Jeff Martin

Alabama

Publisher and Columnist at Montgomery Independent

Publisher: The Montgomery Independent & INDY Magazine. Columnist. Lobbyist. Realist. Dad of a teenage daughter. Sometimes 🏖️ bum. WDE.✌🏻

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Articles

Tuberville's Move Shakes Up Statewide Election Plans

2 weeks ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

The guessing game is about to end for political pundits who love speculating about who might run for what. We're now less than a month away from the magic date when candidates can start raising money-and begin announcing their intentions for the 2026 election cycle. This week's big political buzz? Florida resident and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville appears to be all-in as a candidate for governor. Some insiders even believe a Trump endorsement could clear the field of any viable primary opponents.
Jimmy Pool Adjourns His Legal Career

1 month ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

I congratulate Judge Jimmy Pool on his recent retirement after a successful legal and judicial career. I consider him a good friend and a wonderful person. I first met Jimmy when I was working for Jere Beasley in the late 80s, and we continued our friendship over the years through our politics and family. Jimmy has done many great things, but by far the smartest was marrying Carol in 1993.
We Didn't Elect a President, We Crowned a King

1 month ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

Eleven weeks into Donald Trump's return to the White House, and it's complete chaos. The daily headline's provide nothing but headaches and anxiety. Trump, now a convicted felon, has pardoned the January 6th rioters-including those who assaulted police officers. He's floated seizing Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal.
New Website, Trump Tariffs, Legislature & Gambling

1 month ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

Join us behind the paywall and check out the new look of our website. Subscribing is easy and we accept PayPal. The Montgomery Independent is a weekly print publication, but we post news daily online. Be sure to visit often for your daily dose of local sports, news, commentary, and community happenings.
Across The Publisher’s Desk

1 month ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

Sunshine WeekThe Good:Supported by Governor Kay Ivey and sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and Rep. Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa), the bill sets specific timelines that public entities in Alabama must follow when responding to public records requests. It marks the most significant amendment to Alabama’s public records law in over fifty years. The Bad:We still have a long way to go when it comes to transparent government. Some in the Legislature want to remove public notices from newspapers.
The Water Cooler - March 2025

2 months ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

Tuberville vs. Ainsworth? Senator Tommy Tuberville has sounded the alarm that he is giving strong consideration to a run for governor, but his potential candidacy will not clear the field of challengers. Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth responded to the news with a social media post: “I’ve been eating my Wheaties and getting into running shape.
Weed, Business Licenses, and Tweets From The Throne

2 months ago | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

Big changes are coming to The Montgomery Independent. The most notable will be our new website, debuting in the next couple of weeks. The redesign is optimized for phones and tablets, which is how most people get their news these days. The new site will also require a subscription, but if you're reading this in our print edition, your current subscription includes full digital access—as well as our quarterly magazine, INDY.
Legislature, Space Command, and Trump Return

Feb 4, 2025 | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

I’ve been down with the crud for the last week, causing me to miss a scheduled dentist appointment after having some wisdom teeth pulled a few months ago. Just my luck—over the weekend, I began experiencing what felt like a new tooth growing where a wisdom tooth had been. After a quick Google search, I self-diagnosed with hyperdontia, something so rare that spell check doesn’t even recognize it.
Tuberville, Trust, and Beach Snow

Jan 28, 2025 | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

Every week, I will strive to bring you a mix of stories that matter, observations that make you smile, and a little political intrigue to keep things spicy. This week is no different, so let's dive in. Tommy "Gaslighting" TubervilleLike many Americans, on January 6, 2021, I was glued to the television, staring in disbelief as I watched the attack on our U.S. Capitol. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is trying to convince us that what we witnessed that day was an optical illusion.
We’ve Moved, and the Website is Getting a Facelift

Jan 23, 2025 | montgomeryindependent.com | Jeff Martin

At the moment, I find myself wrapped in a blanket, staring at the newly named Gulf of America, deciding whether to head north while I still can or remain in hope for snow on the beach tomorrow. I’m leaning toward the latter. I mean, how often does it snow at the beach? I am not one to make New Year’s resolutions; however, I am committed to getting back in the habit of writing my column weekly, as opposed to sporadically.