Joe McAdory: Iconic hurdle awaits Varner in bid to replace Benefield

Though it’s already been reported, Ashland attorney Greg Varner plans to officially announce his candidacy for the Alabama Senate District 13 seat Monday outside the Clay County Courthouse.

The seat is currently occupied by Kim Benefield, D-Woodland, who will not seek a second term.

Benefield was elected to office in 2006 after a spirited campaign against veteran politician Gerald Dial, R-Lineville. I couldn’t drive to work each morning without hearing a radio commercial from one of the two candidates blasting the other. In fact, it got old.

Though Benefield’s tenure in the Senate has been just one term, it is clear the native of Randolph County, didn’t spend her time in the Statehouse idly. She was flat out busy and continues to introduce legislation before lawmakers in this, her fourth and final go-around. It’s easy to be skeptical of one who can be perceived as a Montgomery rookie, but Benefield exceeded my expectations.

It appears she’s passing the torch, endorsing Varner, the only announced Democratic candidate for the seat.

“There is no other person within the district better suited than Greg to stand up for the values and convictions of the people of Senate District 13,” Benefield said in a statement issued by the Varner campaign. “Greg’s character, courage and spirit of engagement will be a welcomed difference in Montgomery and cause immediate impact for the common good of this state.”

Before Varner can be that stated “welcomed difference,” he must repeat the difficult feat Benefield pulled off four years ago — and that is defeat a legislative icon in Dial.
Varner has not served a term in the Senate.

Dial has served eight of them.

What is more important to the voters, experience or change?

Since we last saw Dial in the 2006 Democratic primary, he was appointed by Gov. Bob Riley to serve as commissioner of the Alabama Rural Action Commission.

Oh yeah, he’s not a Democrat anymore ... or at least he’s not running on the Democratic ticket this time. Was this move purely political?

It will be interesting to see if the voters of Senate 13 choose the Republican Dial this time around. One thing’s for sure: the Ashland (Clay County)-Lineville high school football game each year represents one of the hottest rivalries in the South. With Varner from Ashland and Dial from Lineville, the rivalry is being taken to the campaign trail. Maybe we can keep the personal fouls off of the radio.

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Political enthusiasts hoping to hear a quartet of gubernatorial candidates clash under the same roof have the opportunity at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts when Republicans Bradley Byrne, Kay Ivey, Tim James and Robert Bentley will be asked a number of questions in a forum-style event.

Sponsored by the Lee County Republican Party and Opelika Chamber of Commerce, this figures to offer a very interesting night for anyone interested in the gubernatorial race, whether they vote Republican or Democratic.

If you cannot attend, you will be able to watch the event live on http://www.oanow.com.
Isn’t technology great?

Joe McAdory is editorial page editor for the Opelika-Auburn News. He can be reached at 737-2549 or .