The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – State Representative Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) joined hosts Brandon Moseley and Harry Still III on the Heart of Dixie Podcast to discuss the powerful forces from both political parties that are supporting her primary opponent - Alicia Escott Lumpkin.
Givan was first elected in 2010 and has served House District 60 for four terms; but she is being outraised by Lumpkin. Givan – the incumbent - has raised $51,000; but Lumpkin has raised $186,136.38 to date. The third candidate, Nina Taylor has only raised $8,517.20.
Interestingly, the Sports Betting Alliance is heavily involved in this race by donating to the Republican controlled North Alabama PAC. The North Alabama PAC is run by political consultant Steve Raby – whose most important client is Republican Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville). Why are gambling dollars being used in a Democratic primary and why are they being directed there by the chief political lieutenant of the Republican Speaker of the House. Rep. Givan commented on this in the far-ranging podcast.
Givan has a bachelor's degree from Miles College and a law degree from Miles School of Law. She is an attorney and owns the law firm Givan & Associates.
Rep. Givan ran for Mayor of Birmingham in 2025 against incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin – earning her the enmity of Woodfin. Since that election, Woodfin has tasked his team of political consultants, Iron City Communications, with managing the campaigns of the opponents of his political enemies.
At least three of the five principals in Iron City Communications are also well compensated employees of the City of Birmingham – including candidate for Alabama Democratic Party Chair Joshua Coleman. Coleman and Ushe Bean did not disclose their ownership of Iron City Communications on their 2024 Statement of Economic Interests report. Iron City has also done political consulting for Woodfin and council members – even though three of the owners were/are city employees.
These facts were previously exposed in a hard hitting investigatory piece by the Alabama Gazette. This podcast was Givan's first response to these revelations.
Alabama Legislature pays $62,212 a year.
The Democratic Party Primary is on May 19.
The primary is winner take all as there is no Republican candidate.
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