Battle Brewing in Lauderdale

If not for some fractious local political wrangling, Lynn Greer might have run for State House as a Democrat in 2002. Instead Greer succeeded "Goat" Hamilton and became the first Republican elected to the legislature from Lauderdale county. Understandably state and local Democrats have been eyeing Greer's seat ever since.

Retired lobbyist and Democrat Connie Walden has been in the race for months, but some local Dems have been shopping for an alternative. And after a false start or two, they may have found their candidate.

Three term county commissioner Mike Curtis is weighing the race and some Lauderdale Dems think he's their best shot to oust Greer. Curtis has interest in the race but is still weighing personal considerations against his political goals. Still many state and local Democrats are trying to recruit Curtis into the race and the AEA's polling arm has even conducted a Curtis/Greer matchup (I'm told the poll showed a "dead heat" which would bode well for the challenger).

However, even if Curtis does enter the race he will face a tough fight against against Lynn Greer. Greer has been a political fixture locally as he served on the PSC and even made a run for Congress before his latest stint as a Republican State Rep. Greer's well honed retail political skills will no doubt be accompanied by staunch support from the AL GOP and its allies.

A Curtis/Greer matchup would be one of the premier State House races of the cycle and would give House Dems a chance to offset potential losses elsewhere. Ultimately such a race could be as close and important as any State House race in Alabama.