The Tuscaloosa News
Historically, political power in the state has rested in the rural counties.
Birmingham has been the home of the “Big Mules,” where the money that fueled the gubernatorial campaigns came from, but very few Birmingham politicians have ascended to governor or U.S. senator. Counties like Barbour and Cullman have been where governors are bred, not imperial Jefferson.
Indeed, the small-town boys who ran for governor would demagogue and make fun of and run against the “Big Mules” of the Magic City, especially, the village of Mountain Brook. Therefore, the legendary kingmakers in the state were the probate judges in the rural counties throughout the Heart of Dixie.
Historically, political power in the state has rested in the rural counties. Birmingham has been the home of the âBig Mules,â where the money that fueled the gubernatorial campaigns came from, but very few Birmingham politicians have ascended to governor or U.S. Senator. Counties like Barbour and Cullman have been where governors are bred not imperial Jefferson. Indeed, the small-town boys that ran for governor would demagogue and make fun of and run against the âBig Mulesâ of the Magic City, especially, the village of Mountain Brook. Therefore, the legendary king makers in the state were the probate judges in the rural counties throughout the Heart of Dixie.