The survey conducted July 22nd shows Bentley with a 3 to 1 edge among independents.

Similar to an Alabama Senate survey released yesterday, if you think the economy is improving you’re more likely to support the Democrat. If you think the economy is declining, you back the Republican.

Fifty-seven percent approve of the job Bob Riley is doing as governor.

Read more of Rick Journey’s blog here.

Republican Sen. Richard Shelby comfortably leads Democrat William Barnes (59% – 29%) in the latest Rasmussen Reports survey.

Shelby enjoys 91% support from Republicans and a “four to one” lead among independents.

Rasmussen finds only 9% rate the economy good or excellent.

Read more of Rick Journey’s blog here.

This morning on FOX6 Good Day Alabama, Sparks congratulated Rep. Robert Bentley on securing the Republican nomination in his runoff contest with Bradley Byrne (watch Byrne’s concession speech).

Be honest.

Three months ago, unless you were directly involved in the Bentley or Sparks campaigns, you didn’t see this as the general election matchup.

Sparks says he and Bentley did.

He says they discussed their chances several times during the many gubernatorial forums.

Sparks says he would prefer not to go negative, but will defend himself in the Fall campaign.

“I dont believe Dr. Bentley will go negative, but I certainly believe the leadership of the party would like to do that,” Sparks says.

As for the Republican nominee, Bentley says “Im not going to go negative against my opponent. We’re going to talk about real issues and I believe that’s what Ron Sparks will do also.”

“He has a little more liberal views… we’ll sort that out.”

Bentley also expects Republicans to unite behind him after a runoff campaign that saw many high-profile Republican office holders publicly back Byrne.

“I’m a healer… we’re going to unite the party again.”

Read more of Rick Journey’s blog here.

Fellow south Alabama Republican Jo Bonner is endorsing him. The statement is already on the Byrne campaign website.

Alexander Burns at Politico posted the story early this AM.

It follows Thursday’s endorsement by 6th district congressman Spencer Bachus. His statement was also posted on the Byrne campaign website.

Interesting piece from Quin Hilyer (formerly of the Mobile Register) on today’s American Spectator website.

Hilyer looks at the Bentley-Byrne matchup and a conservative’s view of the stakes in the fall campaign for Attorney General.

Read more of Rick Journey’s blog here.

The Baselice and Associates poll on behalf of Public Strategy Associates shows Bentley 53% to Byrne’s 33%.

The survey shows Bentley leading in every category from “very conservative” to “moderate/liberal,” male and female, 18 to 70+.

Baselice finds Bentley with a comfortable lead even in the Mobile television market where Byrne lives.

Read the full poll here.

Earlier Thursday, the Byrne campaign promoted an internal poll that showed Byrne leading Bentley by a four point average for this week.

In the Republican runoff for Agriculture Commissioner, 45-percent say they are undecided. That leaves the race wide open for Dorman Grace (28%) and John McMillian (27%).

Read more of Rick Journey’s blog here.

Smoot is in the Democratic runoff with Terri Sewell for the congressional race to replace Artur Davis.

The winner faces the winner of a Republican runoff in a heavily Democratic district.

This morning on FOX6 News Good Day Alabama, Smoot talked about her plans to find jobs for the 7th district.

She also criticized the state’s efforts to shutdown e-bingo at Greenetrack, an operation found to be illegal gambling by the task force on illegal gambling set up by Gov. Riley.

Smoot says the 400 jobs lost by the seizure of 800 e-bingo machines will create a strain of thousands of other jobs.

“(You) just don’t do it in that matter,” Smoot says, “come in with a plan of action to replace what was taken away.”

Read more from Rick Journey’s blog here.

Sewell will appear on Tuesday’s Democratic runoff ballot with rival and Jefferson county commissioner Sheila Smoot.

This morning on FOX6 News Good Day Alabama she said a key to creating jobs and jumpstarting the economy must focus on adequately spending money from the current stimulus.

She says she is encouraged by the potential to “secure more federal dollars for green manufacturing jobs” in the Black Belt.

Sewell finished first in the June 1st primary, but failed to secure the nomination.

Campaign finance reports show the political newcomer and Smoot have been busy raising money in the weeks since the primary.

Two men, Don Chamberlain and Chris Salter, are in the Republican runoff to appear on the November ballot in this heavily Democratic district.

Read more of Rick Journey’s blog here.

Own Two Feet comes eight days before the Republican runoff for governor.

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James said he wants to encourage the legislature to look into election reform during their next session in 2011. He noted that it is better to have answers before a recount happens rather than to decide the answers during the process. Charging the state to look forward and find a way to elect good people in the fall, James said he was not sure what the future held for him. With a big smile, James said he knew one thing for certain, he can be found in Greenville for the next few weeks.