By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Education Association is headed by two Democratic Party officials, but it has become the hot issue in the Republican race for governor.
Republican candidate Bradley Byrne says AEA is working with one of his opponents, Tim James, to fund attack ads. Byrne says James would be AEA's kind of governor.
James says he had nothing to do with the ads. He says Byrne's criticism is a sign that people are recognizing Byrne's past record as a Democrat.
AEA Executive Secretary Paul Hubbert says AEA helped fund the ads. He says Byrne called out AEA early in the campaign, and AEA decided to fight back.
Hubbert and AEA Associate Executive Secretary Joe Reed are vice chairmen of the Alabama Democratic Party.