Siegelman works to raise political profile

[Freddie Stubbs]

Wednesday, January 12, 2005
TOM GORDON
News staff writer

Former Gov. Don Siegelman, who said a tossed-out federal case against him was all about next year's elections, is seeking to raise his political profile in the weeks ahead.

In an e-mail sent out this week, Siegelman, who narrowly lost a re-election bid to Republican Bob Riley in 2002, has invited friends and past supporters to attend his first "Governor's Listening Post" in Huntsville on Jan. 19. Other such sessions, "to discuss the critical issues facing our state and our nation," are planned in the future, Siegelman said.

Longtime Siegelman watchers say the former secretary of state, attorney general, lieutenant governor and governor, is beginning another bid for the state's top job. Alabama voters elect a governor, legislators and a number of other statewide officials in 2006.

"Don Siegelman is running for governor," said state Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham. "He's going around to different churches and going to public places and being very active. That's what he knows better than anything else - how to campaign."

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