love of justice. Put into other words, does the representative truly care about the continuation of the nation, state, county, or city? And, does the representative truly want to see the “right” thing done? When those criteria are your guiding principles, ideology fades away.

Put into practice, what I am saying is that I expect my representatives to genuinely examine issues. I want them to wrestle with the details and the potential outcomes. I want them to exercise their insight and judgment to make the best decision for the community. Then, I want them to explain it to me. For my part, I promise not to react ideologically; instead, I will listen to the logic and put it in context with what I know to be the character of the person. If I am unhappy with a representative, it is contingent upon me to explain to him/her why and how a decision should be altered. If I am unable to put forth a compelling argument, then I shut up and go home. The type of republic Mr. Madison envisioned was one in which citizenship was an active noun. It is not one in which citizens are spoon-fed edicts from the state. To the contrary, he expected citizens to be engaged and in conversation with their representatives.

As lieutenant governor, Kay will preside over the State Senate and fill in for the governor during his absence. Other than those official duties, Kay can use her considerable energy to press for a better Alabama. I trust her to give issues the due diligence they require and make decisions based on her love of Alabama and her desire to see each Alabama citizen treated fairly and humanely.

I’m voting for Kay Ivey. I hope you do, too.