Jones says he’ll listen to Alabamians
SHEFFIELD — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones shared a vision July 9 of an Alabama government who listens to its constituents and focuses on topics that impact them.
“People in this state are like everybody else in the country — they’re looking to have a better life and a more affordable life,” Jones said during a town hall meeting at a packed International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 588 Hall. “They’re looking for wages that will give them and their families the opportunity to buy groceries and buy gas and have transportation.
“The affordability issue is very real. That is not just a political catchall. It is something that families are talking about every day. Their healthcare costs are going up, they’re losing their insurance. They want a government that is responsive to them. They want to make sure that their governor, that their senators, are paying attention and listening to them.”
Jones, a former U.S. senator in Alabama, is going up against U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated him in the senator’s race in 2020, for the governor’s post in the Nov. 3 general election.
He said he plans to attend town halls throughout his campaign and hopes to debate Tuberville, although he does not think Tuberville is willing to do so.
“We’re going to do things like this all over the state,” Jones said. “That’s the main thing. I think people deserve to have candidates out there talking to them, not talking at them, not calling them names.”
Those attending Thursday were given numbered tickets and Jones would randomly pull ticket numbers and the people with the corresponding number could ask questions. Issues they brought forth varied, including a state education lottery, how a Democratic government would deal with a supermajority Republican legislature, healthcare and infrastructure.
Jones said he supports the lottery.
“I’m all for it,” he said. “That is something Alabama has gotten so far behind on. Alabama sticks out like a sore thumb. We’re the only Southern state without a lottery. People want a lottery.”
He said Alabamians travel to neighboring states to play the lottery.
“That is our money,” Jones said. “It needs to stay in Alabama.”
He said he would approach legislators by reaching across the aisle but being firm.
“I’m going to try to talk to them,” Jones said. “I’m going to sit down and say, ‘Listen guys, I’m the governor now, you’re not. We ought to be able to find some common ground on things we agree on.’” Jones wants to expand Medicaid and said he does not think he is alone in that desire.
“I think there is an appetite in the Legislature to expand Medicaid,” he said. “We will find the money to expand Medicaid.”
Regarding infrastructure, Jones said he would work to bring in funds in all areas of needs.
“I’m going to make sure that we tap into every federal dollar we can, and that’s not just roads,” he said. “For people … it’s their septic tanks. It’s their sewage.”
Jones accused Tuberville, a former Auburn University head football coach, of being divisive.
“Everything is a sports metaphor for him,” he said. “Everything is us versus them, winners and losers. Everything is a game. Well, this ain’t a game folks. Nothing that we’ve talked about tonight is a game — your healthcare, your education, none of that is a game. Your job, your children, none of that is a game. Alabama is not a stadium.”
