Whaley Gets Ready For General Election

After the late withdrawal of Jay Dill from the GOP runoff this morning settling who his opponent
will be in the election, Ricky Whaley is now preparing for the final phase of the campaign.

"I have been out talking to people, listening to them about what they think is important and
talking to them about the issues that matter to them," said Whaley. "I campaign on two things,
jobs and education, and that is exactly what folks want to talk about. We have some real needs in our part of Calhoun County, and now is the time to concentrate on those issues."

Since the runoff last week, Whaley has been attacked by the Birmingham operatives of the
Alabama GOP with falsehoods by mail, automated calls, and radio stating he is in the pocket of
Montgomery special interests. Those "special interests" are in reality his fellow teachers and
support persons who work in the district and other parts of the county.

Whaley now understands that many of these attacks were launched with the knowledge that he
was in the general election.

"Those Birmingham boys knew that there wasn't going to be a runoff and they hid that fact from
our local officials for a while. I guess they felt they could take a free shot at me, and they didn't
mind they did it at the expense of Calhoun County taxpayers. It is typical of folks who do not care
about us, and certainly typical of the Birmingham types who do not think the rules apply to
them."

State law (Section 17-13-19) says 'the runoff candidate, as soon as possible and not more than
three days after holding of the first primary election, shall certify his or her declination to enter
such second primary election.' That deadline was Friday, and in the interim state GOP operatives
have been stepping up untrue attacks on Whaley.

"I'm an old ball coach, and I've seen some trick plays in my time. Now I know how they operate
I'll be ready," said Whaley. "The GOP should have to pay restitution to the county. A yellow flag
will not be enough."

Whaley congratulated Brown on his nomination and asked that he join Whaley's pledge to run a
clean campaign. "Just because his backers will throw mud doesn't mean that he and I have to.
There are just too many important things to work on here in Calhoun County to let the old politics
as usual in Montgomery and Birmingham come and take over," said Whaley.