Fob James Alabama's Trump Before Trump

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with my old friend and mentor, Fob James, a man who twice served as Alabama's governor and whose legacy still resonates deeply in the corridors of our state's political history. As we reminisced about the battles we fought together when, as his floor leader, we took on the entrenched powers and pushed through critical reforms. While we talked, I was struck by how sharp and insightful Fob remains at 90. His mind is as keen as ever, his focus is now on the pressing issue that he believes threatens the very foundation of our nation: the untenable level of U.S. debt.

In the heart of Alabama politics, where power and influence were tightly guarded by the entrenched "Big Mules" - a coalition of career politicians, the Alabama Education Association (AEA), led by the formidable Paul Hubbert, and the powerful trial lawyers - one man rose to challenge the status quo. Much like Donald Trump, who shook the foundations of Washington with his outsider candidacy, Fob James was a businessman-turned-politician who dared to take on the political establishment and its deep state stronghold in Alabama.

Fob James was not just any candidate; he was a self-made success story. From his humble beginnings, James built Diversified Products into a billion-dollar enterprise, showcasing the same business acumen and determination that would later define his political career. When he decided to run for governor, the Alabama political elite scoffed, much like how the D.C. insiders dismissed Trump. But Fob, with his outsider status and a message that resonated with the everyday Alabamian, proved them all wrong.

In 1978, running as a Democrat in a state where the Republican Party had very little power, Fob James defied the odds and won the governorship, taking on political heavyweights like Attorney General Bill Baxley and Lieutenant Governor Jere Beasley.

His victory was more than just a political upset; it was a clear message to the Big Mules that their grip on power was not unbreakable.

During his tenure, Fob James took on the AEA, challenging the powerful teachers' union that had long dictated education policy in the state. He battled against the trial lawyers who wielded significant influence in Alabama's legal system, implementing court reform and other measures to curb their power. Having fought the establishment in highly contested elections, he fought for honest elections and signed in law Voter ID and absentee ballot reform which helped my father become the first elected Republican Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the history of the state. His efforts were met with fierce resistance, but James never wavered, embodying the same fighting spirit that would later define Trump's battles with the deep state in Washington.

James was not just about rhetoric; he delivered results. He pushed through critical educational reforms, demanding accountability, and higher standards in K-12 education.

He was not afraid to take on tough issues, whether it was the controversial reintroduction of chain gangs in prisons or standing up for states' rights against federal overreach.

Yet, like Trump, Fob James' brash style and willingness to take on the establishment often made him a polarizing figure. His clashes with the media, the legislature, and even his own party reflected a man who was unafraid to speak his mind and challenge the status quo, no matter the cost.

In 1994, in a move that echoed Trump's party-switching pragmatism, James returned to the governorship as a Republican, once again defeating the career politicians who underestimated him. His second term was marked by a fierce defense of conservative values and a relentless push against federal intervention in Alabama's affairs.

Fob James may not have had the smoothest political career, but his legacy is clear: he was a businessman who took on the deep state of Alabama politics and, against all odds, won. His story is a testament to the power of an outsider who is not afraid to challenge the entrenched powers, much like Donald Trump would do decades years later on the national stage.

So, to the Big Mules of Alabama, Fob James was a wake-up call - proof that with determination, courage, and a little bit of audacity, even the mightiest of political machines can be brought down by the will of the people.

Perry O Hooper Jr is a former State Representative who writes columns on his political perspective and has been published in a number of publications around Alabama and beyond. He was an early supporter of Donald Trump and was the 2016 Trump Victory Chair.

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