TROY, Ala. (AP) - Political commentator Steve Flowers of Troy has dropped his campaign for the Alabama Public Service Commission after realizing being in politics would damage his ability to analyze it.
Flowers had planned to run in the Republican primary June 3 against incumbent Terry Dunn, but he announced Friday that he was pulling out. Flowers had wanted to continue his work as a political commentator if elected. But he said that after taking to editors, readers and viewers, he realized being in politics would damage his credibility.
“One you become a public official, you lose credibility analyzing politics, and credibility is pivotal,” he said.
Flowers served 16 years in the Alabama House before becoming TV commentator and columnist for about 70 newspapers. He said he would have lost about 20 newspapers and would have had to interrupt his TV work if he had continued his campaign.
“I have decided that my role as critic, columnist and political historian is one where I can have a greater influence and better serve my state,” he said.
Dunn still faces opposition from former Green County Commissioner Chris “Chip” Beeker, Alabama Minority GOP Chairman Phillip Brown and production company owner Jonathan Barbee.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.