Alabama's Davis could boost Democrats

ALABAMA: Time: Can Alabama bring about a Democratic revival in the South?

Rep. Artur Davis, the four-term congressman from Alabama, is starting his campaign for the 200 gubernatorial race -- and is considered the candidate who could bring about a Democratic revival in the South.

Nearly 40 of the nation's governor's seats will be open between now and November 2010; in the South, the governor's races in Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and in Alabama will be key tests of whether the Democrats can extend their recent gains.

If elected, Davis' win would land another blow to what remains of the G.O.P.'s racially divisive Southern Strategy. He would also be only the third black elected governor in American history, the second from the South.

Peggy Wallace Kennedy, George Wallace's daughter, drew headlines recently for endorsing Davis, and says, "I believe he'll be one of the best governors we've ever had." Asked what her father would say about the prospect of a black governor, she adds, "He'd just say, 'It's the future,' and I think he'd be okay with it."

It's a political race to watch.

Also in the South:

ARKANSAS: Commentary on state legislature's defeat of sovereignty resolution

FLORIDA: State legislature keeps jobless rules intact, declines some stimulus funds

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue, Rep. John Lewis comment on necessity of Voting Rights Act

KENTUCKY: State's summer youth jobs program gets $15 million in stimulus funds

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal opens 2009 legislative session with talk of teamwork

MISSISSIPPI: Proposed 43-mile long rail line could link ports with east Mississippi

NORTH CAROLINA: State lottery as a tool for collecting back-taxes, child support

SOUTH CAROLINA: Budget battle continues in the legislature

TENNESSEE: House passes bill that bans texting while driving

VIRGINIA: Farmland disappearing at faster rate in Virginia

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